While mostly well-meaning when conveyed, I really dislike the term survivor.  Side note here – I just learned recently that the phrase “Bless his/her heart” doesn’t always have the literal intent.  The word survivor brings to mind someone barely clinging on to driftwood as the ship is sinking.

I don’t know what the correct exact term is to describe what I would rather want the kids to pick up – Overcomer? Anti-Fragile?  Resilient?  

I’ve settled on just teaching them Victoria Williams’ (who suffers from multiple sclerosis) song Crazy Mary (covered by Pearl Jam).  The song describes a woman who lives in poverty, in a old tar paper shack covered with newspapers, lit by a bare lightbulb.  And somehow she’s ok – “Mary rising above it all.”

We sing that line a lot.  It’s now become a catchphrase for many things

Noodle rising above it all.

Chicken McNuggets rising above it all.

Movie rising above it all.

Until I find a better concept, this will have to do