A reflection by Dr. Gabrielle Rushing
People with tattoos often get asked why they chose to get specific things tattooed, especially if they only have a few. In January 2024, I flew to Phoenix, AZ, for a tattoo appointment with Meagan Lee, who specializes in fine line work. Fine line tattooing uses small needles (often a single needle) to create a thin, delicate, intricate tattoo design evoking fine artwork.
I received 5 tattoos that day and one of them was of a bee. When Jennifer asked me the ‘why’ behind the bee, I explained that it was for 2 main reasons: (1) a bee is a hard-working creature, and (2) it is a tiny living being that has the ability for great impact. Think of what bees do for just a moment – they don’t just make honey but rather, bees alone pollinate approximately 80% of all flowering plants, including many fruits and vegetables that we consume. A single honeybee pollinates ~5,000 flowers per day, which is really exciting to think about.
Getting the bee tattoo reminds me daily that even though I am one person, my small, daily efforts can have a long-lasting, major impact as time goes on. I encourage you to think about this as it relates to the rare disease community. Just as a bee's small efforts in pollination lead to the flourishing of vast ecosystems, so too do the small acts of families in the rare disease world leave a lasting impact. Each advocacy effort, each fundraising initiative, and each moment of support may seem small on its own, but collectively they create a powerful force for change, much like the buzzing of bees amidst a field of flowers.