Nietzsche's well-known quotation, "That which does not destroy me makes me stronger," exemplifies irrepressible resilience - the ability to bounce back after a setback (one of the characteristics of appreciative intelligence). Rather than letting their setbacks, disappointments or tragedies keep them down, some people actually turn their heartbreak into joy and their misfortune into fortune.
This entry is the first in a series about women who are creating lives they love out of challenging situations.

Laura - the mother of Joey, a child who is confined to a wheelchair and has significant challenges learning and communicating because of cerebral palsy - is one of those people. The way she has transformed herself as an exceptional parent and person is inspiring.

Although many people saw Laura's and Joey's relationships only as a one-way role - with Laura as mom, caregiver and after-school teacher of Joey - Laura saw things differently. "Joey's my teacher," she said. "He has taught me a lot about patience and courage. He is also teaching my other children tolerance, compassion and patience."

Whereas some people saw her daily activities as a schedule brimming with mental and physical demands, Laura looked at her life's lessons and experiences as an opportunity to help others. In her view, they provided the opening for becoming a  writer. When she wrote her first article about Joey and her family, she drew on a difficult memory to summon the courage to submit the story for publication. "At the hospital [after Joey was born], they came to me and told me what was wrong with him. I figured nothing could be harder than learning that. Someone not liking my writing is nothing compared to having that conversation," she asserted. The article was published.

She sees her relationship with Joey in a new perspective - as a two-way street of learning and teaching She appreciates what is positive in their interactions - the opening for strength, tolerance, compassion and love. She sees how a better future for many people comes from the situation at hand - by capturing and sharing her knowledge and experiences with Joey in the articles she writes. Laura's story is a shining example of appreciative intelligence. It's also evidence that regardless of the circumstances we encounter, we have choices about transforming ourselves into being people who live in either a state of disappointment or who can smile at the end of a day.