Tim Walz took center stage at the Democratic National Convention and so did his son Gus, who has a nonverbal learning disorder as well as ADHD. Through their interaction, we saw a significant message that was demonstrated not through words, but through an embrace.

We saw Gus’s pride in his dad through his tears, his gesture. We saw their embrace of each other. And all of that spoke to the significance of their relationship and the importance that Gus holds within their family. It spoke to the fact that Gus belongs.

We are a society that often communicates tolerance at best and exclusion at worst. Seeing families like the Walzes on center stage helps us begin to envision a world where everyone belongs and everyone matters.

MORE WITH AMY JULIA:

• My Daughter Does Not Exist to Teach Me a Lesson
• How Politicians Talk About Disability Matters
• LeBron James: “Being a Winner Is a Curse”

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