On Sunday, May 22, state Sen. Frederick E. Berry, D-Peabody, gave the convocation address at Boston University's Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences to more than 400 graduates.

Senator Berry gave a very moving address in which he told the students and their families and friends about his experience growing up as a child with cerebral palsy. He spoke about "what can be accomplished when someone believes in you."

"For me," he continued, "it started with my family, who always believed in me. When I left Massachusetts Hospital School, it was the new friends that I made at Bishop Fenwick. When I entered politics, it was the volunteers who believed in me. When I entered the state Senate, it was my colleagues who believed in me. And it is my wife, who from the first day we met has always believed in me."

He showed the students, by examples from his own life, the importance of believing in their patients and of being respectful of those with disabilities.

"As occupational therapists and physical therapists and rehabilitation counselors and speech-language pathologists," he said, "you have already chosen to believe in people with disabilities. How you treat people with disabilities will not solve all their problems. But the respect you show your patients and the ease with which you interact with them will help them believe in themselves."

The standing ovation he received shows that his message left a lasting impression with each graduate. It was an honor to have him address the class. His constituents and the residents of Massachusetts are truly lucky to have such a wonderful person advocating for the rights of the disabled, as well as others.