The Power of Stories module has been incredibly inspiring to me. Sharing our stories not only brings us together, but it also helps us find direction and purpose. By listening to the stories of others in our community, we gain invaluable insights and perspectives. StoryCorps eloquently suggests that “Poetry and wisdom can be found in every story,” and I wholeheartedly agree. There is so much to be gained from stories—whether they are our own or those of others—and through them, we begin to truly understand one another.
One video that particularly stood out to me was The Power of Stories, created by Library 2.0 in collaboration with Michael Stephens and Yarra Library. It chronicles the journey of a librarian who developed innovative programs at her library inspired by her own family’s struggles and joys. This video touched me deeply and motivated me to share my story here.
Fifteen years ago, I was a third-grade teacher, and a mother to both a three year old and a newborn daughter. My life was busy and joyful, and I regularly took my girls to storytime and various events at our local library. But everything changed when, during my youngest daughter’s two-year check-up, we discovered that she hadn’t gained weight for a couple of months. After some tests, we learned that she had a brain tumor. Tragically, due to complications, she passed away just six months later. The grief was overwhelming, and I couldn’t fathom returning to my teaching job and was just putting one foot in front of the other.
During this heartbreaking time, our local librarian showed immense kindness and compassion. In honor of my daughter, she made a special nameplate and placed it on the backs of all of my daughter’s favorite books at the library. Her thoughtful gesture was a small light during a time of darkness. She also encouraged me to apply for a job at the library, suggesting that a change of pace might be helpful. I took her advice and applied for a position as a substitute library specialist. At that time, it was the perfect fit for me. The work provided a sense of purpose during a time when my life felt completely out of control.
As the years passed, my life continued to unfold in unexpected ways. I became pregnant with my third child, and when he was born, we learned he had Down syndrome. Being a parent of a child with a disability has been one of the most profound learning experiences of my life, not only about myself but also about our culture. My son has a visual disability, which means that people can recognize his disability simply by looking at him. He also has a developmental disability, and in our culture, individuals with this diagnosis are often still marginalized and segregated.
In 2017, I transitioned to a new role as a library associate on the reference staff. This position offered me more opportunities to influence programming and contribute to committees. Over time, I was able to help implement changes that made our library more inclusive, such as adding social stories to our website and distributing sensory kits to all of our branches. A year ago, I helped establish the Disability Advocacy Team (DAT), a system-wide group dedicated to working with administration to make changes within our organization. I am incredibly proud of this initiative, which continues to grow and evolve. We now hold two meetings each month: one with a core group of representatives from each branch and department to discuss the team’s direction, and another open meeting for anyone across the system. At these general meetings, we host trainings, often with outside agencies, to provide valuable information about disability services to staff. We also make space for questions, feedback, and suggestions from attendees.
The journey from grief to purpose has been anything but easy, but it has been transformative. The power of stories—our own and those of others—has given me strength and direction in ways I never could have imagined. It’s amazing how sharing our personal stories can lead to growth, understanding, and a sense of community.
References:
Library 2.0.(2020, March 11). The Power of Stories. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvZlTRTVX10&t=16s
StoryCorps.(2015, Sept 15). An Introduction to StoryCorps from our Founder, Dave Isay. [Video]. You Tube. An Introduction to StoryCorps from our Founder, Dave Isay