The supporters of the project “To contribute to the establishment of inclusive and relevant quality education for all in Armenia” not only actively participate in various events organized, but also share their knowledge, experience, and inner world changes with other students. Under the title “My Success Story,” we will present the emotions and experiences of like-minded people on how inclusion has become a way of life. Below, we present Mary’s success story.

Success stories have the power to inspire, motivate, and bring out the best in each of us.

It is often said that success leaves its mark, and that is certainly true. From the successes we have in our lives, we can take hard-won wisdom and apply it. The successes we achieve by overcoming difficulties often show us that anything is possible if we simply believe in ourselves and never give up. Success is not a matter of luck, but the result of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. Our success stories in life give us the courage to fight and achieve our goals. This success story is also like that.

I’m having a hard time, I don’t know where to start: probably from the first time I faced ridicule from my friends, when they called me “mentally retarded sister. “I remember it like it was yesterday, how I froze. Tears were streaming from my eyes. I stood there helpless, not knowing what to say or do. I left my game unfinished and ran away from those evil and insidious looks. I didn’t go out into the yard for a few days so as not to see them, but the sounds of their laughter were constantly in my ears. I realized that my brother was “different”, he was different in appearance, but he is my brother. The teasing continued at school as well, I felt helpless, I didn’t know what to do, sometimes I thought that if my brother were like others, he would be by my side, protect me, and wouldn’t let me be hurt, instead of the other way around. I didn’t want to go anywhere with my brother, I didn’t want him to come, lest they make fun of me again, or ask me “stupid” questions that I was tired of answering. I didn’t want my brother to go out with me, or go somewhere together. It was hard for me. I wanted to be accepted for who I am. My brother could not adapt to school, but he had a desire to learn. Thanks to his willingness and persistence, with great difficulty, my parents sent my brother to the city to study at a “special school.” Every time I was lazy, my brother would always come to mind while studying, and it turned out that I failed the entrance exam, no one was by my side except my brother. It took me a few days to sober up and decide not to miss my second chance. With my brother’s example in mind, I started practicing day and night, passed the exams, and was accepted to university. I faced problems everywhere, faced ridicule, insults, and contempt from society, but at the same time, thanks to my brother, I realized that you have to be strong, willing, and purposeful to achieve all your goals.

My brother, my family, and my profession helped me understand and rediscover my strengths and my possibilities, perhaps to understand that everyone is different and equal, and no one is guaranteed that similar events will happen to them too.

Today, thanks to universal inclusion, we have before our eyes many examples of children with special needs who live with us, next to us.