Butterflies symbolize hope, freedom and diversity. They also symbolize fragility and transience. Like human beings, butterflies have a fleeting beauty. Moreover, butterflies begin their lives as catepillars and must enter the chrysalis stage before taking flight with their glorious wings.

For these reasons, the butterfly symbol is particularly suited to the disabled community. In general, disabled individuals must approach everyday tasks in unique ways. Disabled people, like those around them, are fragile because their mental or physical experiences differ from the majority. Some disabled individuals are stronger than their nondisabled peers in terms of wisdom, strength or character. Just like any people group, some have pleasant personalities, some do not. Some like baseball, some do not. In that sense, every human being is a "butterfly": disabled people may seem more vulnerable than others, but everyone experiences significant vulnerability in some area of their lives.

As we work to better our lives and those of others, I hope that this symbol inspires us to work with other minorities in developing strategies for social integration, acceptance and participation.

Ultimately, I hope it inspires us to see that there are no "minorities," only people living together in a strange and wonderful world.

Meghan Schrader
President