"The octopus, a remarkably bright creature, has been my inspiration & motivation—the soul of my beating heart. Since my amputation and added physical disability, the extra arms of the octopus have helped guide me through space and time with one fewer feet than I was born.
An octopus has three hearts so it can pump blood throughout its ever-changing body shape. That’s enough hearts to make room for my camaraderie and affection—to fit a bit of me inside him.
I see myself as having an octopus’ aura and I draw on tentaclesque connections to channel and express my inner cephalopod.
Here, Tilly the octopus is my sage, my guide, and my friend as I swim into the light."