Newspaper Columns
from the Londoner
Columns : Previous .|. INDEX .|. Next
 Heather Storey's life of
courage and determination
I like to write about people who have overcome adversity and have a positive influence on our youth. Let me tell you Heather Storey's story.
She is a Fanshawe College counsellor working with students who have disabilities - physical, psychological and neurological. She met me in the student services waiting room and ordered me to follow her turbo-propped wheelchair.
Heather was born with congenital disorders that left her with one arm shortened above the elbow and two 11-inch-long stunted legs.
She describes herself as unique, noting she doesn't want to be called special. "Society has a negative spin to the designation special - you know, nice but with low expectations."
When you are three feet, six and one-half inches tall you stand out. She warned me not to forget the one-half inch.
Paradoxically, she had to live in three worlds - numerous surgeries necessitated long hospital stays at Sick Kids in Toronto; a regular kid in the neighbourhood; and a poster child for Easter Seals.
The medical establishment was uncomfortable with her imperfections and tried to make her a cookie-cutter mirror image of how we are all supposed to look. The docs fashioned an artificial arm and a set of stilts that made walking impossible; some genius then suggested amputating her feet so they could attach a pair of artificial limbs.
School had its ups and downs - a few children were cruel but most accepted her. When she moved to Sarnia she wasn't allowed to go to school on day one - the principal wanted to warn the students. Her first day was filled with furtive nervous glances by her classmates. Never mind, she was adopted by her guardian angel, "Fonzie", a black leather jacketed tough kid who was her constant protector.
The school work became progressively harder, especially math and reading. Everyone focussed on her physical deficiencies and paid little attention to the possibility that she had a learning disability. A sheltered workshop was offered up as a solution but Heather had always wanted to be a doctor and decided to keep on trucking. A career waiting tables, carrying heavy trays, was not a viable alternative
Life as a poster child had its good and bad aspects.
"You're selected because you are special," Heather says. "You sure stand out when you are different from the rest of the crowd. You get to meet important people, which is exciting, but too soon you understand that you have been chosen because you are handicapped."
Heather continued her education, first at Port Huron Junior College for a BA and then Wayne State University for a master's degree in education.
Heather has found her niche, counselling and advocating for students.
She works with people with congenital problems, as well as those with injury or illness.
"It's hard for people with injury because their world of work, family and even church attendance has been turned upside down. Society tends to focus on the medical side but forgets about the needs of the heart and spirit that need nurturing."
Heather is impatient with the slow pace of change in society to accept and give a helping hand to those who are less fortunate. She is tired of people not giving due consideration. Public access in the year 2003 shouldn't be a concern.
Heather's disabilities have made her a survivor. She has endured physical and emotional trials of life and yet is a happy, vital woman with a contagious belly laugh. She has developed an ability to be patient.
"Many of us make too many quick judgmental calls with little time for the input of others," She says.
She is a fighter who has learned the prayer, "God grant me the serenity. to accept the things I can not change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." It was a wonderful two hour meeting that I will never forget.
Columns : Previous .|. INDEX .|. Next
|
Newspaper Columns