West Patent Elementary School got a visit from a very special superhero recently — who was there to deliver a very special message.
“I remember this!” one student said with a grin as she caught sight of SuperBrady McCarthy, an artist, author, advocate and entrepreneur with Down syndrome. “I love this day!”
In his SuperBrady role, McCarthy was decked out in his signature blue SB shirt and cape. His sister Alexx was also there, welcoming students as they came in.
SuperBrady and Alexx were there to talk to students about the power of inclusion and how they can be superheroes too. They started by reading the book they co-authored, SuperBrady: A Story of Inclusion, which tells the story of SuperBrady’s life.
“I have a special message from me to you,” he told students. “If you are someone who can see what makes other people’s differences special and help to bring out their awesomeness, you can be a superhero of inclusion, too!”
After reading the book, the siblings went over a few tips on how to excel at inclusion. Alexx noted that asking a few questions can show you what you have in common with someone who seems different from you.
“What’s your favorite movie, Brady?” she asked.
“I’m a big fan of Disney Pixar’s Toy Story,” he said.
Students in the audience gasped. “I love that movie, too!” someone shouted.
“See? Already, you guys have something in common with SuperBrady—and all it took was one question,” Alexx said. “That’s why it’s so important to be kind. Everyone wants to feel like they belong.”
At the end of the assembly, students were given a chance to ask SuperBrady questions. By this point, they were excited to learn more things they had in common with him.
“What’s your favorite thing to do?”
“What’s your favorite animal?”
They were also eager to tell him things they knew they had in common.
“I also like playing video games.”
“I like to do arts and crafts like Brady.”
“When someone needs help, I help them out.”
To that last one, SuperBrady had a quick response: “You can be my sidekick!”
A big thank you goes out to WPESA for bringing Brady and Alexx to West Patent through the Putnam | Northern Westchester BOCES Arts in Education Program.
Article courtesy of Bedford Central School District
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