‘SCARRED NOT BROKEN’ EXCLUSIVE COLUMN BY LORI BUTIERRIES
MY DREAM
WHAT I DREAM AND DREAM NOT I do not dream of happy endings
or a love that’s all consuming
of healthy children without disabilities
or a life that others would find approving.
I dream of helping…
wiping tears from someone's face
sharing words of comfort and a warm embrace
making someone laugh or feel understood
or being a shoulder to lean on when life isn't good.
My dreams are simple, like me.
I want to make a positive difference in the world by sharing my experiences or by being kind, because kindness costs nothing, but ironically every time I give, I gain. That's a dream in which I want to invest because then everyone wins.
And when dreams like that become a reality, awareness begins. ∎
LORI BUTIERRIES
Author, Navy Veteran & Mother of 2 with Special Needs www.awarenessties.us/lori-butierries Lori Butierries is a full-time caregiver to two children with special needs, one child being terminally ill and physically disabled. Lori uses her life experiences and the medical knowledge she gained while serving as a Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy to help others facing similar hardships. Lori focuses primarily on advocating for and educating others about the special needs, mental health, and veterans communities. Her long-term goal is to reduce the stigma associated with disability by talking about it with people of all ages, thus minimizing the fear and the mystery attributed to the unknown in this regard.
151 AWARENOW / THE SOURCE EDITION
www.IamAwareNow.com