Michelle Sie Whitten Has Chispa

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Michelle_Sie_Whitten_Has_Chispa_Chispa_Magazine

Michelle Sie Whitten: Mom, Wife, Daughter, Sister, Loyal Friend, Confidant, The “Go-to,” The “Fixer,” Boss, Colleague, Workaholic, Party Planner, Organizer, Worrier, “Principessa” to Her Italian Grandfather, Michelob to Her Big Bro, and Chicken Butt (only to her 9-year-old son and in context of his never ending “Guess What? You’re a…” 

What have you overcome? The hardest thing I have overcome is my own anger, disdain and lack of tolerance for anyone I have perceived as discriminating against me or my family. It took me a very long time to either forgive or not get too bothered by people who didn’t believe in my parents’ interracial marriage, in me, my four siblings, or my children—especially my child with Down syndrome.

I think being brought up strict and hardworking by immigrant parents was the beginning of my “endurance.” Then throughout my career in the cable TV industry in China I had many challenges and tests. I worked hard, perhaps too hard, and never gave up. But, it wasn’t until I got the prenatal diagnosis indicating my daughter would have Down syndrome that I felt my ability to endure was actually being well spent. Suddenly working hard, taking on that marathon for her, for people with Down syndrome—it all made perfect sense. It was what I was meant to do.

Today, running the Global Down Syndrome Foundation, I can work as hard as I ever did but feel much more rewarded knowing we are improving people’s lives. At the same time my daughter has taught me how to be in the present versus at a future point of achievement, and how to enjoy every accomplishment and to see accomplishment where perhaps I saw none before.

For more of Michelle Sie Whitten, and the many faces of perseverance order your copy The Overcoming Issue here.

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Mavian Arocha-Rowe

Mavian Arocha-Rowe

Editor-in-Chief at Chispa Magazine
Mavian Arocha-Rowe is known as an asset to the business and communications industry and is motivating and advocating “your authenticity should be your strategy,” for all women, regardless of their season and roles. For the past 20 years she has directed magazines, plus multiple art and marketing departments as creative director and brand manager. What supersedes all of her great career moves is her role as wife and mother living in Atlanta. Challenging herself to discover and bravely pursue the calling for her life, Arocha-Rowe helps other women discover and pursue their life’s assignment. She is a passionate, and loud-laughing speaker on the topic of purposefully redeemed, and mentors young women so they can exercise a mind that is doctrinally pure, along with a heart that beats toward sanctification. She will almost never turn down Marlow’s Tavern double-tavern cheeseburger, a cooking-demonstration from Leaning Ladder, or any opportunity to head to Miami to spend time with family.

Mavian Arocha-Rowe

Mavian Arocha-Rowe is known as an asset to the business and communications industry and is motivating and advocating “your authenticity should be your strategy,” for all women, regardless of their season and roles. For the past 20 years she has directed magazines, plus multiple art and marketing departments as creative director and brand manager. What supersedes all of her great career moves is her role as wife and mother living in Atlanta. Challenging herself to discover and bravely pursue the calling for her life, Arocha-Rowe helps other women discover and pursue their life’s assignment. She is a passionate, and loud-laughing speaker on the topic of purposefully redeemed, and mentors young women so they can exercise a mind that is doctrinally pure, along with a heart that beats toward sanctification. She will almost never turn down Marlow’s Tavern double-tavern cheeseburger, a cooking-demonstration from Leaning Ladder, or any opportunity to head to Miami to spend time with family.