Just a Little Look, Now, Gotta be Patient...

But if you're like me, you're just DYING for a sneak peak!  Of what, you ask?  What else - the UII + VU INVISIBLE ILLNESSES MADE VISIBLE PHOTO DISPLAY!!!!

These are just sneak clips, don't wanna ruin the effect before it first goes up.  Due to the insane snow we've had around here lately, the school had many snow days and cancelled classes, which threw off a lot of schedules and the display wasn't able to go up last week.  But fear not!  Bridget, Shawn, and I couldn't let this go by the wayside, and now the display is done and ready to go up 3 times over this week around campus with the nursing student projects.  Also, many of your pictures and stories will be featured in a pre-panel slideshow next week...and that's not even touching on the tricks and plans I have up my sleeve!  But shhh, not time for those just yet.

Anway, here are some glimpses at the display.  I'll post pics of the full impact soon!

Laid out on the plywood pre-painting:

Your loving display creators - pre-Mod Podge fumes:

The Podge was still drying:

...and STILL drying:

Ok that's it!  In fact, I'm pretty sure that's more than you should see before the whole kit and caboodle goes "live" this week...but you're such fantasticly brave and wonderful people I figured I owed you a teaser.

Also, I just want you to know - each set of pictures came with a story, and those stories moved me in ways I thought I was immune to.  Guess I should have known I have defunct immunity all the way around:)

But seriously.  Throughout this project, Bridget and I have discussed the details over and over.  Some of you shared stories that inspired us because of things you did to raise awareness about your condition (such as our Lyme Teen Beauty Queen) or things you did completely in spite of your condition and just because you love them (like our Boogie Boarding Scooter Traveler).  You tapped into your artistic sides (the Waiting Room Floor comes to mind), and shared secrets you've held inside you until this day (a faded self-injury scar bears better witness than I can). 

We heard from people who had stopped hoping, fallen into depressions, and could no longer believe the world could ever be a better place for you so long as you have an invisible illness.  It was as if this project gave you something to cling to; a reason to dare to hope that society could learn about the way you live and discover all you have to offer...or maybe that you could discover it yourself. 

We want you to know we hold ourselves responsible to you.  So long as we have voices to raise and minds to dream and family to help make it happen, you will be heard.  You obviously don't need us - look at how powerful you are on your own - but just like the Who's in Whoville needed every last Who to scream and shout and save their dustspeck (it's Dr. Seuss, go read it), sometimes we need to speak up for each other.  And so, this puffed-up Prednisone popper would like to remind you "I meant what I said and I said what I meant; an elephant is loyal one hundred percent"! 

Look for photos of the WHOLE display coming soon to a blog near you!