What makes you special? | Mariana Atencio | TEDxUniversityofNevada

I only came here to learn English then I also learned a beautiful lesson of life🙂

Anyone in 2024?

Dear unkhown person whoever reads this we don't know each other yet I wish you all the luck afterward from this moment 💫❤️ you are a blessing you don't know that yet , don't blame your self or else loose yourself in the dessert of uncertainty, ur smile is precious keep that up🥰

I am a student from Vietnam. I often use TED as a source of learning, this time I do extensive listening. The speaker makes inspired for learning English from the listener and also for gaining the strength to become independent. They were inspired by the listener's speech and hope to one day deliver a speech on stage like them.

I am a wheelchair bounded girl i can't walk but i am confident, independent and educated girl, at my early age i accepted myself the way i am, but unfortunately the society would never allow you to live with peace. Whenever i go outside shopping,or go to the restaurants or any other place people look at me like if i have come from an another planet! I can see sympathy in their eyes for me clearly. Some people come to chat with me directly to tell how much they feel sorry for me. That literally hurts. By the grace of Allah i am strong enough to deal with all this,i never let anyone to destroy my inner peace. But i feel for those people like me who are differently abled and they cannot face people's behaviour towards them. They lock themselves in their homes and spend the rest of their lives like this! I wish people could understand once that their single word can break/destroy someone's soul, their confidence their strength to face the world. I wish people see different people as social instead of weird.

I am special because my mom loves me and that's all what matters

What an eloquent & articulate speech! Being able to imagine yourself beyond others see in you is the toughest part. Love this line a lot. I’m also a person who does the same thing differently which gives power to me for being creative & willpower is another tool to fight all the struggles come along the path. Success can’t beat anyone, if someone is determined & humble. On 12th November 2025, I will also speak in TEDx and inspire people through my life story.

we are all quirky and unique and that is what makes you wonderfully human. this is so true. great speech .

I am from the middle east I went to USA and almost everyone treated me like a freak they either avoided me or was rude. I am a woman in veil and a proud Muslim I remember going to Disneyland a man smiled at me and told me I am glad u are here madam ,I really needed his words I smiled back and thanked his kindness He was a man who saw my difference and accepted it in a wonderful way We all need to be like him ,thank you, amazing tedtalk

her speech is so fluent ,a good example of great communication skill even though her mother tongue is not english!!!

I only came here to learn English, Not only that I learned from you but also learned how to stand up on my own feet. This speech made me strong and one day I will do a speech on stage as you did. Thank you Mariana❤️

omg, I'm crying. the way she talks is beautiful and inspiring. thanks for sharing your wonderful life!

''let's celebrate those imperfection that make us special'' this word make me wake up.

We cannot label others "different" because we are all different. Great speech.

I am a student at the university. From country to city, my voice is different and it makes me feel shy. I become more introverted and do not talk with my friends, in the meeting I just say: I agree with all members and do not raise my ideas. It is terrible. Today, i listen to her and i want to change myself, I am not sure i can change my thinking immediately but i will try my best. Thank you for your speech.I love u

One of the best talks I've ever seen! Thanks you Mariana to teach us many lessons about society!

She is such a beauty with a brain. Love the way she speaks👏

What a beautiful quote from her : Being able to imagine your self beyond what other people see is the toughest of all but it's beautiful ❤️

She really got her message through and made us appreciate that our own life experiences if reflected on can teach us something of great value.

as a disabled person and someone who had agophobia for years I can relate with her sister's story in the challenge we face not because of our disabilities but because people reject us for being different