Attitudes and Tolerence

I started this blog primarily as a documentation of what we're going through with Liam's TS and a way to vent. I also wanted our family and friends to understand what's going on. Sometimes I am amazed at how people react to my blog- because I think of it as my outlet and a teaching tool. I'm amazed when people tell me how much they get out of it and how much it means to them.

My mom is one of my biggest fans and cheerleaders- about everything, but definitely when it comes to this blog. We went to visit her at the hospital this past weekend. She went in for emergency surgery after some complications from her initial surgery that she had to repair her divericulitis. She told Liam how proud she is of him and what an inspiration he is. She said that the nurses all ask her how she keeps such a good attitude about all she's going through and that most people get very depressed about the surgery and long recovery. She told them that she's learned so much about dealing with adversity from Liam. I'm so proud of him for teaching, and proud of her for learning and telling him. And happy that this blog has helped with the process.

Along those lines, one of my heroes throughout this journey has been a young man named Marc Elliot. He goes to schools around the country to teach about tolerance. So far, Liam and I haven't had the opportunity to see him in person. But I have a faith that things happen for a reason. One of the other facets of my life where I try to educate and change perceptions is in my job. I am an Ava Anderson Non Toxic consultant. I joined the company because I was appalled at the toxic chemicals that were in my family's personal care products. So now I go and do home parties where I teach about what's going on in the cosmetic industry and sell a safe alternative. One of my recent hostesses happened to be Liam's Sunday School teacher. So after the party was over we were chatting about the kids and I mentioned Liam's TS. She didn't know that he had it but told me that they were having a speaker with TS come to the school that she works at and that she'd like to invite me and Liam come as her guests. I immediately blurted "is it Marc Elliot?". She wasn't sure, but she emailed me the info. Sure enough, it's Marc Elliot. I'm so excited and so thankful. I am so proud that we've put it out there to be forces for positive change with this rather than tried to hide it and act like it's a bad thing. Changing attitudes, creating tolerance.

Marc's website: http://www.whatmakesyoutic.com/