It is my privilege to share this. Thank you Heather. You are very dear to our entire family.
Hi Karla,
I just found about the problems for Lisa, and her upcoming surgery from
Chari. I feel so sad and want to share a memory or two. Lisa will always be dear
to me. Your mother was not only a good friend, but often like a sister. We
confided in each other the way sisters do. I remembered the day your mom told
me about Lisa's sickness. We also lived in the same trailer court as Lisa and your
folks. We visited alot, and talked about the messy environment the trailer court
was kept in. I believed that this is how Lisa contracted viral encephalitis
I was shocked, because I was around the same stuff with Kim. I am not sure who left
the trailer court first, but we still kept in touch. I remember the day I called
your mom, and said to her I think it's time Lisa started dance lessons. She became
so quiet and remarked about all Lisa's problems. It took me about a month
or so to convince her that it would not hurt Lisa and maybe could help. If
not it may be just something she and I could do together. It was decided that I
would teach her in my basement where I taught all the other girls and a few boys.
Lisa would have private lessons and I would work with her first to see how she
progressed .After a few lessons in just dancing I could see she wasn't
very interested, so I took her upstairs and we did a couple of things on the carpet,
like the pencil roll, and she could push up to a bridge with my assistance. She
laughed, I think it made her feel different..Before the lesson was over, Kim came
home from school. When she saw what we were doing, she joined us. Lisa was
excited and watched Kim, then she wanted to do the same thing. Lisa wasn't as impressed
when I did them. So, Kim became my assistant and we scheduled Lisa classes
after school so Kim would be home. It was during this time that Lisa learned
the forward roll and a few other simple things. When it came to the head stand,
your dad participated and Lisa was delighted and just had to do what dad did. Then
I remembered your mother told me she did and could still do a cartwheel. So mom
was in charge of that. That was the beginning, and Lisa's hard work led the way.
I began to put skill moves together and she practiced at home of course it had cartwheels
and headstands in it. When I realized she could learn and remember the sequences
I knew we could do it. So, after a year she began two classes, one still
at my home and the other at a dance studio I rented with another teacher down town
at Knights of Columbus Hall. I loved teaching her gymnastics with the other students
and she would even try dance steps, because the girls made her feel good. When Lisa
would not try or pay attention I would be stern with her and the other students
got mad and told me to treat her nicer. I explained to them, that Lisa could do those
things she just didn't think she could. So, we got along and she progressed
even more. Than that studio burned down and I got the one by myself on East street.
From there you know the story because you began dance at the new studio.
Now when Lisa learned her first floor routine.I wanted her to be Chari. I feel so sad and want to share a memory or two. Lisa will always be dear
to me. Your mother was not only a good friend, but often like a sister. We
confided in each other the way sisters do. I remembered the day your mom told
me about Lisa's sickness. We also lived in the same trailer court as Lisa and your
folks. We visited alot, and talked about the messy environment the trailer court
was kept in. I believed that this is how Lisa contracted viral encephalitis
I was shocked, because I was around the same stuff with Kim. I am not sure who left
the trailer court first, but we still kept in touch. I remember the day I called
your mom, and said to her I think it's time Lisa started dance lessons. She became
so quiet and remarked about all Lisa's problems. It took me about a month
or so to convince her that it would not hurt Lisa and maybe could help. If
not it may be just something she and I could do together. It was decided that I
would teach her in my basement where I taught all the other girls and a few boys.
Lisa would have private lessons and I would work with her first to see how she
progressed .After a few lessons in just dancing I could see she wasn't
very interested, so I took her upstairs and we did a couple of things on the carpet,
like the pencil roll, and she could push up to a bridge with my assistance. She
laughed, I think it made her feel different..Before the lesson was over, Kim came
home from school. When she saw what we were doing, she joined us. Lisa was
excited and watched Kim, then she wanted to do the same thing. Lisa wasn't as impressed
when I did them. So, Kim became my assistant and we scheduled Lisa classes
after school so Kim would be home. It was during this time that Lisa learned
the forward roll and a few other simple things. When it came to the head stand,
your dad participated and Lisa was delighted and just had to do what dad did. Then
I remembered your mother told me she did and could still do a cartwheel. So mom
was in charge of that. That was the beginning, and Lisa's hard work led the way.
I began to put skill moves together and she practiced at home of course it had cartwheels
and headstands in it. When I realized she could learn and remember the sequences
I knew we could do it. So, after a year she began two classes, one still
at my home and the other at a dance studio I rented with another teacher down town
at Knights of Columbus Hall. I loved teaching her gymnastics with the other students
and she would even try dance steps, because the girls made her feel good. When Lisa
would not try or pay attention I would be stern with her and the other students
got mad and told me to treat her nicer. I explained to them, that Lisa could do those
things she just didn't think she could. So, we got along and she progressed
even more. Than that studio burned down and I got the one by myself on East street.
From there you know the story because you began dance at the new studio.
in the Special Olympics, but they said she was too young. I remember your
folks and I going to Chicago and attending a type of gymnastics workshop.
I talked with many and so did your mom, I think your dad was there also at
that moment. And they said that they would talk to the Administrators and see
if they would except Lisa because of her skill level which was way above most her
age. At that time I became a volunteer with Special Olympics to coach Lisa and help
others as well. It was nice Karla when you became her coach you were so supportive
of her. Lisa, became a champion when she first started in the Special Olympic
Program. She never complained about anything I asked her to do. She had the right
attitude and worked hard and made herself the champion she became. She deserved
everything that came to her in her competitive world. She earned it!! I am
happy she had the experience and enjoyed her run. A few years after her competition
years were over. I was teaching at The Children's Foundation and for some reason
had my picture in the paper. Lisa talked to me and said it was about time I had
my picture in the paper, because when I was working with her it was she that had
her picture in the paper all the time. When Lisa is your friend, you know you
have a lifetime friend. .I am now volunteering in a Marcfrist program. It is for adults
and I hoped Lisa would be there. It is during her work hours
so she can not make it. Marcfirst use to be called Marc Center. Reason I have
done this. Is my fondness for Lisa and a way to help many of her friends, You see
I always ask them if they know Lisa. Those that have said yes, say what a wonderful
person she is and they wish she could be with us, but she is working. Commitment
is what Lisa is all about. A beautiful soul. One I am privileged to know. Thinking
about Lisa, your whole family, and praying for you and with you. As ever, Heather.
Heather is part of the reason that Lisa is who she is. She is so humble that she would not agree to that statement. But it is true. Lisa loves her and I cannot imagine the sister I would have today (nor do I want to) if it were not for her.
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