A Valuable Lifelong Friendship

When I was in the 3rd grade, the teachers gathered all the students into an assembly where we watched a short film about a young girl named Lisa Olson. Lisa was born without arms or legs and after attending a special school for children with disabilities, she was about to be mainstreamed into our class. The video, called "The Same Inside," showed us how Lisa got around in her wheelchair and how she did things using her small arm or her prosthetic arm. The video showed how we could be a friend and what we might do to make Lisa feel supported and welcomed.

Lisa became well known throughout our elementary school, especially because she was willing to give students speedy rides down the hallway on the back of her chair. It was not until two years later that I really got to know Lisa on a personal level. My mother was hired by the school district as Lisa's one-on-one teacher's aide. She would attend every class with Lisa, getting out her books, taking notes, and tending to her personal care needs. Lisa and I started to have lunch together, study together and Lisa would sometimes stay at our house if her mom was traveling for work. Lisa was a representative for a children's charity based in NY and we often went to events together. I would help her style her hair and make-up. The highlight was in 1990, when Lisa and I performed on a Broadway stage, at the Wintergarden Theater, home of "Cats", with a musical rendition of "That's What Friends are For." I played the flute and Lisa, the omnichord.

When Lisa was in the 10th grade, she moved away with her mom. We kept in touch. Lisa went on to graduate high school and college, study abroad, and make her mark with a career in higher education. Lisa served in the field of admissions and career counseling at Regent University for ninteen years. She impacted the paths of countless graduates until her position was eliminated in 2021.

In 2012, Lisa's mother, Marie Olson, passed away following a brave battle with Alzheimer's Disease. From the time Lisa was adopted from an orphanage in India in 1980, until her mother's illness made it impossible, in 2008, Marie was Lisa's sole caregiver. She met Lisa's every need with love and selflessness. Since that time, Lisa has had to employ caregivers to assist her with the daily tasks you and I take for granted. While Lisa has been blessed to have many wonderful caregivers throughout the years, her longing for the type of loving care that only a mother can provide, has left a great hole in Lisa's heart and in her emotional wellbeing. It has also left a substantial hole in Lisa's financial wellbeing.

Although Lisa maintained full-time employment throughout her adult life, her monthly income has never been sufficient to cover the full cost of hired caregivers. Until recently becoming unemployed, her base salary was $43,000 annually. Her current caregiving cost is $86,892 annually. The majority of her retirement and savings, accumulated while her mom was her caregiver, has been depleted to pay for the caregiving deficit left since her passing.  Each month, it remains unknown if her financial needs will be met. 

Consistent and accountable caregivers are vital to her ability to survive day-to-day and Lisa desires to thrive; to travel, to share her story and inspire others. 

Because my life has been blessed by crossing paths with Lisa, I feel strongly that our friendship has gifted me with a way and a purpose to be a more empathetic and generous person. By occasionally serving as Lisa's limbs, I am performing the work of two strong and capable women, but it never feels like enough. Financially and emotionally, I want to do more, but I can't do it alone.

In 2023, I published my first children’s book, the proceeds of which are earmarked for Lisa’s monthly caregiving shortage.  "Glory Be!" is a children's fable, inspired by true life events, including my friendship with Lisa. The story serves to remind us that we are created perfectly, in the image of God, to fulfill a purpose in this life.  

Through the magical story of Glory, the fragile monarch butterfly, we have been able to raise over $5,000 through book sales and speaking events.  That is equal to approximately two weeks of caregiving.  Lisa’s needs are daily and unending.  At this time, we need to increase our efforts to make her story of acceptance and hope known to more people.  Stay tuned here for more information on how you can help us on this mission.

Thank you in advance for your love and support of Lisa, through the purchase of my book “Glory Be!” and involvement in my brand community, Weather the Storms LLC.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.” -Psalm 139:14

https://www.gofundme.com/f/lisa-olsons-caregiving-support