Lisbeth turned 29 on the 27th of October. Here are some pics from her wedding theme Halloween/Birthday party. Bittersweet...
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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!
Lisbeth lives in her own home with her cat, Little Milkweed.
Click their picture to learn about Independence Association, the amazing agency that makes this possible!
The Good Doctor
Dr. Gregory Holmes, neurologist, and Lisbeth. Click on this picture to learn more about the neurology program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
Vagus Nerve Stimulator
Click this pic to learn more.
Spindleworks
Click this pic and visit the incredible Spindleworks!
The Normal One: Life with a Difficult or Damaged Sibling
Click this pic of Lis and Sister Kait to read about Dr. Jean Safer's book!
Some Lis-ism's
Not Bad Thing (not necessarily bad), You Do Know (ya know?), The Right Way of It (to do things correctly), The Wrong Way of It (to do things incorrectly), True (what is real and right -affirmative), Silly Way of It (silly), Funny Way of It (funny), Mmmmm Hmmmm, Mmmmm Hmmmm, Mmmmm Hmmmm (yes), All the Ways of Lisbeth Miller (understanding Lisbeth's condition and caring for her appropriately).
More Lis-ism's
It's left in my brain (I remember), It's not left in my brain (I can't remember), Hard to know (Hard telling not knowing, I don't know), Guys couldn't believe it! (incredible!), All the Year and Month (all the time), Doing the Funny Joke (kidding around), THIS way (inserted in sentences repeatedly, emphasis on THIS. not sure I can translate this. It's in the realm perhaps of, Do you follow Me?)
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About Me
- martha miller
- Woolwich, Maine, United States
- I am an artist, an art teacher, a mother of five children, and a grandmother of four, and I live with my husband and our two cats in the woods of Woolwich, Maine. I teach drawing classes through the Continuing Studies Department at Maine College of Art in Portland, and now privately in my new (!) studio @ 72 Front Street, Bath. My blog 'Martha Miller' shares my art, my process, and my inspirations, and my blog 'Not Bad Thing' showcases my daughter Lisbeth's artwork and process. It is also where I share my experience as a mother of an adult child with special needs. You can see more of my artwork on my website @ www.marthamiller.com
Isn't she lovely! How fun to have family and friends around to celebrate such a happy (and, as you say,bittersweet day.) Thanks for sharing the occasion with us.
ReplyDeleteMartha, she's a beautiful girl! What a fun birthday she must have had. I'm so glad you posted these pictures! ~karen
ReplyDeleteI can see why it would've been bittersweet, Martha. But you all look so beautiful, and it's so lovely to see everyone -- not just Lisbeth -- getting into the spirit of things and playing their roles. I've said it before, but I have to say it again: your family is truly special!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely... Honoring the desires of her heart and the dreams of her soul, no matter the storms that bluster and blow in her brain ~ your family and friends give Lisbeth such genuine respect and love and understanding. Would that every child in this world could grow up within such a circle of love. Lisbeth's beauty and joy and delight shine out in these images ~ her memories and these photographs will be a treasure for each of you. Bittersweet? Yes ~ but *real* on its own terms, and worth savoring for its own joy. Thank you for sharing, and Happy Birthday/Celebration to Lisbeth!
ReplyDeleteWe should all wear a big bold gown when throwing down another year.
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI am deeply touched with your story and with Lisbeth's art!
I would like to share it on my blog.
www.asiabataev.com
May I?