To be Somebody – Column by Vanessa Regnier

A couple nights ago I was sitting and chatting with my mom about everything that’s happened in our lives the past couple of years and how much our lives have changed and it struck up a conversation that really struck a chord.

You see, I had many struggles as a young child especially when it came to my early school years, so much so that people would tell my mom to not get her hopes up that her daughter wouldn’t go to College or University, that her daughter didn’t have what it took to do something with her music and that unfortunately, to sum it up, I wouldn’t be a “somebody”. I thank god every day that she never listened to what any of those people had to say and that she kept pushing me to be the best that I could be, even through my struggles.

Every child deserves a chance to be the best that they can be and no one has the right to tell parents that their child will fail, even if they are not the best. This shocks me every time, that people have the audacity to say that to someone, especially a parent. I have a deep respect for people who mentor today’s children as they certainly do not have an easy task at hand but I still believe, after my struggles, every child is unique and should be pushed to try and should they fail, to get back on their feet. Simple to TRY TRY again.

Sounds cliché? Maybe. But I can honestly say that I failed MANY times as a young child and to this day I vaguely remember what I failed at but remember the lessons that I learned.

We’ve all had this happen to us as adults but has this happened to anyone’s child? I would be curious to know if this is still happening.

Remember that when you believe in children, you believe in our future.

Stay fabulous,

V.