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We all have milestones in life that were member so vividly. The first one for me was when I was
entering kindergarten. My big brother was in school, and by golly, it was my time. And I went trottin
down that hallway. I was so excited, I almost wet myself.
我們的生命中都有難以忘懷的具有里程碑意義的時刻，我的第一個里程碑是剛進幼兒園的時候。我的哥哥在學
校裡，我的天，那就是我的時代。我在走廊裡一路小跑，激動得差點尿褲子。
And I go to the door, and there was the teacher with a warm welcome, and she took me into the
class room, showed me my little cubbyhole -- we all remember those little cubbyholes, don't we --
and we put our stuff in there.
然後我到了門口，有個老師站在那裡熱情地歡迎我，她帶我去了教室，帶我看了我的小儲藏櫃——大家都記得
那些小儲藏櫃吧，然後我們把自己的東西放在那裡。
And then she said, "Go over to the circle and play with the kids until class starts." So I went over there
and plopped down like I owned the place, and I'm playing, and all of a sudden, the boy next to me,
he was wearing a white shirt with blue shorts.
接著她說，“在上課前，去那邊跟其他小朋友一起玩吧。”於是我走過去，一屁股坐下來，就像這是我的地盤一
樣，我正在專心地玩，突然，一個坐在旁邊的小男孩，他穿了白色的 T 恤和藍色的短褲。
I remember it like it was yesterday. Suddenly he stopped playing and he said, "Why are you so short?"
And I just kept playing. I didn't think he was talking to me.
我記得非常清楚。他突然停下了，然後說，“你為什麼這麼矮？”我仍然自顧自地玩，沒覺得他在跟我說話。
And in a louder voice, he said, "Hey, why are you so short?" So I looked up and I said, "What are you
talking about? Let's just play. We're happy. I've been waiting for this."
然後他抬高了聲音，“喂，你為什麼這麼矮？”我抬頭看著他說，"你在說什麼啊，接著玩吧。多好玩啊。我一
直很期待吶。“
And so we played, and about a minute later, the girl next to him, in a white shirt and a pink skirt,
stood up, put her hands on her hips, and said, "Yeah, why do you look so different? " And I went,
"What are you talking about? I don't look different. I'm not short. Again, let's just play."
於是我們就接著玩，過了大概一分鐘，一個坐在他旁邊的女孩，穿了一件白色的 T 恤和粉色的裙子，站了起來，
掐著腰說，“對啊，你為什麼看起來這麼不一樣？”然後我說，“你在說什麼啊？我沒有哪裡不一樣啊，也不
矮啊。接著玩吧。”
About this time, I looked all around the circle I was in, and all the kids had stopped playing and they
were all looking at me. And I'm thinking -- in today's language, it would be "OMG" or "WTF." What
just happened?
差不多這個時候，我看了看我在的這個圈子，所有的小朋友都停下了，不約而同地看著我。我在想——用現在
的話來說應該是“我的天”或者“他 X 的搞什麼。”剛剛發生了什麼？
So all the confidence that I went in with that morning was withering away as the morning went on
and the questions kept coming. And at the end of the morning, before I went home, the teacher had
us in a circle, and I actually found myself outside of the circle. I couldn't look at anybody. I could not
understand what just happened.
結果我早上進門前擁有的所有自信，隨著時間的流逝，在各種各樣的問題中漸漸消失殆盡了。臨近中午，在我
回家前，老師讓我們圍成一個圈，然後我發現自己在圈外。我沒辦法看任何一個人。我沒法理解剛剛發生了什
麼。
And over the next few years, I hated to go out in public. I felt every stare, every giggle, every pointed
finger, not the finger, but every pointed finger, and I hated it. I would hide behind my parents' legs
like nobody could see me.
在接下來的幾年，我痛恨去公共場合。我能感受到每個眼神，每個笑聲，每個指指點點的行為，不是手指，是
每次的指指點點，我痛恨它們。我會藏在爸媽的身後，這樣好像就沒有人能看到我。
And as a child, you can't understand another child's curiosity, nor an adult's ignorance. It became
very apparent to me that the real world was not built for someone of my size, both literally or
figuratively.
在孩童時期，你沒辦法理解另一個孩子的好奇心，或者是一個成年人的不理睬。我很快就發現這個世界並不適
合我這種體型的人，不管是字面上的還是比喻上的。
And so I have no anonymity, as you can probably tell, and while you can see my size, we all go
through many challenges through our lifetime. And some you can see, like mine. Most you can't. You
can't tell if someone's dealing with a mental illness, or they're struggling with their gender identity,
they're caring for an aging parent, they're having financial difficulty.
也根本不能隱藏於人群中，你們可能也看得出來。像你們看到的我的體型，我們在一生中都會經歷各種各樣的
挑戰。有些是能被看到的，像我這種情況。大多數是看不到的。你沒辦法知道一個人是不是在對抗著精神疾病，
或者在性取向中掙扎，在照料一對老去的父母，或是有經濟困難。
You can't see that kind of stuff. So while you can see one of my challenges is my size, seeing does
not mean you understand what it's truly to be me on a daily basis, or what I go through. And so I'm
here to debunk a myth.
你看不到這些東西。所以很明顯，我的挑戰之一是我的體型，但看見並不代表你能理解如果你是我會是個什麼
感受，或者我經歷了什麼。所以我要揭露一個秘密。
I do not believe you can walk in someone else's shoes, and because of that, we must adopt a new
way of giving of ourselves. Simply stated, I will never know what it's like to be you and you will never
know what it's like to be me.
我不相信你能完完全全感受到另一個人的感受，正因為這一點，我們必須採納一種新的付出的方式。簡單來說，
我永遠都不知道成為你是什麼感覺，你也永遠不會知道成為我是什麼感覺。
I can not face your fears or chase your dreams, and you can't do that for me, but we can be supportive
of each other. Instead of trying to walk in each other's shoes, we must adopt a new way of giving of
ourselves.
我沒辦法面對你的恐懼或者追逐你的夢想，你也不能為我做這些，但我們可以互相支持。不只是試著理解另一
個人的感受，取而代之的，我們應該接受一種全新的付出方式。
I learned at an early age that I did have to do some things different than most people, but I also
learned there were things I was on equal footing with, and one of those was the classroom. Heh, heh,
heh. I was equal.
我從很小的時候就學到，我不需要做跟大多數人不一樣的事情，我還學到有很多事情是公平的，其中之一就是
教室。哈哈哈，我是平等的。
As a matter of fact, I excelled in the classroom. This was vitally important, I discovered as I grew older
and realized I wasn't going to be able to do a physical job. I needed an education. So I went on and
got a university degree, but I felt to be one step ahead of everyone for employment, I needed to
have an advanced university degree, so I went ahead and got that.
實際上，我在學校是尖子生。這個非常的重要，在慢慢長大的過程中我發現並意識到我沒辦法做體力活，我需
要教育。所以我接著學習，拿到了大學文憑，但為了找工作，我必須要顯得比其他人更有優勢，我需要一個高
等學歷，所以我又拿到了那個。
Now I'm ready for my interview. Remember your first interview? What am I going to wear? What
questions? And don't forget that firm handshake. I was right there with you. So 24 hours before my
interview, a friend of mine who I've known all my life called and said, "Michele, the building you're
going in has steps."
現在我為面試做好了準備。記得你的第一次面試麼？我要穿什麼？會提什麼問題？別忘了那個適度的握手。我
跟你們一模一樣。面試前的 24 個小時，我的一個發小打給我說，“米歇爾，你要面試的樓有臺階。”
And she knew I couldn't climb steps. So suddenly, my focus changed. In my shoes, I was worried
about how am I going to get there? So I went early and found a loading dock and got in and had a
great interview. They had no idea what I went through for the day and that's OK.
她知道我爬不了臺階。於是乎，我的關注重心突然改變了。在我腦子裡，我開始擔心我要怎麼到那個地方？所
以我早早地去了，找了一個裝車的升降臺，然後進去體驗了一個很棒的面試。他們並不知道我那天經歷了什麼，
但沒有關係。
You're probably thinking my greatest challenge that day was the interview, or getting in the building.
In reality, my biggest challenge that day was getting through the loading dock without getting run
over. I am very vulnerable in certain situations: airports, hallways, parking lots, loading docks.
你可能在想我那天最大的挑戰是面試，或者是進入那個樓。實際上，我那天最大的挑戰是從裝車升降臺上安穩
下來不摔跤。我在一些情況下非常的脆弱：機場，走廊，停車場，升降臺。
And so I have to be very careful. I have to anticipate and be flexible and move as quickly as I can
sometimes. So I got the job, and in my current role I travel quite a bit. And travel is a challenge for
all of us these days.
所以我必須非常小心。我必須有意識而且要很靈活，有時我動作還要非常快。然後我拿到了那份工作，在我的
職位上我時常要出差。出門旅行現在對每個人都是挑戰。
And so you probably get to the airport, run through security, get to the gate. Did I get my aisle seat
or my window seat? Did I get my upgrade? Me, first of all, I don't run through anything.
你得先跑到機場，跑過安檢，再跑進登機口。我有沒有拿到我的過道座位或者靠窗座位？他們幫我升艙了麼？
對於我來說，第一，我不跑。
And I especially don't run through the TSA because I get to experience the personal pat down. I won't
comment on that. And then I make my way to the gate, and with my gift of gab that my parents said
I was born with, I talk to the gate agent, and then I say, "
我尤其不跑過安檢，因為我得經歷個人的全身搜查。我就不評論了。然後我到了登機口，用我爸媽的話說，我
有扯廢話的天賦，我跟登機口人員說話，告訴他們，“我的小車大概這麼重，有一個電池在裡面，我可以自己
開到飛機艙門口。”
By the way, my scooter weighs this much, I have a dry cell battery, and I can drive it down to the door
of the plane." Also, the day before, I had called the city where I'm traveling to to find out where I
could rent a scooter in case mine gets broken on the way. So in my shoes, it's a little bit different.
而且，提前一天，我得打給我的目的地城市，找到一個我可以租移動小車的地方，以防我的小車在半路壞掉。
所以我的情況有點不同。
When I get onto the plane, I use my gift of gab to ask the lady to put my bag up, and they graciously
do. I try not to eat or drink on a plane because I don't want to have to get up and walk on the plane,
but nature has its own schedule, and not long ago, it knocked and I answered.
當我到了飛機上，我又利用談話的天賦，讓空姐幫我把包放在上面的行李架，她們都很友好地幫了我。我在飛
機上儘量不吃不喝，因為我不想在飛機上站起來和走動，但是大自然有它的規律，
So I walked up to the front of the plane and gabbed with the flightattendant, and said, "Can you
watch the door? I can't reach the lock."
於是不久前，這個規律應驗了。我走到飛機的前面，跟一位空乘人員聊天，然後說，“你可以幫我開一下廁所
門嗎？我夠不著鎖。"
So I'm in there doing my business, and the door flies open. And there's a gentleman there with a
look of horror on his face. I'm sure I had the same look. As I came out, I noticed that he was sitting
right across from me, and he's in total, complete embarrassment. So I walk up to him and I quietly
go,
我在上廁所的時候，門突然“唰”的開了。一個紳士站在那裡驚恐地看著我。我確定我也是那個表情。我出來
以後發現他坐在我對面，滿臉的尷尬。所以我走向他然後輕輕地說，
"Are you going to remember this as much as I am?"And he goes, "I think so."Now, while he's probably
not talking about it publicly, I am.
”你會比我對這件事記憶更深刻麼？“然後他說，“我覺得會。”但現在他可能不會公開講這件事，但我會。
But we talked for the rest of the flight, and we got to know each other, our families, sports, work, and
when we landed, he said, "Michele, I noticed someone put your bag up. Can I get that for you?" And
I said, "Of course, thank you."
但我們在下面整個航行中都在聊天，我們瞭解了對方的家庭，運動，工作，當我們落地的時候，他說，“米歇
爾，我發現有人把你的包放上去了。我可以幫你拿下來麼？”我說，“當然，謝謝。”
And we wished each other well, and the most important thing that day was that he was not going to
leave with that embarrassment, that experience of embarrassment. He won't forget it, and neither
will I, but I think he will remember more our chat and our different perspectives.
然後我們互相道別，祝福。那天最重要的是他不會在尷尬的感覺中，或者尷尬的體驗中離開。他不會忘記，我
也不會，但我認為他記住的更多的是我們的聊天內容和我們不一樣的觀點。
When you travel internationally, it can beeven more challenging in certain ways. A few years ago, I
was in Zanzibar, and I come wheeling in, and think about that. Short, white, blond woman in a chair.
That doesn't probably happen every day.
當你坐國際航班的時候，會有更多的挑戰。幾年前，我在桑幾巴爾島坐著我的小車，你們想想看，一個矮小的，
白皮膚，黃頭髮的女人坐在一個小椅子上。並不太常見。
So I go up, and with my gift of gab, Istart to talk to the agent. So friendly, and I ask about their culture
and so forth, and I notice there wasn't a jet bridge.
所以我上前，再次用我的談話天賦，跟工作人員聊天。我很友好地詢問他們的文化什麼的，然後我發現那裡沒
有從候機艙通往飛機的通道。
So I had to kind of say, "Not only do you have to lift my chair, I could use some help getting up the
steps." So we got to spend about an hour together while we waited for the flight, and it was the most
magnificent hour.
所以我得說，“你不僅得幫我抬座椅，還需要幫我上機艙的臺階。”所以我們在等待飛機的時候花了大概一小時
的時間，那是非常非常棒的一小時。
Our perspective changed for both of us that day. And once I got on the flight, he patted me on the
back and wished me well, and I thanked him so much. And again, I think he's going to remember
that experience more than when I first came in, and there was a bit of hesitation.
我們兩個人的觀點都發生了改變。當我上了飛機，他拍拍我的背，然後送上最好的祝願，我表示了感謝。再一
次，我覺得他對這次經歷的記憶會比我剛進來的時候多，那時候內心多少還有猶豫。
And as you notice, I get a lot of help. I would not be where I am today if it was not for my family, my
friends, my colleagues and the many strangers that help me every single day of my life. And it's
important that we all have a support system. Asking for help is as trength, not a weakness.
你們可能發現了，我得到很多幫助。如果沒有我的家人，朋友，我的同事，還有很多很多的陌生人每天都幫助
我，我今天不可能在這裡。我們能擁有互相幫助的意願是很重要的。尋求幫助是一種勇氣，不是弱點。
We all need help throughout our lifetime, but it is just as important that we are part of other people's
support systems. We must adopt that way of giving back. We all obviously have a role to play in our
own successes, but think about the role we have to play in other people's successes, just like people
do for me every single day.
我們在一生中都需要幫助，但我們幫助別人也是一件同等重要的事。我們必須接納報答的方式。很明顯，我們
在自己的人生中都扮演著很重要的角色，但想想我們在別人的人生中的角色，就像大家每天為我做的事。
It's vitally important that we help each other, because society is increasingly placing people in silos
based on biases and ideologies. And we must look past the surface and be confronted with the truth
that none of us are what you can see.
互相幫助至關重要，因為社會在一天天地孤立每個人，只是根據對事物的偏見和愚蠢的看法。我們必須看透表
面，接受一個事實，那就是，沒有人是你看到的樣子。
There's more to us than that, and we're all dealing with things that you cannot see. So living a life
free of judgment allows all of us to share those experiences together and have a totally different
perspective, just like the couple of people I mentioned earlier in my stories.
每個人都有更多面，而且我們在糾結你看不到的事情。所以願你我過一個不去評價他人的人生，能讓我們一起
分享自己的經歷，然後以不同的眼光去看待這個世界，就像我在之前的故事裡提到的那些人。
So remember, the only shoes you truly can walk in are your own. I cannot walk in yours. I know you
can't walk in my size1s -- but you can try.
所以記住，你能完全理解的只有你自己。我沒辦法穿著你的鞋行走。我也知道你穿不了我 1 碼的鞋——但你
可以試試看。
But we can do something better than that. With compassion, courage and understanding, we can
walk side by side and support one another, and think about how society can change if we all do that
instead of judging on only what you can see. Thank you.
但我們可以做些更好的事。帶著同情心，勇氣和理解，我們可以肩並肩向前走，互相支持，想想社會會發生什
麼樣的改變，如果我們都做到這些，而不是根據你看到的去評判別人。謝謝。
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