Who inspires you?
So many people have inspired me throughout my lifetime, starting with my parents. My dad showed me what it’s like to be a kind person. The man would never hurt a fly. He also demonstrated how hard he worked in his life. After my father passed away in 1996, his dad would remind me how hard my father worked by always having a job from an early age.
My mom inspired me to appreciate everything. She opened my eyes to the joy of food and how it brings families together. She taught me the importance of keeping someone new – new for a very long time. Money wasn’t something to throw away.
I’ve had teachers inspire me as well. Early on, there were men like the late Tom Jones (yes, his real name), and Warren Williams. Harry Cooper inspired me to look at life through an artistic side. Eileen Palmer, then Prescavage, inspired me to do better and gave me a second chance when teaching me chemistry.
Tony Capitano, although I did not know it at the time, inspired me to write from the heart. He was and will always be my mentor for all things I’ve written and will write in the future. To this day, when I write, I wonder if Mr. Cap is reading my words. I’ve always wanted to do him proud.
Maybe a sports figure inspires you. The late Vince Lombardi inspired me when I growing up. Lombardi’s work ethic and the ability to motivate others to strive for perfection was second to none. To this day, I’m highly critical of what I produce, whether it’s a written piece or a photograph.
A sports figure who has inspired me isn’t Mario Andretti, Wilt Chamberlin, Arnold Palmer or even Michael Jordan. The sports figure who inspires me was born and raised right here in Wyoming Valley. She continues on and is still active in her sport.
Stephanie Jallen grew up in Harding, graduated from Wyoming Area and was a two-time Paralympic bronze medal winner 3 ½ years ago in Sochi, Russia.
Stephanie was born with a condition so rare there have only been approximately 60 known cases in the world. CHILD syndrome, which is Congenital Hemidysplasia with Ichthyosis and Limb Defects Syndrome, is a mouthful. In other words, one side of her body was underdeveloped, causing her left leg to be amputated above the knee. It also means she has suffered through skin rashes that have prevented her from using her prosthetic leg. It wasn’t until recently die she discover a treatment to help her skin issues.
Stephanie has inspired me in so many ways. I’ve learned from her that nothing is impossible, we all can succeed with hard work, dreams can turn into reality and, most importantly, there’s no such word as can’t.
Next spring, Stephanie will embark on a trip to South Korea to participate in her second Paralympic Games. It could be her last. Her body has taken a beating over the last 11 years of flying down a slope at nearly 70 mph. I can’t imagine doing it on two legs, let alone doing it on one.
Stephanie is pretty much a household name in Great Pittston and she’s known worldwide. Since all other females on her level are two-legged, it’s safe to say she is the world’s best one-legged skier, bar none.
Soon enough, she will call it a career and then it will be time to decide what to do next. If you’ve ever heard Stephanie speak publically, you know she’s incredible. She’s been incredible since she was 10 years old.
I have been telling her for years, with her successes on the slope, her inspiring story conquering CHILDS and her magnetic personality, combined with her ability for public speaking, she can be a motivational speaking lecturing all over the country.
Before a career can happen, she will focus on the ski season this fall leading up to the games in South Korea. If you would like to support Stephanie in her goal to get to South Korea, the Fourth Annual Comedy Dinner Show will be held right from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30 at St. Joseph Marello Parish Hall, William Street, Pittston.
Professional comedians from Wisecrackers Comedy Club will provide the entertainment for the evening from 7 to 9 p.m. A meet and greet and dinner will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost is only $25 for dinner, dessert, beverages, beer or BYOB.
I’d love to see Stephanie’s hometown give her a great sendoff to this year’s ski season. For further information on becoming a sponsor or to purchase tickets, go to www.stephaniejallen.org or call 570-690-3028.
Quote of the week
“I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I cry. And I know you do the same things, too. So we’re really not that different, me and you.” – Colin Raye, American country singer.
Thought of the week
“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and let it come in.” – Lewis Carroll, English writer.
Bumper sticker
“Stay the course, light a star, change the world where’er you are.” – Richard La Gillienne, English author.
