Spread the Word! The International Day of Acceptance is January 20, 2015!
The late, great Martin Luther King was not the only one with a dream. The late, great Annie Hopkins had one, too.
A force of nature, Annie refused to accept that her physical limitations should keep her from living the full, exciting, independent life that she wanted. In her all too brief 25 years on this earth, she was an advocate, an entrepreneur, an artist, a student, an activist, lover of life…and the progenitor of a movement of international acceptance.
And there was that dream of changing the world’s perception of people with disabilities. She created the wheelchair heart symbol to unify people of all abilities. She and her brother, Stevie Hopkins, launched 3ELove—a business with the underlying social ambition of educating, embracing and empowering people.
On January 20, 2009, Annie left us all in charge her message. Six years later, we can remember her and join the celebration of social acceptance by “wearing your heart on your sleeve.” Access your social media networks and “tell the world you embrace who you are; a person with social rights,” writes Stevie. “You are a person who is empowered to make a difference in the world and will not be without a voice in society…As our parents, siblings, relatives, spouses, children, lovers, coworkers, teachers, friends and anyone else, you can start change by demonstrating acceptance and showing the world that you embrace people of all abilities.”
Celebrate #DayOfAcceptance through Social Media
- Your Facebook, Twitter and Instagram friends and followers need to know why January 20 is important to you. Post this #DayOfAcceptance photo with a personal message and your network will reward with likes, shares and retweets.
- Update your Facebook and Twitter profile picture now and leave it up through Tuesday, January 20. It’s a great way to start the conversation!
- Why stop at your Facebook profile picture? That cover shot could use a little acceptance, too!
- Send an email to friends and family! It’s hard to believe, but there are those who don’t live on social media who would be very interested to hear your message of inclusion.
- Join yourself and invite your Facebook friends to the International Day of Acceptance event page. Stevie’s goal: 10,000 attendees!
For more on the International Day of Acceptance, visit www.dayofacceptance.com.
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