The Joy Exchange

USA TODAY BESTSELLER Venture into the joyfully imperfect world all around you, bursting with light and hope so often missing in our relentless modern lives. In The Joy Exchange, groundbreaking nonprofit leader Laura Whitaker offers an inspiring and entertaining invitation to discover for yourself the revolutionary rewards of entering into the lives of those with diverse abilities and experiences. Whitaker illuminates the path to experiencing profound joy by embracing our differences and finding a refreshing freedom to be who we are together. The book weaves together powerful real-life stories with eye-opening neuroscience and sociology to empower you to walk into worlds of those whose experiences you might not understand, but whose spirit and outlook can change your life. Through a colorful tapestry of stories, including the author’s own journey, and the transformative lessons within them, you’ll gain actionable tools that will compel you to embrace a more joy-filled life of connection and belonging. You’ll also find: Inspiration to help you express your innate compassion New ways to understand the realities of people living with disabilities Empowerment for the next generation of social leaders ready to take belonging to the next level Strategies for making social spaces more universally accessible Perfect for anyone seeking a greater sense of purpose and joy in every human interaction, The Joy Exchange is a must-read for everyone interested in making the world a more fulfilling place. 100% of the proceeds from this book go to programs for people with disabilities.

Foreword xv Section One: Awkward to Aha 1 0 The Dandelions 3 1 The Burst What Happens When We Exchange Awkward for Awe? 11 2 The Extra Seat What Happens When We Exchange Avoidance for Action? 19 3 The Chance What Happens When We Exchange Self-Promotion for Service? 27 4 Sticky Note Soup What Happens When We Exchange Inadequacy for Initiative? 33 5 The Blind Date What Happens When We Exchange Hubris for Humility? 41 6 The Hulk What Happens When We Exchange Empathy for Compassion? 49 7 The Flip Turn What Happens When We Exchange Comfort for Connection? 57 Section Two: From Invisible to Invaluable 63 8 The Hope Cup What Happens When We Exchange Hard for Hope? 65 9 The Stage What Happens When We Exchange Power for Perspective? 77 10 The Brags What Happens When We Exchange Inability for Ability? 87 11 The Jump What Happens When We Exchange Cowardice for Courage? 97 12 The Pink Hard Hat What Happens When We Exchange Invisible for Invaluable? 107 Section Three: From Them to Us 119 13 The Welcome What Happens When We Exchange Hesitation for Hospitality? 121 14 The Blend What Happens When We Exchange a Problem for a Purpose? 133 15 The Hug What Happens When We Exchange a Culture for Connection? 143 16 The Spread What Happens When We Exchange Moments for Movements? 155 17 The Miracle What Happens When We Exchange Silos for Shared Spaces? 167 18 The Top Bunk What Happens When We Exchange Walls for Ramps? 179 19 Enjoy What Happens When We Exchange Small Things for Big Love? 189 Epilogue: Welcome to Holland 197 The Invitation 199 Notes 201 Acknowledgments 205 About the Author 207 Index 209