Spreading the Word

About a week ago, I had the honor and privilege to address the high school student body at Ft. Worth Country Day School to help spread the word of awareness and acceptance of those with a craniofacial difference.  The students had been required to read the book Wonder, and some of them had researched CCA's website and wanted someone from the Children's Craniofacial Association to come and speak about their organization.  They host an annual dodgeball fundraiser and wanted to donate funds raised to CCA.   Representatives of CCA could not make it in the timeframe they needed, so I was presented with this opportunity.  It didn't take a second thought for me agree to take on this challenge, and put my heart and soul into this speech and to give them a parent's perspective.  I compiled a slide show that included a little history of Logan's diagnosis and several pictures of him over the years, showing how he is just an ordinary kid, loving the same things that other kids do.  Within my presentation, I spoke some truths about what it is like for a cranio-kid:  surgeries, hospitals, needles, and pain.  Although the pictures I showed were of all the happy times of him being an ordinary kid, I pointed out that what they didn't see past all the smiles was the anxiety he has experienced over the years of going to public places, the worry of how many people will point and stare at him this time, or which kid is going to call him a name on the playground at McDonalds.  (true personal experiences - for another blog)
The students were very respectful and attentive, and I couldn't feel more blessed for this divine experience that fell into my lap (not by accident I may add).  I believe God puts people, situations, and experiences in our lives to teach and strengthen us so that we are able to follow His plan.  I hope God is not finished with me, and I pray that I go where He leads me.

Until next blog,
God bless,
Lisa

Choose Kind Campaign Coin Drive for CCA was a Success! Let's keep the momentum of "choose kind" going!

WSISD Students Raise More Than $2,800 for Children's Craniofacial Association

As part of White Settlement ISD's Choose Kind anti-bullying campaign, students raised more than $2,800 for the Children's Craniofacial Association during a district-wide coin drive in October.  Brewer Middle School seventh grader Logan Brown, who has a craniofacial diagnosis called Apert Syndome, inspiredWSISD's year-long Choose Kind  anti-bullying campaign that encourages students, staff and the community to treat others with respect and kindness. The Choose Kind initiative stems from the book "Wonder" about a fifth grader who suffers from a severely deformed face and does his best to be just an ordinary kid with an extraordinary face. Wonder is being used in districts throughout the nation as a way to encourage young readers to share their stories and to introduce the Choose Kind theme. Pictured are: Sherri Kottwitz, Brewer Middle School principal; Logan Brown; his mom, Lisa; his brother, Landon; Frank Molinar, WSISD superintendent; and Michael Dickinson, Liberty Elementary principal. The WSISD schools competed to raise the most money, and Liberty Elementary won, raising more than $800.