One of my favorite singers Shania Twain once said, “It’s important to give it all you have while you still have the chance.”

Every day, I try to give 100 percent in all I do. Whether it’s washing every single dish perfectly — leaving nothing behind, making sure my room is completely spotless or writing every single story to the best of my ability (yes I’m quite the perfectionist), I do everything with every single ounce of energy, every single ounce of dedication and every single ounce of passion and commitment.

Do I sound like a political candidate yet? Seriously though, I believe in Twain’s quote wholeheartedly and I commit it to memory.

One good thing is, I have nothing to hold me back from performing my absolute best. I don’t have a disability to hinder my progress or limit me. I don’t have to roll around in a wheel chair wishing I could move up a ramp easily without insulting stares or quizzical looks. I don’t have to worry about missing a leg or an arm and having to buy a prosthetic limb in order to complete a task without struggle.  Praise be to God that I don’t have to feel my way around an area while listening to voices and tuning into the sound of vehicles while crossing an intersection so I won’t get hit by a car because I’m legally blind. There’s just so much to be grateful for and the only thing I dare complain about is not having enough gas or my hair not being right. I don’t have a disability but there are so many who do. Those same people don’t complain when they have to do a little extra. In fact, all the ones I’ve encountered, seem to complete tasks with such vigor and tenacity, it puts me to shame.

When I met little Shabrianna Harris on Thursday at Bruce K. Craig Elementary, I was so attracted to her humility. The third grader stretched just above my knee and I chuckled at how cute she was, with her glasses safely resting at the tip of her nose and her bubble jacket swallowing her tiny frame. When I was told earlier that day that she was visually impaired, seeing her Thursday, the information seemed like a lie.

Shabrianna was just a normal girl. She has dreams and wishes. I’m sure she wanted to be able to complete her tasks at school and at home on her own, just like the rest of her classmates and her four siblings. I take for granted that I can do everything on my own, without assistance of any kind. Shabrianna taught me one thing that sunny Thursday afternoon: Don’t be afraid to be yourself, and whatever you do, give it your all no matter the limitation.