Disney’s new movie “Frozen” just came out on DVD, and I got caught up in the tidal wave of excitement about the story, the music, the characters, and had to see for myself what all that buzz and fuzz was about. So I bought the DVD, some chocolate and crackers, and the kids and I snuggled up to watch it together.

Frozen is a story of two princess sisters, Anna and Elsa, who are also best friends. Elsa, a figure loosely based on the fairy tale-character “The Snow Queen” written by the Danish author and poet Hans Christian Anderson. Elsa has been born with magical powers. She is taught to “conceal” these powers by wearing gloves and living a secluded life, cut off from her delightful little sister Anna and the rest of the outside world. Once these powers are accidentally unleashed, Elsa is mocked and cursed by all people and had to run away from her kingdom. She built a new one out of snow and ice far away from home in the Northern Mountain. But Anna loves her older sister so much and won’t let her go and runs after her…this is how the exciting adventure and story begins:

At first glance, Elsa’s magical powers of freezing things, including the entire kingdom of Arendelle, seem like a disability, because she cannot control those supernatural powers and ends up seriously injuring her younger sister Anna. She is forced into isolation after this incident and asked to never reveal her special gifts.

Elsa and her magical powers remind me of our children with special needs. I feel that their “disability” is a magical power that is underestimated and misunderstood. Kids with special needs are often viewed as if they are a danger to society, out of control and therefore need to be segregated and isolated. It’s heartbreaking!

After Elsa’s supernatural powers (her “disability”) are revealed, everyone is afraid of her, and they call her a monster that is involved in witchcraft. Same with our special children, often they are called all kinds of ugly names, are treated like monsters, are shunned and feared. The only choice left is to run away, to let the heart grow ice-cold, and to build a new world that is cold, lonely, isolated and away from all friends, family and society.

How can we stand by silently and allow this to happen? Why the ignorance? Why the indifference? Why can we not see that there is magic in every person and that our differences actually join us?! What we view as disability, is a supernatural blessing, if we only allow it and accept it just as it is.

I love what the snowman said:”some people are worth melting for.” We all are special, and we all are worth melting for, including those with special needs.

Here are 3 valuable lessons we can learn from this movie:

The power of sacrifice leads to ultimate happiness. I mean the snowman is willing to melt and help figure out how to stop the winter, so that his beloved friends can have a beautiful summer again. But in the end he is gifted experiencing summer without melting.

Elsa sacrifices her own happiness to keep everyone safe, especially her beloved little sister Anna. However, in the end she learns to use her magical powers to create amazing fun for everyone.

Anna is willing to die for her sister and Kristoff, who ends up falling in love with Anna, is willing to let her go, so she can be happy. But in the end they get more than they ever expected.

People are not always what they appear to be. Be careful and know that trust is earned and not something anyone can demand. On the flip-side, don’t shun someone just because they are different from you. Take some time and get to know them, you might be pleasantly surprised.

I was struck by how contradictory the movie’s overarching message was to it’s banner anthem “Let it go.”

Let it go, let it go!

Can’t hold it back any more.

Let it go, let it go!

Turn away and slam the door.

I don’t care what they’re going to say.

Let the storm rage on.

The cold never bothered me anyway.

Anna’s unconditional love for her sister Elsa is what ultimately allows Elsa to learn to use her powers for good.

Don’t be afraid to tell someone you consider special how you really feel, because tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Tomorrow may never come and then it’s too late.

So go and tell your kids, tell your parents, tell your friends how much you love and appreciate them.