You Are Extraordinary

In February 2024, I was teaching photography to young adults with disabilities at a day program at a local church. The day was off to a great start- the students were engaged, the activity was fun, and the energy in the room was positive and encouraging. We were working on a photo scavenger hunt, practicing to “fill-the-frame” with our subject (the star of the photo). I often tell our photographers that getting close to the subject is one of the easiest ways to make photographs more interesting. The students used cameras provided by AbleVoices, but that day, I was using my phone to model this activity.

We captured dozens of images, checking off each item on our scavenger hunt list as we went along. I didn't give much thought to any particular photo in the moment. But a few days later, I noticed that my most recent photo- the one my phone displayed as my last taken- was an image from that day of a book titled, You Are Extraordinary. The cover illustration featured five children: one in a wheelchair, another holding a stuffed bunny, and another giving the peace sign. I shrugged it off as a glitch, assuming the issue would fix itself. But it didn’t.

Day after day, every time I opened my photo gallery, there it was: You Are Extraordinary.

At first, I smiled at the small quirk. Then, I started to reflect on what it meant. It felt like a persistent reminder- one I needed, and one that resonated deeply with the work I do at AbleVoices. Every day, I have the privilege of working with individuals with disabilities who have so many strengths and interests and work so hard- yet often, those qualities go unnoticed or are underestimated. The world does not always see them as extraordinary, but they are. People with disabilities are creative, insightful, and full of stories waiting to be told through their photographs.

This unexpected digital message also made me think about something more personal—my relationship with my Grandma Eiler, my dad’s mom. She grew up in a time when girls had many fewer opportunities than boys, and she used to get such a kick out of how outgoing and bold I was, especially when it came to sports and other activities she never had the chance to pursue. I can still hear her laughter as she’d shake her head and say, “Oh Jenny, are there any more out there like you? No, I think God broke the mold when he made you!”

At the time, I laughed along, never thinking much of it. But now, as I strive to live a life that makes a difference, I realize how much those words mean to me. We are all made from unique molds, each of us meant to fully embrace the qualities that make us who we truly are. Perhaps the photo of You Are Extraordinary didn’t disappear because I needed to be reminded of that truth—not just for myself, but for the people I work with every day.

As it turns out, that one photo somehow got dated February 8, 2025 despite the fact it was taken on that day in 2024. And no matter how many new photos I took, this one remained my "most recent." Just last month, it finally stopped appearing in that position. Maybe it wasn’t just a digital glitch, but rather a lingering message—one that stayed with me until I fully absorbed its meaning.

This past year has been a meaningful one for me, filled with opportunities to see and celebrate the extraordinary in others. AbleVoices exists to amplify voices that often go unheard, to showcase the beauty and power in every perspective. Photography is a way to capture not just images, but stories, emotions, and identities. It allows people to share how they see the world- and how they want the world to see them.

Glitch or not, You Are Extraordinary was exactly the message I needed, nudging me to continue this work with fresh eyes and a full heart. And maybe, if you’re reading this, it’s a message you needed as well.

Because you are extraordinary, too.