Although the San Francisco 49ers came up short of the Super Bowl once again, they have a lot to be proud of when it comes to getting to where they were. Despite plenty of injuries to their most important position, the fact that they thundered with a 3rd string quarterback is a clear sign that just because someone is picked last in a draft, doesn’t mean that they aren’t capable of doing what they are passionate about in the eyes of others.
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Brock Purdy was selected as the final pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and thus, was named “Mr. Irrelevant.” When you are picked last, you are often viewed as the negative in a positive light. You are viewed as the weakling, the extra weight that needed to be shed, the understudy. But Brock proved people wrong and helped the 49ers win the entire second half of this past NFL season.
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Now, you might wonder why I am using Brock Purdy as an example to neurodiverse and disabled individuals? Well, it’s because when it comes to being selected last in something, a majority of neurodiverse/disabled individuals are sadly selected to be last in something and it’s a sign that people view them as someone who will never amount to anything.
This is often the case in both educational and workplace settings. Neurodiverse/Disabled students and individuals are often viewed for their exterior weaknesses instead of their exterior strengths. Just because you are dubbed “Mr.” or “Mrs. Irrelevant,” it doesn’t mean that you should be forebode from doing something you are passionate about.
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Just the mere fact that Brock Purdy was given the chance to show what he could do for the 49ers is proof enough that what he did on Sunday could serve as an example to both educators and employers. Never assume anyone with a neurodiverse/disabled diagnosis can contribute less that what you expect of them. If Brock Purdy could be given a chance despite being picked last, then why not those who are picked last and judged prematurely?
Sure, the individual may not get everything you want out of them as shown in Sunday’s NFC Championship against the Philadelphia Eagles, but just getting to a satisfactory position is celebration enough. It’s more about being accepting to what they can do as a human being and what they can contribute to without being pushy.
If educators and employers can be inspired by Brock Purdy’s performance for the San Francisco 49ers, then that could make a huge difference for the individual or student with neurodiverse/disabled differences.
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Catch you all later!!
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