End the use of the r-word

Today is National Awareness Day. Today is the day that we need to stop the use of the r-word. I would like to say that the word "retard" should be removed from our language, but at the same time, we can't remove it completely. If we don't remember the pain this word caused, we could be destined to repeat the pain.

I recently heard my daughter's friends throw the r-word around like it was no big deal. They have no idea the meaning behind the word. They have no idea the pain that the word has caused. They have no idea that the r-word is so damaging. They are too young to understand the power of words. As parents and family members, we must teach the next generation the power of words.

We have a responsibility to the next generation to teach them right from wrong. Let's all teach them the continued use of the r-word is WRONG.

Please go to www.r-word.org, and make a pledge to end the use of the r-word.

I did it! I did it! I did it!

I did one thing to make a difference in the life of one person! Today an individual, who I have been scrapbooking with, stood up in front of a room full of 55 (yes I said 55) people and spoke!

I started the workshop by explaining my inspriation for the project and the challenge issued by one of our VPs to do one thing to make a difference in the life of one individual. I then introduced a woman that I have spent the past 11 weeks getting to know a little. When I introduced her, she walked up in front of the room and told everyone that she was petrified, BUT she was going to try to talk to them. I was standing behind her, so I walked up and put my hand on her back. I wanted to reassure her that I was there for her, and give her some of my strength.

She talked about her past, and struggling with mental illness. She talked about what she likes ,and the kinds of things she puts in her scrapbooks. She talked about learning something new, meeting new people, and learning to see to positive things in life.

I am not in any way taking credit for the courage that she displayed today in standing up in front of a room full of strangers. I invited her, offered her an opportunity and she stepped through the door and took a chance. She made an incredible choice today, and I was privledged to be there to share in the joy of her success.

Today was a good day.

Great News and Even Better News

The organization I work for is having an all staff conference this week. I am presenting a workshop about my scrapbooking project. For the past five months, I have pretty much been a broken record, talking about my project to anyone who stood still long enough. When I was asked to present a workshop at our conference, I was thrilled.

I hoped that maybe 10 or 20 people would register for my workshop. The great news is that ... I have 47 people registered for my workshop on Thursday morning. The even better news is that 3 of the individuals, who have completed scrapbooks, are attending! They will be bringing their scrapbooks, and will have the opportunity to talk about their experiences with us over the past eleven weeks.

I am really excited to spread the news within my organization, about what I believe is great project. Beyond that, 3 wonderful people, that I have become very attached to, will have a new opportunity to expand their lives just a little more through this project.

What matters?

We are almost finished scrapbooking at our first house. We will have completed eight scrapbooks in about ten weeks. To be completely honest, we could have been finished by now, but we have spent a lot of time in the past few weeks sitting and socializing. We've learned some unexpected lessons.

The individuals living in this home have taught us how small acts of kindness matter. They have taught us that listening ... matters. These two hours that we give ... matter.

Coconut Cake

Two weeks ago, we completed our third scrapbook. On the last page of the book, Kendra, the volunteer, added a picture of both her and the individual she has spent the last several weeks assisting. She wrote a personal message about how much she enjoyed helping him with his scrapbook and getting to know him. The book is beautiful and seemed to be a great experience for everyone.

That was until last week! Last week, we discovered that the gentleman didn't understand that Kendra would no longer be helping him with his scrapbook ... that the project was complete. He brought his scrapbook to her at the beginning of the evening, just like before. She did spend a a little bit of time helping him to decorate the cover of his book, but he was clearly disappointed. He stayed and socialized with everyone, but was not himself.

So, in my typical "mom" mode, if I don't know what else to do ... I bake. I asked the gentlman what I could bake for him. Cake ... coconut cake. So the coconut cupcakes are in the oven to take along tomorrow. I hated seeing the disappointment on his face. I don't know what to do.