Although I was never considered a child with special needs, I was a special needs child. It was obvious to me, I had mental and emotional struggles.

I was my own 'emotional support'

The reality for some of us, is that where others should be emotionally supporting us, we often have to be our own emotional support. Attitude is important for those who deal with a disability and attitudes start at home with parents and family.

Instilling 'inclusivity and kindness'

If society is going to permanently change attitudes towards disability, it is initially up to parents to instil inclusivity and kindness in their children.

My suggestions for disability inclusiveness are as follows:

• Don’t see anyone with a disability as a problem, or someone that needs to be fixed;
• Not all people with disabilities present in the same way, so it’s important to understand each person's abilities separately;
• Compassion, patience and kindness go a long way towards communicating and understanding what someone with a disability deals with.

Those with a mild disability may struggle more, than those with an obvious disability, because their shortcomings aren’t always apparent to others, and they may be still expected to conform. Being around someone who deals with a disability can teach us a lot about ourselves.

Attitudes should 'change'

If attitudes changed towards disability and people were generally more positive towards those dealing with one, there would be less of a stigma towards disability, and disabled people could fit into their lives more comfortably.

What has happened to empathy, tolerance, and understanding? Because that is all it would take. If the shoe were on the other foot, others would expect nothing less from us.