Who is Otis?

Otis is a wonderful little bird who happens to have some physical and intellectual disabilities — he is the poster child for anyone with special needs.

Even though he may look a bit different, he can’t fly well, and his singing is rather strange, he shows us that his disabilities do not define him – he is so much more! He is loving, kind, thoughtful, and funny. New situations scare him, loud noises or new foods can send him into a meltdown, but like any other youngster, he wants to be accepted, included and loved.

Most parents of special needs children, including Down Syndrome, Autism, and other disorders, say they would love to have other children understand their child and his/her challenges. Children are intrinsically curious and eager to learn new things. By teaching them about disabilities and differences, they can better understand the seemingly bizarre and often unsettling behavior of a child with these difficult challenges. Otis is here to remind us to embrace our differences while celebrating our similarities.

Welcome Otis into your life and open your mind and heart to a kinder, gentler, more inclusive world!