Friday, August 10, 2007

Living the Dream

Disease is like the water and you are like the sand.
It comes in and out of your life like waves,
and shapes you to be the person you are,
but it is not who you are.
I believe in
"Living the Dream"
Scottie Somers
I just got back from OC baby. Ugh, you wanna feel bad about yourself? Take a trip to the plastic surgery capital of the world. That place is full of beautiful people...but not in a genuine way. Sad really.
But among the fake I found something real. The highlight of my business trip was meeting a dynamic guy named Scottie. He is a forty year old rocker with Cystic Fibrosis. Despite living with this disease, if you ask how he is doing, he responds "I'm living the dream." How's that for perspective? A few months ago, with the help of Hurley (a Nike subsidiary), he started the "Living the Dream" movement to help kids and young adults with chronic and terminal illnesses live life to the fullest everyday.

I think my eyes and heart have truly been opened to this world of chronic illness in children. Sometimes I long for the innocence of my prior blissful ignorance. But mostly I long to cure the diseases that rob our children of a long, happy life. And I'm always inspired by individuals who turn disease into something productive.
Shout out to Scottie and the GREAT work he's doing. Keep on living the dream!

2 comments:

Anonymous August 10, 2007 at 11:05 AM  

It's a sort of fabulous perspective!! It's people like Scottie and you, too, Lori, that inspire those of us who are living with children who have chronic or terminal illness. My 8 year old son has a chronic illness, seizure disorder, which is mostly resistant to the many medications he takes on a daily basis. And I had a cousin who lived with Cystic Fibrosis into his 30's.

I have read your posts regarding Lillian for many months now, and your devotion and strength have lifted me up. Whenever I felt things couldn't be more challenging, I would think of Lillian and the other precious children who were dealing with something much more heartbreaking.

On one of your previous posts you asked if we could control anything what would it be. And your thoughts today are what were my first thoughts..."to cure the diseases that rob our children of a long, happy life."

There is much to be learned from Scott's positive sense of being and to hopefully pass that on to our children.

Lillian was a beautiful little who made a difference in the lives of many of us who never had the pleasure of knowing her. Thanks for sharing your story.

Anonymous August 11, 2007 at 11:11 PM  

Scotts quote has to be one of the best I have read, thank you for continuing to inspire me Lori. I think of Lillian all the time, she is such a precious, perfect reminder to me to soak up every day, every hug, every loving moment...and even the not so loving moments. I bet you miss her terribly and yet you always send out love to others, you keep going with so much faith it is a beautiful tribute to Lillian.

  © Blogger template 'Fly Away' by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP