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#WonderWednesday: Grace Shares the "Wonder" of It All in Cypress, TX

Grace Anto started the school year off with a bang by sharing her story at Rennell Elementary School in Cypress, TX on October 28th. After reading the book "Wonder" Grace spoke about her real-life experience living with a craniofacial condition. Her teachers said the presentation, "was very engaging for our students. They felt like they could really relate to her because of all of the similarities she pointed out between herself and them." 

This year marks the second year that Grace shared her story with the fifth graders at the Rennell School. Here teacher said her impact was palpable, noticing its continued lessons reverberating to conversation the day after the assembly, "Her confidence has already inspired my 5th graders to reach out to people they don't know and get to know them, or make them feel included. My 5th graders kept mentioning her ICQ strategy today (Introduce, Compliment, and Question). Some of them even said they have already tried this strategy at school or extra-curricular activities!"



Keep impressing that important message on everyone who that will listen. Thanks

#WonderWednesday: Angie and Marco Visit Armstrong School For Fourth Time

Angelica and Marco Garcia spoke to 120 eager students at Neil Armonstrong Academy. This was their fourth visit to the school in as many years to talk to the students about what life is like living with a facial difference. The students read the book "Wonder" and Marco and Angelica's assembly was part of one-of-a-kind learning experience where R.J. Palacio's book was brought to life through their presence and words at the school. Thank you Angie and Marco for your continued service to CCA and the students of Utah. If you are interested in having an adult or child with a facial difference   come to your school while reading "Wonder," please contact Khadija Moten, [email protected] or fill out this form. If you are an adult or child with a facial difference and want to share your story, you should go to our speaker's bureau website.  

Here is what Angie had to say about the experience at Neil Armstrong Academy: 
It was so WONDERful to see the new batch of 6th graders this week! It was our 4th time coming and it just gets better every time ☺️ We love the innocent honesty of children and wish more adults could learn from that. We had encouraged them to ask us ANY question their hearts desire. One child asked if we were going to have more children and a few classmates shushed them, but we thanked him for asking that question and I answered that hopefully through adoption "yes."  And R.J. will always be our first child and his passing didn’t stop us from the idea of giving more dear children a stable loving home and family. We also emphasized that we are not limited to adopting children with Apert syndrome. I’ve noticed that with adults too, they assume that we will just focus on adopting kids with Apert syndrome. If the time comes that we are in a place financially and legally to adopt, if there’s a child that wants us to adopt them regardless of our looks and there is equal love and a positive dynamic present, then we are so going to adopt them. #heartsforRJ #wonder #choosekind #cam2019 #teachthekids

#WonderWednesday: Mom and PJ Visit Manhattan Beach California Elementary School to Raise Awareness

PJ and his Mom Crystal visited Grand View Elementary School in Manhattan Beach California on May 30th about facial differences, anti-bullying, and empathy-building.

The students and staff at Grandview were so moved that they made a donation to CCA in PJs honor. There were a number of students in attendance for the presentation which featured Crystal speaking about PJ trials and triumphs living with Treacher Collins syndrome, just like Auggie in the book "Wonder."

CCA has children and parents from all over the country speak at local schools, scouting gatherings, and churches to spread the word about kindness.We share our stories and experiences in the hope that we influence children and teens in the audience to choose and be kind in their daily interactions with all people.

We are all beautifully different in our own way. Thank you, PJ and Crystal for helping us share this message through telling your story around the country.

#WonderWednesday: Grace Shares Her Story Via Skype with Virginia Students

Grace Anto spoke to seventh and eighth grade Frances Hazel Reid Elementary School students in Leesburg, Virginia. Grace spoke about her facial difference and shared her personal experience as it relates to the book Wonder. She also went above and beyond, teaching the students about ICQ (introduce, compliment, and question), interpersonal skills to help improve the students relationships with one another. The teach tweeted, "Grace has a craniofacial condition. We were so lucky to Skype with her today.Always be kind and just because someone may look different doesn’t mean they don’t like or can do the same things you do."

Another teacher reflected on the Skype experience, too. She said, "Loved that Grace started by making connections with the students about what they had in common. This was an amazing presentation and SKYPE experience that the students and teachers will never forget! Grace touched many hearts at FHR.” Thank you, Grace for being of service to our community and sharing how to choose kind! 

#WonderWednesday: Christine Clinton Speaks to Pennsylvania Students

Christine Clinton visited Pen Ryn School in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. Christine's personal story of her life with Apert syndrome brought the book, "Wonder" to life for over 80 students between the ages of 11 to 14. The middle schoolers asked questions and engaged with Christine about bullying, kindness, and acceptance. The themes of the New York Times bestselling book by R.J. Palacio and Christine's presentation reflected well on the school's mission to nurture, empower, and encourage its students in the pursuit of excellence.

One of the Pen Ryn School's teachers commented on Christine's presentation saying, "Christine shared her story with our students, and encouraged them to be kind and get to know each person for who they are, rather than judging them based on how they look. Everything was great! Christine's story is worth hearing by students and adults of all ages. Building an understanding, and hearing her bravery was inspiring."

                               

#WonderWednesday Fun Photo Collage, Pete and Dede Visit Capistrano Unified School District!

Laderra Ranch School 

Peter and Dede Dankelson visited the Capistrano Unified School District in California during spring break a few months ago. They spoke at a eight schools in the district and visited the Global Genes offices, spreading their message of kindness and acceptance. We hope you enjoy these images from their trip to SoCal. 

Many thanks to the educators, teachers, and students in the Capistrano Unified School District for their support. Keep choosing kind in everything you do!

Alisa Viejo School 

Aliso Viejo School 

Arroyo Vista School 

Don Juan Avila School 

Global Genes Offices

Don Juan Avila School

Global Genes

Las Flores School

Shore Cliffs School 

Dinner with friends!
Peter Dankelson, Morgan Mecklenberg, and Madelaine

St. Junipero Serra Catholic School

Vista Del Mar School 

#WonderWednesday: Rasheera Dopson Inspires Georgia Students

Photo Credit: Bobby Haven, The Brunswick News 

Rasheera drove four hours to share her story with over 250 middle school students at Risley Middle School in Brunswick, Georgia. She spoke about living with and advocating for people born with facial differences like her. Rasheera was born with Goldenhar syndrome. Her words were "inspiring and kept our students engaged throughout her entire presentation," said one Risley Middle School teacher. 

In honor of Rasheera's visit to their school, students held a lucrative "penny war" where they raised $500 for CCA. We are all so grateful for Risley students' generosity.

Not only were the teachers and students impressed, but the local newspaper covered Rasheera's stirring story, too. They also took some amazing pictures of Rasheera in action as she worked the packed gymnasium of students who recently read the book "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio.

Many are reading Palacio's New York Times bestselling book, which was made into a film in 2017. CCA urges schools, teachers, church groups, Girl Scout Troops, and others to contact them to recommend a speaker that lives near them. We also have a number of lesson plans for "Wonder" and curriculum for other grade levels that accompany other books on empathy, anti-bullying, and kindness. You can learn more about all these educational offerings on our website under the "Educators" menu tab. 

#WonderWednesday: Zachary Dunn Dazzles at Richmond, Virginia School

Zachary Dunn and his Mom and Dad, Jeff and Whitney were invited to speak at Seven Hills School for just under 100 middle school students in March. The students recently read the book "Wonder" in their classes before they heard the Dunns bring the story to life Zachary was born with Treacher Collins syndrome. August Pullman in the book "Wonder" has a similar facial difference. They shared ways their lives as parents have changed after having Zachary. Students learned from the Dunns how to be more empathetic and accepting, and encouraged everyone to always choose kind.

The feedback from the teacher gave high praise to Zachary's parents' ability to share their personal experience of having a toddler born with Treacher Collins syndrome.

"The Dunns were so engaging and made an instant connection with the audience.  They had them participate and contribute to the conversation and that goes a long long way with this audience."

#WonderWednesday: Madisyn Helps Western Pennsylvania Students Choose Kind

Madisyn and Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School teachers. 

Editor's Note: Many thanks to Madisyn! She encouraged her school to #choosekind. Teacher Audrey Buban shares what it is like to have Madisyn in the classroom in the text below.

Thank you for your amazing fundraising, too. $800 is a huge amount. What an impact you are having! Just think, everyone who purchased one of those bracelets has a reminder on their arm at all times to #ChooseKind. You are making the world a better place one wrist at a time. 

Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School within the Seneca Valley School District has been spreading the awareness and acceptance of craniofacial conditions. We were motivated to action by one of our first grade students. Her name is Madisyn and she has Crouzon Syndrome. This year we watched her undergo yet another surgery with an inspiring level of positivity and bravery. Over the past two months we have:

1) Read and discussed the books "Wonder" and "We Are All Wonders" by R. J. Palacio during class meetings.

2) Made a school-wide kindness chain with an act of kindness described by each of our students on each link of the chain.

3) Had the wonderful pleasure of having Nick Weise (an amazing gentleman who has a craniofacial condition)  come and share his story with our school.

4) Raised $800 for the Children’s Craniofacial Association through the sale of "Choose Kind" Bracelets.

We are so proud of our sweet Madisyn. She is strong, feisty, funny, and kind. She is a role model for her peers and loved by our entire school."

Why Kindness Matters...

By Christine Clinton 

After reading the book "Wonder" I realized for the first time that I was not alone in being bullied. In fact, Auggie and I shared nearly the exact same experience. Like Auggie, I had my own Julian when I was mainstreamed into the fourth grade. Helen was my Julian. She made sure to tell all of the other children in the fourth-grade class, besides my sister and my best friend Elizabeth, not to talk to me or have anything to do with me, because I looked physically different. She made sure to make my life miserable in school. 

After that experience as a child, I want to be able to help the youth of today realize that people who are physically different are people too. When I was younger, I was bullied so much in school. I was going to the special school for five years, and while I felt like I didn't need to be there necessarily, I felt like I belonged there. Then, I was mainstreamed into my sister's school, and went into the fifth grade. Everyone in the fifth grade class, the students and the teacher, loved me. However, because I wasn't properly taught in the special school, and I was so far behind, I had to be put back into the fourth grade class, which was my sister's class. That is when everything started for me. One girl didn't like me because I was physically different, and she told all of the other students in the fourth grade class, except for my sister and my best friend Elizabeth to have nothing to do with me because of my physical differences.  Because of her, she made my life miserable in school.

Adults haven't always been so kind to me either, which is sad, because you would think that adults would know better and do better. Unfortunately, some adults need to be educated about kindness too. Kindness is so very important, and kindness matters...All the time.

At the end of the day, everyone, no matter their age, needs to find ways to choose kind. 

#WonderWednesday: Melissa Brings Wonder Story to College Students

Melissa McGowan of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania went to West Liberty University in January to speak to future physical education teachers. The focus of the course for these future teachers was on including adaptive athletics into the physical education class planning. Melissa shared in order to provide a picture of how to best approach inclusion of the whole child or student in the classroom. She used her experience as a mother to Abigail, her daughter born with Pfeiffer syndrome. Melissa spoke about creating a positive environment for all students. Finally, she asked the students to discuss how they would handle differences of all kinds in their future classrooms.

The physical education professor at West Liberty University said that Melissa created a "Clear presentation, including images shown on her slideshow and through her personal storytelling."

"Melissa was an amazing representative of CCA. She was knowledgeable, passionate, and students could easily relate to her. She was super organized and made the information easy to understand. Her main message of seeing the child--and not just seeing the label or diagnosis--was clear and convincing. We were so grateful that Melissa came and shared so much with us!"


Thank you Melissa for sharing your story with these college students.

Christine Visits New Jersey Girl Scouts, Spreads Kindness

Christine Clinton shared her "Wonder" story with a group of New Jersey Girl Scouts last month. She delivered a Powerpoint presentation on how the girls can choose kind and accept people with facial differences like Auggie Pullman, the protagonist in the book "Wonder." 

Christine brought CCA's Wonder #ChooseKind wristbands for the girls, encouraging them to wear them and take a photo in places where they are actively being kind in their daily lives. 

Thank you, Chrissy, for sharing your message with these scouts. 

Girl Scout Troop Leader handing out
#ChooseKind bracelets.

New Friends with Chrissy Clinton!

Helen Webb-Prosser Shares Her Wonder Story at Maine Church

Editor's Note: I just loved this Wonder Wednesday story shared with us by Amy Webb-Prosser of Maine. She writes about her wife, Helen, presenting at their local church, West Scarborough United Methodist Church. Amy shares about the pride in her committed, Methodist congregation that is truly living the Methodist slogan of open hearts, open minds, open doors in everything they do. So without further ado...here is Amy's reflection about Helen's "Wonder" presentation. 

The event was held at West Scarborough United Methodist Church on Route 1 in Scarborough, Maine (where I am music director.) It evolved from a conversation Helen had at coffee hour with a group of women from the church about her experiences and the book "Wonder." A few of the women then ordered the book and read it, and suggested that she share her story with the church. So the Worship and Arts committee sponsored a showing of the movie Wonder last Saturday, January 12th, at 1PM in the sanctuary of the church, followed by a presentation by Helen, with questions afterwards. Helen had done the same presentation for the middle school where she works in coordination with their Wonder unit. 

There were about twenty people in attendance. Helen’s presentation was called My Wonder Story—talking about what it was like growing up with Pfeiffer Syndrome, and how it was similar to Auggie’s story. She also talked about how people with physical differences prefer to be approached, which fits in with West Scarborough UMC’s mission to become a more welcoming congregation.

It was very well received, and I actually had someone come up to me and tell me that they thought the congregation would be more comfortable asking Helen about her differences and experiences thanks to the presentation.

#WonderWednesday: Kalyssa Connects with Northern California Fifth Graders

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Kalyssa Aumann spoke at Truckee Elementary in Truckee, California for her debut "Wonder" presentation in front of over 100 fifth graders after they read R.J. Palacio's New York Times Bestselling novel.

Truckee Elementary chose the book about Auggie Pullman a child born with a facial difference that enters middle school after being home schooled, because they wanted to "increase awareness of the power of words and the power of kindness."

One Truckee fifth grade teacher said, "Kalyssa was adorable. She had many slides and she was very personable. She connected with a lot of people. Overall, she was sensational." Such a rave review for her first time telling her story in front of 100 children!