Braille 200 wishes you all a happy Draw-a-Bird Day!
What? You’ve never heard of this Special day?
Well then, let’s change that real quick:
Many observance days don’t really have a proper origin story.
But this one does!
In 1943, little Dorie Cooper, who was born on an April 8th, visited her uncle in the hospital together with her mother.
He had lost a leg to a landmine in the war and was in a tough place, both physically and mentally.
To cheer him up, Dorie suggested he draw her a picture of a bird.
So he did her the favor and started sketching a robin that was sitting in a tree just outside the window.
When he finished, he proudly showed the drawing to his niece. And as children have done since the dawn of time, she responded with unfiltered honesty that he wasn’t exactly the most talented artist, but she would still hang the picture up in her room.
Apparently, the story spread among the other patients, because:
Every time Dorie came to visit, cheerful little drawing contests would pop up.
The finished artworks were then displayed all around the ward.
Sadly, Dorie Cooper passed away just three years later, after a car accident.
At her funeral, many former patients and even hospital staff came to pay their respects.
They decorated her coffin with countless drawings of birds.
Since then, April 8th has been observed in the UK and over the years, in many other countries as well
by drawing a bird.
A gentle reminder to appreciate the small joys in life.
In that spirit, Braille 200 proudly presents the Braille Bird by “einfachmachbar.de” as today’s contribution to DAB-Day!
And the truly amazing part? It’s sitting on a branch! Just like that very first robin back in 1943!
On this Occasion, we would also like to remind you of the Braille calendar for 2026.
You can find everything you need to know for this here
useful links:
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