My Personal Reflection as an Illustrator
“Lillibeth?”
That was my immediate response when author Eileen Almario asked if I had heard of her sister. It was a humbling moment for me—living here in the United States, yet unaware of a fellow kababayan who had made such profound history.
Lillibeth Navarro was a Presidential Awardee and a trailblazing advocate for the disability and elderly communities. As Eileen shared her sister’s journey—from early health struggles to remarkable triumphs—I was deeply moved. Contracting polio in infancy never dimmed Lillibeth’s compassion. After completing her college education, she founded Bahay Buhay, an organization supporting individuals with disabilities in the Philippines.
Her devotion to helping others eventually brought her to California, where she became a vital leader in the movement that helped shape and pass the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. Using a wheelchair never stopped her from leading protests or scaling the steps of Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Though Lillibeth passed away on September 11, 2023, her legacy lives on through the countless lives transformed by her life’s work.
I am deeply honored to have collaborated with Eileen Almario to bring We Are Lillibeth to life. Officially published today, this vibrant picture book aims to share Lillibeth’s story and raise awareness for CALIF ILC’s mission to help people with disabilities and the elderly thrive.
To honor Lillibeth’s spirit of giving, 100% of the proceeds from this book will go directly to CALIF ILC.
I hope you’ll join us in supporting this meaningful project. You can order your copy and support the cause using the link WE ARE LILLIBETH
