Tonight's picture was taken in November of 2002. Mattie was 7 months old here. As Peter always said, Mattie was born "ON." Mattie was not a napper but instead was always on the go and had to be mentally challenged and stimulated. Mattie loved looking at books and though he did not sit still for much else, he always was interested in a good story.
Quote of the day: I am thankful for all of those who said NO to me. It is because of them I’m doing it myself. ~ Albert Einstein
Einstein's quote made me laugh as soon as I saw it tonight. I laughed because there is great truth in what he was saying. I think Peter and I get a lot of "no's" in the work we do. After all, when people think of childhood cancer, they think of the medicine. Funding drug development, other biologics, and medical research. Definitely important and vital, but only a part of the cancer treatment equation. Looking solely at the medicine would be fine if we are talking about something at the cellular level. But with a human being, we are far more complicated than the cells that comprise us.
Today out of the blue, I got an invitation to speak at Mattie's school on January 22. The school is inviting guest speakers from the community to address common good and social responsibility. In essence this entails developing a 45 minute presentation, and delivering it three times that day. Each student will have the opportunity to attend 3 different sessions. Sessions that they choose based on an 100 word description I provide. Almost like getting a conference booklet, and then you as the attendee choose what you wish to hear more about.
In theory developing this session sounds like a piece of cake, but for me it is not. It's not because this is an age group I am not familiar with teaching or rearing. Though I no longer have a toddler, preschooler, or elementary aged child, I am definitely more versed in them because of Mattie. Of course, my professional experience is teaching undergraduate and graduate students. Even on that level, I remember the differences between undergrad and grad students, despite the fact that they are both young adults.
I am honored Mattie's school has invited me and that they realize that Mattie Miracle is much bigger than just Alexandria, VA (where the school is located). In the invitation I was requested to present on the Foundation but also how we were able to grow an idea into a national organization. Given that I will be presenting to teenagers, I am cognizant that whatever I present has to be very tangible, illustrates that it is making a difference and most importantly provides some sort of nugget of knowledge that will stay with them. In the hopes that it will get them to think about what role they can serve in helping children with cancer. Or perhaps also inspire them to think about what they are passionate about and to use this passion to develop their own non-profit some day.
No comments:
Post a Comment