The Lucas Project
ABOUT THE LUCAS PROJECT
Founder of The Lucas Project,
I was 17 years old and still in high school when I started this project. I started this project, because of my mom’s ex boyfriend. My whole outcome and main purpose of these events is for students and community to leave these events with a sense of recognition for the disabled. I want them to create friendships and think about what they go through in life. I also want the students any school to be able to interact with the disabled students, because so many students are uneducated and afraid of the disabled. Many times they are unsure or worried about what their friends might think, so I would like to educate students and show them that you shouldn't be afraid. That disabled people are people as well. I'm excited to give disabled students a sense that they belong and aren't invisible, that they have created friends that they can go through high school and possibly life with. Overall, disabled students should never be looked down upon, because of how they look or what disability they have. It's time that we bring this issue to light and treat people how they are supposed to be treated.

Sincerely, Craig Elam

Background
I remember this time clear as day. I was sitting on the porch one summer day minding my own business when my mom's boyfriend told me that I wasn't going to be anything. He told me that I was going to end up dead or in jail. When I heard those words I was furious. Until I went off to summer camp, where i seen this disabled guy named Lucas. Now before I met Lucas, I would see disabled people and I wouldn't speak. I would feel to sad for them to say anything. So, one day I heard Lucas's story about how his dad doesn't believe in him and how his dad said that he wasn't going to be anything. From that moment, I knew that I needed to talk to Lucas and when I did talk to him I could see the pain in his eyes. It brought me to a realization that some of us have felt the way Lucas feels, that most of us have felt invisible from time to time, that all of us are disabled in some way. Whether that's mentally, physically, or emotionally.
The Philosophy
I believe that we are all here to make a difference. Make a difference in schools, communities, and everyday environments. I also believe that we are the change. No matter what age you are, no one else is going to make that change happen, but you. It's important to know that we are leaders, we are the future, and our time to start acting like it is now.
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