WE ARE ALL THE SAME

Lee Wesley Clark, II (Wesley) is the author of “WE ARE ALL THE SAME.” Wesley is a teenage boy living in Brooklyn Heights, NY with Down Syndrome and a heart condition. Wesley also has a speech delay and sometimes uses a technology device to communicate.

The book narrative symbolically highlights Wesley’s first day of high school, the experiences and lessons learned that ultimately change history. Here, Wesley meets diverse students in the classroom. Wesley is jovial and inspirational to the students encountered. A rare find, this book evokes love, friendship and inclusion for all. It recognizes individual differences but celebrates our unity! A fun and engaging read for all school aged children. It may also serve as a teaching guide for educators who are seeking to identify ways to support integrated co-teaching (general education/special education) and inclusive models for youth. INCLUSION affords children of all abilities a fair chance to grow equally, to learn and thrive. Inclusion means: “Everyone Matters!”

Wesley is among the first in NYC public school history to graduate from general education middle school and to be admitted to an inclusive high school. He has been featured in an award-winning documentary entitled, “Forget Me Not” by Director Olivier Bernier. Wesley’s life has been captioned on Chasing News, Channel 9 and 11 News, Montclair TV34, NY Post, Education.org. In 2012, Inclusion Works Foundation, a national non-profit 501(c)(3) organization was founded by Wesley’s mother, Kim Williams Clark, Esq. in response to the lack of inclusion resources for Wesley. It “Promotes Equity and Access to a Quality Inclusive Education for All.” www.inclusionworks.us