“He drew a circle that shut me out. Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But love and I had the wit in win: We drew a circle that took him in.” -Edwin Markham

No two people are the same so it’s important to embrace the difference.

For 20 years Robyn Zimmer, a jewelry designer, knows how important embracing the difference truly is. Her son, Sam, is developmentally disabled. Individuals with developmental disabilities are often ostracized and Zimmer feels the eagerness of acceptance for her son each and everyday.

Two years ago, Robyn Zimmer, a jewelry designer, created a pendant with seven circles and one square interlocked and called it embrace the difference. Zimmer wants to make this a universal message; that everyone should be met with inclusion and understanding.

“All the circles are linked together and even though the square is different it’s still part of the whole group and that’s how I feel about people with any kind of disabilities or differences,” said Zimmer. “We are all part of the same universe and everyone fits in, just in a different way.”

Zimmer and Kelly McLaughlin of the Cantalician Center for Learning accidentally met, exchanged stories and decided to partner to use the symbol created by Zimmer to raise awareness and understanding of developmentally disabled people giving some of the proceeds to the Cantalician Center. This collaboration will raise support and bring the message across to all.

“The proceeds will be used for program and education enhancements,” said McLaughlin. “Robyn designed it, Reed’s Jewelers, her husband’s business, will produce it and we will work together to market it.”

The Cantalician Center for Learning provides educational, rehabilitative and occupational opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities from youth to adult in three facilities located in Buffalo and Amherst.

Individuals at the Cantalician Center are affectionate and friendly and just want to reach out and say, “Hello,” to everyone they meet. At the center, everyone fits in and no one feels ostracized or different.

“You can’t be unkind to anyone, you have to be more accepting and welcoming no matter what,” said McLaughlin. “We’re certainly all different in our own way. We all have our own stories. It doesn’t really matter what your background is, what your color is, or what your IQ is. We all have to get up in the morning, put our shoes on and get through the day.”
Right now, there are pins, necklaces and key chains available in sterling silver and 14-karat gold between $75 and $95, but eventually Zimmer would like to make earrings and rings with the symbol.

To order, or for more information, visit www.embracethedifference.org, visit any Reed’s Jewelers, or contact McLaughlin at kmclaughlin@cantalician.org, or call 833-5353.

Photo: Robyn Zimmer, jewelry designer, and Kelly McLaughlin of the Cantalician Center for Learning show off the 'Embrace the Difference' pieces.

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