Teaching Kids About Acceptance in Tuckahoe

Upon entering in Tuckahoe, parents and children are greeted with messages of acceptance and being respectful to one another, all created by the young patients who are seen at the office and all in an attempt to promote awareness about bullying and youth interactions.

Dr. Penny Resnick Graulich, D.M.D., says that the idea for the project came from the Born This Way Foundation, an initiative founded in 2011 by pop star Lady Gaga and her mother Cynthia Germanotta with hopes of fostering a more accepting society.

Writing their messages on small sticky notes around the office, the children were able to share their ideas right here in Tuckahoe on how to foster acceptance and Dr. Penny, as most of her patients call her, says that a change in just one child's behavior toward their peers can lead to really big things.

"Our office is not just a dentist office," says Dr. Penny, "we want to affect kids lives by looking at them as a whole and were also trying to build behavior and character in our young patients that will be long lasting."

In the end, the office saw hundreds of inspiring messages left by the various patients that came through the office last week, here are just a few of their messages of tolerance, acceptance and empowerment:

"Don't change, if you want true friends, you need to show your true self."

"You are you, don't try and be someone you're not."

"Smile at someone who looks sad."

"Be a buddy, not a bully."

"Be nice to everyone even if they are mean to you."

"Don't be a bully, be a star!"

"Don't be afraid to be yourself."

"Be your best self"

For more information on the Born This Way Foundation and their message of acceptance, click here.

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