Triumphs through ADVERSITY-A Tribute to My Daughter Laura Cerrano
As many of you know, my daughter Laura is a New York Feng Shui Consultant and Owner of Feng Shui Manhattan. She is also a recent graduate of SUNY New Paltz New York and has earned with honors both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and A Bachelor of Science in Art Education. She is also a Certified Personal Trainer as well as Certified in Willpower and Grace and is currently taking courses in Qi Gong. She is 24 years old.
Yes, I'm a proud mother but Laura doesn't have a "usual" story. It's a personal one that she's allowing me to share-to inspire others. She hopes it helps motivate others and plans to do exactly that with the children she will someday be teaching.
Laura was adopted from Colombia, South America in 1984. We had adopted my son, Adam, two years previous and had been able to go get him when he was just three months old. Times had changed and we were advised not to travel to Columbia during the dangerous times.
We opted to pay additional fees and expenses to have someone bring Laura to us and with inevitable delays, we did not get her until she was six months old. Although we had paid to have her placed with a family, it was clear that she hadn't been. Her bones would literally crack in her legs and the doctor suspected she had not been removed from a very small crib very often.
She did not like to be held; she did not make eye contact and was extremely sensitive to even the slightest noises. She was eventually diagnosed at the age of 2 ½ as "Learning Disabled." I had work to do-and so did she.
Through the years, I was repeatedly told by the school that she would never be able to graduate high school. I went to more meetings that I can remember to mainstream her in one class each year and the school fought me every step of the way.
When Laura was old enough, I allowed her to sit in on the meetings. She'd hear her teachers, the school psychologist, and other "heads" of departments say she'd never be able to keep up. I'd explain to her that it would take a LOT of HARD WORK and did she want to try a "new" class.
To her credit, she never said no. She was always up to a challenge and she was ready to take it on. Eventually we battled them together. Districts lose money when you remove a child from special education, you see. But I saw in Laura such a determination to succeed and more then that, perhaps, to PROVE THEM WRONG.
The day she graduated High School (on time and with a Regents Diploma) was, I thought, the happiest day of my life. Until the day she graduated college with a GPA of 3.6.
I told a recent Feng Shui client with a "challenged" child that children rise to YOUR expectations of them. You can help instill determination into them every single day with encouragement and love.
I have no doubt that Laura will always remember HER life lessons and be able to help many children AND clients who's path she crosses.
A few shots of the GREAT DAY---Congratulations Laura Cerrano!
Over 900 Graduates...I Never thought I'd see her!
I shouldn't have worried...she saw ME! Laura is on the right with her good friend and dorm mate Kate.
It was 50 degrees and raining on and off...but this other mother caught my eye. Tears were streaming down her face before the graduation even began--same as me.
Laura with her proud brother Adam. Adam is a baker and worked all night before driving up to New Paltz. As Gary would say, he wouldn't miss it for the world!
Oh, a quick update: Since Graduation on May 17th, she's been commissioned for Five Original pieces of Art for a new Feng Shui Construction!
http://www.FengShuiLI.com
**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island. Along with Feng Shui Consultant Laura Cerrano, on site Feng Shui Consultations provided for New York City (Manhattan) and all of Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction.
http://www.TheFengShuiVoice.com
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Carole - I know how proud you must be, and this had to do with your love and care. Yes parents need to stay involved with their children's education. Sad to say many have been told by the school system they can't make it but will family members believing in them their dreams can be realized.
Congratulations Laura, and I know your experience will help you to be more empathetic to others.