Not Bad Thing: Bacon Portrait

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Just as Lisbeth sees all sorts of figures and animals in her cut paper designs, she finds these things in other places, too. You've read about Jesus in the tortilla. Well, this past weekend we had a sleepover with Lisbeth and our grandchildren, and while we were eating breakfast, Lisbeth discovered a portrait of her brother Andy in her bacon! This was cause for much delight. She's a funny girl...

Lisbeth's Blue Bird Angels Mandala

My daughter Lisbeth suffered a traumatic brain injury when she contracted a viral illness in 1988 at the age of six, and she continues to be challenged by multiple difficulties including uncontrolled seizures, behavioral disturbances, learning disabilities and developmental delay. Despite these challenges, Lisbeth's mighty spirit and creativity are remarkably intact. She creates extraordinarily beautiful cut paper snowflakes - hundreds of them (it is ironic that a cluster of seizures is called a "flurry...") and like real snowflakes, each one is unique. Lisbeth sometimes refers to her creations as "brains," which is poignant, for in the making of each snowflake/mandala, it is as if she is recreating her brain. Lisbeth sees figures, animals, and objects in the cutout shapes of each one of her designs, and says that these are what the brain is thinking!