Welcome Back To the Butterfly Chronicles

Hi all, Welcome back to the Butterfly Chronicles. I know it has been a while since I posted, and some of you are wondering what I have been up to. Well, as most of you know, besides raising awareness for those with Special needs, I am also passionate about politics. Over the past several months, I have been busy helping my friends up and down the ticket and celebrating their accomplishments as they start their next chapter in public service. Now that the midterms are over, I thought since it has been a while, I would take a moment to tell you about myself and the mission behind the Butterfly Chronicles.

My name is Nicole Cleveland, and I am your average Midwest (Iowan) girl. I love my Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Sports teams. Yes, I am a Bears fan and proud of it. I grew up in a small town in northwest Iowa,

and If you're asking, the winters are less desirable, but I would not live any place else. Come to Iowa, and you will soon discover that we are that nice, I promise. I learned this growing up while living with a rare genetic disorder known as Turner Syndrome. I was born with this disorder, and my parents were told that my quality of life would be limited at best and that I could never walk normally. They were given the worst and prayed for the best.

Soon I surprised the medical experts and was walking normally and would never sit still. I still faced many hurdles and trips to the university of Iowa Children's Hospital and the ER growing up. I was in and out of the ER so much that I knew most of the nurses and Doctors by their first names. Living with TS is difficult with daily medications and shots, and, not to mention, the frustration of being below the average height, can often feel like you are treading water.

This is what led me to start the Butterfly Chronicles in 2020. After serving eight years in elective office, I decided I wanted to focus on my other passion of being an advocate for special needs. I wanted to create a place to give others living with TS, and special needs hope, encouragement, and resources to help navigate our daily lives. I wanted to share my story and others in hopes that you will understand that you are not alone and that others like you are going through the same thing.

I hope that you will join me as I share my story and highlight others, and in time I hope you will feel encouraged enough to share your journey with me. Let's spread our wings and sore together. As Betty White said, "Butterflies are like women . we may look pretty and delicate, but baby, we can fly through a hurricane " never underestimate your strength and courage, and this site is here to encourage you to do just that