“There is no standard, objective, perfect human being. The metrics of perfection are arbitrary and imposed in the service of those who fit them. My daughter is perfect. Exactly the way she is.” – Caterina Scorsone in People‘s Kindness issue
In People magazine’s latest kindness issue Grey’s Anatomy star Caterina Scorsone opens up about raising a child who has Down Syndrome and since everything she said is in line with my different is cool massage I just had to share the recorded interview.
“The present moment is all you ever have.” – Eckhart Tolle
Yesterday after many years of procrastination I finally published my children’s book entitled Different Is COOL which is about self-acceptance and service to others and I hope after reading it everybody will ask themselves what can I do to make a difference in my community and in the world at large.
To buy Different Is COOL please visit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LLFNHL2/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_x_OtCKFb52E50FD
“The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, our most pleasing responsibility.”― Wendell Berry
Recently Generation Earth together with VTAC Green Team and Vision Tactical planted trees at Houghton Primary School with the Grade 7 learners.
A huge thank you to the VTAC Green Team for partnering with Generation Earth to make this tree planting possible
“Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here.”- Sue Monk Kidd
A few years ago I stumbled upon sayitforward.org – a platform empowering women through storytelling – and today I’m profiling the platform because the work they do truly makes a difference
Say It Forward envisions a world where every woman and every girl recognizes and claims the power of her voice, her story, her rights and her ability to achieve her biggest, boldest dreams despite the obstacles she may face.
Through the power of storytelling, Say It Forward celebrates the strength, determination and triumphs of girls and women on their path to empowerment.
They hope these stories will also inspire engagement with organizations that support the empowerment of women & girls in communities everywhere.
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” -John Wooden
Today is World Cerebral Palsy Day and although it is not the definition of me it is a part of me that i have accepted.
CEREBRAL PALSY is the most common motor disability in childhood. ‘Cerebral’ means having to do with the brain. ‘Palsy’ means weakness or problems with using the muscles. CP is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain that affects a person’s ability to control his or her muscles. Cerebral Palsy looks different on everybody – in some cases you could never tell that people even have it while in others it’s obvious because mobility aides are required and in some cases there is also speech impediment and intellectual disability (Please note: speech impediment associated with Cerebral Palsy does not always equate to intellectual disability)
PS. If you’re wondering how to treat someone with Cerebral Palsy – just treat us like people.
“A baby is as pure as an angel and as fresh as a blooming flower.” – Debasish Mridha
Today marks the two month anniversary of my campaign benefitting Breath of Life(a place of safety for babies here in East London, South Africa) in memory of Gerda Bence. . Goal is R51 000 and raised so far R32 759. THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH to Terence Naidoo (Founder of Truzo Pty Ltd), David Boutin, Beverly Bernhardt, Meg, Suntosh Pillay, Penny Tarr, Bianca, Melissa, Maqsuda, Mr. Khan, Betty Roy, BG, Nihara Paul, Michelle Parks, VK, Caelyn Barter, Jessy Jones, Alex, Carolyn Steyn, Inayet Ismail, Susannah, Elizabeth, Nokuthula, everybody who donate anonymously and everybody who spread the word on social media – truly appreciate all your support.
If anybody wishes to make a donation they can do so https://backabuddy.co.za/in-loving-memory-of-gerda
If you don’t like the narrative change it – that’s my message to the world
Recently I found myself wishing more positive stories about differently-abled people would be shared more widely so today I’m sharing the story of Andrea Dalzell, the first registered nurse in New York who happens to be in a wheelchair. Watch her story:
“A simple smile. That’s the start of opening your heart and being compassionate to others.”– Dalai Lama
Today, on World Smile Day I honour everyone at Smile Train working tirelessly to provide free cleft surgery to those in need. Susannah Schaefer and Esther Nyambura you are remarkable leaders. I’m proud to be an ambassador for your organization.
Every day, 540 babies are born with #cleft, a birth difference that causes difficulties in eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking. To make sure that no child is left behind, Smile Train will focus on the needs of #540Today to ensure millions of smiles tomorrow!
Support http://smiletrain.org
“The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all, our most pleasing responsibility.”― Wendell Berry
September is Arbour Month here in South Africa and in honour of that I would like to applaud Margo Adonis , Founder of Visions of Change, who in 2018 as part of the Miss Earth South Africa programme Margo Adonis started her #PlantingSeedsOfHope Campaign and since then she has planted 850 trees (and no, that’s not a typo – 850 trees ). Margo Adonis THE PLANET THANKS YOU, WE THANK THANK YOU.
[Side note: I absolutely loved that Executive Director of Miss Earth SA Catherine Constantinides was there to assist Margo this week – the Margo-Catherine bond is very adorable]
Thank you to Margo’s partners Miss Earth South Africa, Department of Environmental Affairs, Western Cape Government, Reliance Compost, Stashers and many more – thank you all for supporting Margo
“A baby is God’s opinion that the world should go on.” —Carl Sandburg
Today marks one month anniversary of my campaign benefitting Breath of Life(a place of safety for babies here in East London, South Africa) in memory of Gerda Bence. . Goal is R51 000 and raised so far R26 928. THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH to Terence Naidoo (Founder of Truzo Pty Ltd), David Boutin, Beverly Bernhardt, Meg, Suntosh Pillay, Penny Tarr, Bianca, Melissa, Maqsuda, Mr. Khan, Betty Roy, BG, Nihara Paul, Michelle Parks, VK, Caelyn Barter, everybody who donate anonymously and everybody who spread the word on social media – truly appreciate all of you.
If anybody wishes to make a donation they can do so https://backabuddy.co.za/in-loving-memory-of-gerda