Quotes, mottos, and poems can be a source of motivation for many people.\u00a0 Speeches are often capped off with a quote from a retired world leader, actress, writer, or extraordinary mind. Usually we don\u2019t know the context in which these words were spoken, but being removed from the quotes gives us some flexibility in our personal interpretation.<\/p>\n
For the rare disease community, the motto \u201calone we are rare, together we are strong\u201d has created solidarity among rare disease patients and supporters around the world.\u00a0 With a community that is 30 million members strong, there is no doubt that we can move mountains together.<\/p>\n
The poetry of Shel Silverstein is a source of inspiration and motivation for me.\u00a0 Although his poems are meant for children, they can provide a good laugh or cry for anyone who chooses to indulge.\u00a0 A departure from his typically cheery style, this poem resonated with me in regards to rare diseases:<\/p>\n
\u201cShe had blue skin,<\/p>\n
And so did he.<\/p>\n
He kept it hid<\/p>\n
And so did she.<\/p>\n
They searched for blue<\/p>\n
Their whole life through,<\/p>\n
Then passed right by-<\/p>\n
And never knew.\u201d<\/p>\n
This poem made me think about how far the rare disease community has come.\u00a0 You no longer have to search for other people with \u201cblue skin\u201d all your life, because there are already blue-skinned communities out there waiting for you.\u00a0 Rare diseases are notoriously isolating, but thanks to the internet and the efforts of the community as a whole, they don\u2019t have to be.\u00a0 Many groups have emerged both inside and outside of NORD that bring rare disease patients and supporters together.<\/p>\n
Words are powerful. They can make us think, as well as motivate us to push ourselves and beat the odds.\u00a0 What words have been sources of motivation and inspiration for you?<\/p>\n
—–<\/p>\n
Aileen is a part-time intern at NORD.\u00a0 She is an undergraduate at the University of Connecticut, with a major in marketing.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Quotes, mottos, and poems can be a source of motivation for many people.\u00a0 Speeches are often capped off with a quote from a retired world leader, actress, writer, or extraordinary … <\/p>\n