I love 3E because the heart symbol helps me to educate others. It's an instant conversation starter! Instead of getting stares and whispers about the way I walk, people come and ask questions...but it always starts with "I love your hoodie!" I then get to have a conversation with a person who would otherwise be too afraid or intimidated to talk to me. That usually opens a door for the person to ask me how to approach other disabled people in their lives. So many people make assumptions about, have questions for and/or want relationships with those of us that are living with disabilities but they don't know where to start. Quite often, my 3E hoodie has created that starting point.
Also, wearing my 3E hoodie makes ME more confident. It makes such a bold and beautiful statement for me. Yes, I am disabled. No, I'm not trying to hide or ignore it. I embrace it and love myself in this body. I love my life and everyone in it because I have an amazing quality of life in spite of AND because of cerebral palsy. It's as much a beautiful part of me as my tattoos and piercings. I wear cp proudly now just like I wear 3E proudly. I embrace what's different about myself and I embrace what's different about others. If I don't win this contest, I'll be content because with the help of 3E, I have already won so much. My real reward is in getting to say thank you. Thank you for everything you guys do. Not one minute of it is in vain.