I've gotten a lot of e-mails asking "whats the deal with the Butterflies?", it's easier just to send people here then to keep writing the answer.Probably best I start at the beginning ...
About 8 years ago the first RNY patient got permission to get splint Bears for patients. These Bears would take the place of pillows to be hugged while you coughed, sneezed or laughed (your tummy area is a bit sore right after surgery) A cute little bear (I have one) wearing a T-shirt saying Bariatric Surgery can you Bear it?
Unfortunately at the time these Bears were brought into the picture, Cooperstown was only doing a few surgeries a month. A raffle was held at the Support Group meeting each month to pay for the Bears ($15 each) Now Cooperstown is a Center of Excellence for Bariatric surgery and does 4X the amount they did 8 years ago.People having the Band didn't get Bears and a lot of people having RNY didn't get them either. I asked for permission to research less expensive "splint pillows", I suggested a Butterfly because ever since I started the program that was the analogy I used. We were like Butterflies shedding our cocoons. In fact if you've read this blog, you know that I wear a very special butterfly. Imagine my surprise when I was told that way back when Cindy was the director, she also used the Butterfly metaphor.
After much research and hours of phone calls I found there are no Butterfly splint pillows, pre-made, already available. However I did find a pattern. I know what most of you are thinking...but my surgery is a life time commitment and I plan to stay connected anyway. I had to alter the pattern a bit to make it cost affective, but the prototype was well received and for the most part people felt it was a better shape then the bear and more symbolic. I liked it because if all goes well and the raffle continues and people volunteer to help...EVERYONE can have a Butterfly, not just SOME RNY patients...And so the Butterfly Project was born...not something I do alone by a long shot...Lisa carried us through the Holidays with 30 some odd Butterflies and we have a few volunteers and thus far fabric is donated by the volunteers. Eventually when we build up the "bank" the project will be self contained and able to support itself. That's my dream....The backs of the Butterflies can be signed, so it becomes a keepsake as well. Some people are even using them to decorate their beds. All in all I am pleased and proud to be a part of such a worth while cause and it is my mission to do it for as long as I possibly can....
Thus explains the Butterfly Project. The last of my Holiday Family Visitors are waiting for lunch, so I'll scamper along...Please check on me now and then and leave a comment if you have time.......
2 comments:
I love the butterflies.... I use the butterfly analogy, myself, for many reasons. When I was in my mid-twenties and in the early stages of recovery from addiction, I was in therapy with a very wise and caring therapist. Except there was just one problem. He wouldn't give me the answers that I KNEW he had. You see, I was smart enough (ha!) that I was SURE that if he just GAVE me the answers that I'd know what to do with them. He told me this analogy:
He said, "Do you know the process of becoming a butterfly from a caterpillar?" A bit insulted at this simple question, I said, "Of course!" He continued, "well, here a part that few really understand... if you help a butterfly out of its cocoon, if you peel back the sides or hold open the slit, the butterfly will never fly. It will never have the chance to exercise its brand new wings as it struggles on its own to get out of its cocoon. That is a battle that its very own. If someone helps the brand new butterfly, it will literally die."
I look at him, stunned. His "silly" analogy hit home. I had to find my own answers. Even though he may actually know them, I had to find them for myself and exercise my own "wings" in order to grow. Wow. What an amazing truth for my life.
And now... I am a bariatric patient... a new sort of butterfly. A butterfly that has come out a cocoon of obesity into a new life of health. The transformation is unbelievable. I have captured my love for this powerful Gog-given symbol in my life with a tattoo on my abdomen.
Kathie... I deeply appreciate what you are doing. The Butterflies are wonderful... and they will bring so much joy to so many! MUAH!!! (that's a big ole kiss on the cheek!)
Jules
I am currently post-op 4 days and I don't know what I would do without my butterfly. I carry it with me from room to room at home and am very protective of it. The idea behind the butterfly and the coming into oneself and shedding the cocoon is amazing. It works so well and the shape of the pillow offers so much comfort in many ways...while coughing, sleeping, hugging when discouraged, and sitting up in bed. I am blessed to be a part of such a wonderful group of people and although I am not a good "sewer" I would be more than happy to help in any way I can with this project. Everyone NEEDS one of these special pillows for not only its comfort, but for the special meaning it holds. :) Suzanne
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