Courage Tiger's Road Trip Day 45: Ellen Makes Courage Roar!

It was an honor and a pleasure to talk with Ellen from Wisconsin during my second day here! Ellen told me that she has so many beads that instead of wearing them all the time, she strung them up along her bedroom wall. Right now, those beads are on their third trip around her room! 

Her mom told me that one time a family friend came over to visit and was amazed by the wall:

Ellen with her Beads of Courage

“She said it wasn't until that very moment that she realized what pain and triumphs our child has had to endure. Having a physical ability to hold your journey in your hands helps bring a feeling of 'I can do anything' into Ellen's world.”

While I was talking with Ellen, I saw a lot of square brown beads. When I asked her what those brown beads were for, she laughed and said that they were not brown beads, but they were tortoise because of the shell like pattern on them! Tortoise beads represent all the procedures that Ellen has undergone.

Thanks Ellen for sharing your story with me! We are so proud to help you record, tell, and own your story of courage. Help us support more children and teens like Ellen by participating and donating during the 9^th Annual Bead Challenge!

Courage Tiger’s 2017 Road Trip is a feature of the 9th Annual Bead Challenge, a three-month nationwide fundraiser and beadraiser for Beads of Courage. As the official Beads of Courage mascot, Courage Tiger is visiting all 50 states to highlight the incredible work our organization does by sharing stories of our courageous members, families, clinicians, and the caring community of artists and supporters who make our vital work possible. Please get involved in Bead Challenge 2017 by visiting www.beadchallenge.org today. Sign up to PARTICIPATE as a fundraiser, CREATE glass beads, or DONATE to the cause. With your help, we can Make Courage Roar for kids coping with serious illness! Many thanks to Bead Challenge 2017 presenting sponsor Northwestern Mutual and supporting sponsor Soda Lime Times.

- Contributed by Cristal Rogers, Marketing and Communications Intern, Beads of Courage