If everyone would take to heart the theme of this year’s Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the world would be a much better place.

The Lawrence County Board of Developmental Disabilities kicked off Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month on Tuesday with its annual balloon launch at Open Door School. The balloon launch was just one of several events slated for the month, which celebrates the theme, “What’s your story?”

It’s true that most of us live our lives without giving much thought to the people we see in passing each day. Some could argue that fact is even more true when it comes to the county’s developmentally disabled population. But they have a story to tell.

Thankfully, the board of DD always takes time in March to allow students from Open Door School and clients from Tri-State Industries to show the rest of us just how much a part of this community they are and how important they are.

The next events are an open house at the Sybene Center on March 10 and the Chili Fest and Craft Show from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on March 12 at Dawson-Bryant High School. This event has grown in numbers each year and has boasted some pretty stiff competition among local chili connoisseurs.

As always, media members and local politicians will compete in the March Madness basketball games on March 22, also at the high school. Capping off the events is a 5K on April 9 at The Point industrial park.

Showing our support at these events is just one small thing we can do to build a welcoming community for everyone and is a chance to learn someone else’s story.