27 people who proved their doubters wrong will make your day better
Telly writer Amanda Deibert had a question to ask about things people have accomplished after being discouraged from even trying.
What is something you were told you could never do (or do well) that you have accomplished/are in the process of accomplishing?
— Vote like your life depends on it because it does (@amandadeibert) April 24, 2018
She can’t have expected the overwhelming response she got. These 27 people had cold water poured on their ambitions and said a metaphorical – and possibly a literal – “fuck you” to the sexists, racists and general wet blankets who’d doubted them.
If these stories don’t inspire you, nothing will. Right after we’ve had a little nap.
1.
https://twitter.com/Divya_M_P/status/1019276212747882496
2.
https://twitter.com/astroboy_moreno/status/1019768544609775616
3.
My teacher told me I would never get a degree in science due to my dyslexia. I graduate tomorrow. https://t.co/j9jDNDq8Td
— Megan McCubbin (@MeganMcCubbin) July 18, 2018
4.
In 4th grade I auditioned for the Kiwanis Boys Choir in my hometown, Boise ID. The director Mrs Holsinger told me I should consider the school band instead because I was clearly not a singer.
She was right about the band, I guess. I still play sax when I’m not singing. https://t.co/MgG0gRLd3W— Curtis Stigers (@curtisstigers) July 12, 2018
5.
Remembered one! A former teacher JUST sent me an email asking me to contribute to his book. I guess he forgot I stopped showing up to his class after he said (in front of the class) that I wasn’t good at writing satire. Anyway, I’ve been nominated for 5 Emmys for writing satire.
— Ashley Nicole Black (@ashleyn1cole) July 15, 2018
6.
I was repeatedly told outright that I could never be a journalist, because as a teenager (and, to some extent, today) I had a severe anxiety disorder and was very shy. I start in a national newsroom in September, and last month won a Young Journalist Award from @PrivateEyeNews https://t.co/1sRZCUJMyJ
— Emma Yeomans (@Effy_Yeomans) July 18, 2018
7.
Was told women shouldn’t get higher education; was 1st in family to get a PhD. Was told women shouldn’t leave safety of their families; was first in family emigrate, at age 20. Was told I wouldn’t succeed in academia; am now dual professor in biology and astronomy. https://t.co/q8kJWgCHm2
— Betül Kacar (@betulland) July 18, 2018
8.
https://twitter.com/mazzie1441/status/1019628832377200641
9.
When I was ~2 years old, a doctor told my mother that my CT scan indicated "not much active brain" and that she should "go home and mind [her] other children." Today, I'm 24, living and walking independently, doing cool things at @torproject, and doing @LambdaSchool part-time. https://t.co/n9HLDPQc1g
— Tommy Collison (@tommycollison) July 18, 2018
10.
https://twitter.com/AC_Johnson13/status/1019672978538356736
11.
https://twitter.com/heybash/status/1017941647764570113
12.
When I was discharged from rehab at 14 years old one of the nurses smugly said “you’ll be back.” During the next 6 months I quit drugs on my own and with the help of a good therapist, worked to overcome my eating disorder. I never needed to go back. https://t.co/OkMWUjlZv7
— Georgia Hardstark (@GHardstark) July 14, 2018
13.
https://twitter.com/RiotVe1vet/status/1017867993823367169
14.
A co-worker once said i was “too fat, too black and too lispy” to be a television reporter. 7 years later, i’ve got 2 emmy nods, a few AP awards and i’m still reporting. Follow you dreams kids, don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do. https://t.co/GfbNM2dGNS
— WalterSmith-Randolph (@WalterReports) July 15, 2018