On Friday, March 21 the Windward community gathered for a powerful all-school assembly led by Miles Shimanovsky ’26, who interviewed his mother, Sharon, and his 13-year-old sister, Liv, who lives with Nemaline myopathy—a rare neuromuscular disorder that affects muscle tone and strength.
Through humor and honesty, Liv shared her perspective on what it’s like to grow up with a disability, expressing her wish to be treated like any other teenager. She highlighted how uncomfortable stares or being spoken to like a toddler reflect a broader societal discomfort with disability.
Inspired by his sister’s experience, Miles created an Instagram account, @inclusionworks_la, aimed at spreading awareness about disability through data, storytelling, and advocacy. The assembly was the result of months of collaboration between Miles and Ryan Shelven, Director of Student Engagement and Belonging. The two met bi-weekly to carefully plan the event, focusing on the intentionality behind inviting Liv and Sharon to share their experiences with the Windward community.
By the end of the assembly, students and faculty were deeply engaged—asking many questions. Thank you to Miles, Liv, and Sharon for courageously sharing their stories and reminding us of the importance of inclusion and empathy.