I had a lovely dinner recently where my friend Ryan who is getting his Master's Degree in Speech Pathology, educated me on the condition, Aphasia. Aphasia is is by definition: the loss of a previously held ability to speak or understand spoken or written language, due to disease or injury of the brain. The incredible part to me, is that even though these patients may have challenges speaking, they can sing perfectly! So pitches are assigned to words and melodies to sentences, in order to help these patients speak!
I came across this amazing TED talk today given by previous Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, and her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly. In 2011 Gabby was shot in the head in Tucson, Arizona while meeting with constituents. She now suffers and is working through Aphasia, as well other physical incapabilities due to having major injury and brain surgery.
This talk has everything. Gabby and Mark demonstrate an incredible display of love, the triumph of the human spirit, hard-work and adventure. Gabby still happens to be a gun owner, but also considers herself to be a Moderate Democrat. But because of Gabby's shooting and the many horrific shootings in the U.S, they have started an organization called Americans for Responsible Solutions. The organization is "committed to advancing commonsense change that makes communities safer from gun violence and encouraging elected officials to advance responsible firearms policies."
This is not a political TED talk at all, and most of you know that my goal in life is to offer a means of connection and expansion for people through art. This is one of those talks, I believe that might provide expansion in the hearts and brains of many people who watch it, in several different aspects.
This talk is significant to me, because it demonstrates someone who has a political perspective on something based on true and terrifying life experience. I don't know enough about Gabby's politics to know if we are in alignment. However, I have to respect the fact that she is inviting both sides of the political spectrum to be part of this conversation, of gun ownership and violence. I do not agree with polarization. We can't reach responsible solutions, if we see our own American brothers and sisters as the enemy, based on their political beliefs. We have to open up our hearts and minds to the idea, that we don't possibly have a broad enough perspective to account for everyone's truth and life experience. I read a poem yesterday that described Truth like a giant shattered mirror. Each person feels as though the piece they have found is the one. But I believe that we must put all of our precious and personal fragments of truth together, in order see ourselves and each other clearly. And only then will we hopefully be able to find peace in the world.
Also, if you are interested in checking out their website, you can go to www.americansforresponsiblesolutions.org
I came across this huge graffiti piece on the streets of Williamsburg on a walk, headed to the waterfront. It was hand-crafted by The Lookout Crew and says "Love Our Children." It is part of several pieces dedicated to the lost lives of the children of Sandy Hook Elementary School.
Peace, Bridges and Embraces,
Jess
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