The project transformed the main corridor of the Medical Center into what is now called the "I Am Hallway". Lining this hallway are about twenty pictures, very big pictures. And everyone one of the pictures has an "I Am" statement.
Here is Rachel and her picture:
The inscription on her picture reads:I am Beautiful
"There is something that draws people to Rachel; it might be her sparkling eyes, or gentle heart. It might be her smile that captures others. That smile came at quite a cost to this young girl who has already had 5 surgeries in her few short years. Born with a unilateral cleft lip and cleft palate. She had her first surgery at five weeks of age. The most recent one required a bone graft from her hip to form the front gum line and nose revision. Through it all, she has had a host of people praying for her and her family. The result is beautiful, but everyone knows it’s not the skin that creates beauty—it’s the caring spirit that shines from within. That is beautiful!"
We were given an 8x10 framed picture of Rachel's picture with her "I Am Beautiful" inscription, as well as a button. All the participants were wearing theirs proudly. The photographer will be putting up all his pictures onto a website soon, so that we can download the pictures we want, for free.
After a few words from the people who made this happen, they went around the room and had each participant introduce themselves and share their "I Am" statement. All very touching. But the one that touched me most of all was when Rachel stood up on her chair, her teddy bear clenched in one arm, head held high, and she said "I'm Rachel and I am Beautiful!".
1 comment:
I have tears in my eyes reading that! What a lovely project. All the best.
Ella
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