Origins of our Logo . . .

People often ask the origins of our logo, a five-petaled flower with a heart in the middle. One day, in 1988, I was drawing a flower for one of my workshops. I asked Maria to colour one. She was starting to be quite ill at the time.

Maria had experienced a successful career. Nurse and administrator, she was now suffering from multi-infarct. The transition from and active life to a care facility where social and intellectual stimulations were different made her sad and frustrated.

Maria's face became alive and happy as the staff was encouraging and congratulating her for her ability to colour so beautifully. She enjoyed colouring the flower so much and with perfection. During nine years as she was suffering from cognitive impairment, she coloured thousands of them, all the while smiling, receiving compliments, and feeling useful. Maria was experiencing a stronger sense of belonging and dignity. Her environment became more positive.

I now have 15,000 flowers…they are not just paperwork but each of them is like an art piece because they each contain a “love story”…I hope they will go around the world to spread a message of Compassion. They are already on the way…..