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Show F Page 13 - Ssasss-- ' wsum m wjtm m Ustiaim " 1 Basin LIFE November 13, 2001 Uintah Basin Standard RARE DISEASE Spunky 1 1 -- year-old girl doesn't hide under her hat BvTherena Morrill When Amity Richardson read the Basin Briefr intheUintah Basin Standard last week, she was particularly interested in the announcement re- garding Locks of Love, an organization that provides quality hairpieces to children suffering from hair toss due to certain illnesses. Amitys daughter, Vanessa, suffers from an condition called Alopecia Areata, and she is totally bald. Eleven year old Vanessa, a sixth grader at Roosevelt Middle School, started toeing her hair at age seven. Today she has not only lost all of the hair on her head, but she has also lost her eyelashes sod is starting to lose her eyebrows. It isnt easy being an eleven year old girl without any liair. She has been kicked and hit at in the city park by three girls calling her baldy. Older auto-immu- s M home, with the curtai ns closed, watch-ingTs,v She hadafew good friends, but was too depressed to play with them. Then one day I saw a girl on TV who was bald, said Vanessa. "She had a disease that made her get old real fast. She was going to die pretty soon. kids drive by in cars and shout names So I dedded I might aa well have fiin at her. The teasing used to be so bad before I die. that Vaneesasolderbrother, Zachary, It isnt known what causes Alopewould ride her to school on the back of cia Areataand there is no cure. Vanessa his bike. Vanessa is an optimistic receives regular care from her physiVANESSA RICHARDSON poses every four months. young lady but she can! understand cian, with check-up- s for her school picture wearing the conShe takes medication to help her why Borne kids tease her about someher teacher, Mr. Heaton, gave hat trol accompanyingprobleme with her thing over which she has no control. her. It was made by his mother. I used to tease people, Vanessa thyroid gland. But her best hope at said, but now I know what it feels tins point for a normal appearance is to receive a prosthetic hair pioce from pose for the newspaper picture withlike so I don't do it anymore. out her hat . When Vanessa first tost her hair, LocksofLove. IU let you take my picture withI hadn't ever heard of Locks of she stayed inside her house as much as out my hat so they I the readers can she could. Her mother made her go to Love until I read about it in the Stansee my bald head, she said. I hope school, but every morning was a crying dard, said Amity. She has obtained battle to get her there. After school the phone number for the theyll understand ... I hope a lot of bald girls will know that t hey are still in located Palm and on weekends, Vanessa would stoqr organization Springs, Florida, and iB in the process beautiful even though theyre bald. Vanessa won't lie able to have her of making application for Vanessa to AIDS EFFORT receive a hairpiece. wig in time for this Christmas. Once The wigs are custom made for each an applicant is accepted, there isulwut individual child, and it ia a lengthy a four month waiting Mriod, accordprocess. But once fitted, the child can ing to a spokesman at the Locks of Love foundation. But knowing that swim, run, do gymnastics, and there are people and resources hehind a normal child can do, withthe scenes helping her wisli become a out fear of the hairpiece falling off. Vanessa is exci tad about the idea of reality should make the time puss quickly. getting a wig. Its the number one more In the meantime, Vunessu goes on item on her Christmas wish list, said on board to help organize the effort. Amity. Until the wigarrives, Vanessa learning lifes lessons from her expewill probably continue wearinga hat, riences. She said she wants to tell the event by providing space and which has become somewhat ofa trade- people, Keepyour chin up. Be happy and go on with your lives. custodial services. USU Uintah Basin mark for the little girl. But hopefully, someduy soon But she doesn't hide behind her branch campus student bojy officers Vanessa will be able to put away the have arranged to serve refreshments hat In a bold way, reflecting her deto donors. termined spirit, Vanessa decided to hats and plugin the curling iron. Through the efforts ofthese people, local residents will have an opportunity to give of themselves in an effort to really make a difference in a child's life. A spokesman for the organization writes, The children wearing these hairpieces have tost more than their hair; they suffer from a toes ofself. We Getting a wig is the number item on her Christmas wish list USU BASIN CAMPUS v . v .': y ' s w . i A BOLD POSE Eleven year old Vanessa Richardson, who suffers from an illness called Alopecia Areata, which causes hair loss, poses with her hat off so others can see and hopefully learn from her experiences. Looking For a Few Good Bakers! Individuals or businesses interested in donating their time or baked goods for the bake sale at the Enchanted Forest should contact April at The Enchanted Forest will be held Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. The Enchanted Forest bake sale proceeds are donated to the Children's Justice Center. 722-575- 0. Essay Contest Time is running out! The Uintah Basin Medical Center Literacy Committee and Uintah Basin Standard are the "Let Freedom Ring Essay Contest. The contest has three divisions: ages 9 12; 13-1- 6 years; and 17 and older. Essays should be 1,000 words or less. Prises will be awarded. The deadline is this week! -- Duchesne Area Sub for Santa The Duchesne area Sub for Santa program has begun. Applications are available in the banks and stores in Dudiesne. Pick one up today. Area Quitters Meeting on There will be an area quitter's meeting Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Moon Lake building. Bring Christmas fabric for Christmas ornaments and heating bond tools. 4-- H Achievement Night Achievement Night will be Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 6:30-8:3- 0 p.m. Please RSVP by noon on Nov. 13. and leaders will receive recognition for their accomplishments during the past year. 4--H Young Single Adult Activities The LDS will be firesides adults 722-597- for more information. Try Out a New Hair Style and Help a Child! LocksofLove is takinghair do nationson Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 6 p.m. at the USU Student Center in Roosevelt. Locks of Love is a organization that provides the highest quality hair prosthetics to financially disadvantaged children with medical hair loss. Hair should be 10 inches tong. Shorter hair is accepted. Cash donations are accepted. Call 4 Sharon Mitchell or Rich Etchberger at or Jeneal Moosman at 4 for more information. 3-- 789-898- 722-229- Golden Couples to be Honored The Crossroads Senior Program will be honoring couples who have been married 50 years or more at their monthly dance Nov. 20. A meal will be served at 7 p.m. and dancing will begin at 8 p m. Come celebrate a lifetime of love! If you qualify for this honor or know someone who does, please call 6 Carol McBride at or 722-429- 722-469- 3. Special Veterans Program at East Veterans are invited to attend a special program to honor them on Friday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. andor 2 p.m. at East Elementary. The children would love to have as many veterans as possible come to the program. Hour Thanksgiving Story would The staff of the Duchesne like to invite all County Library preschool age pilgrims to the library for a Thanksgiving Celebration and Story Hour on Wednesday, Nov. 21 from 11: 15 a.m. to 12 noon. For more information contact a member of the library staff at 722-444- 1. Enchanted Forest Seeking Trees The Duchesne County Children's Justice Center is looking for people to provide and decorate Christmas trees for The Enchanted Forest, Nov. 29-De- c. 1. If interested, contact the Childrens Justice Center at 722-516- 4. Festival of Lights Parade Roosevelt invites to enter the Festival of Lights parade on Friday. City you Nov. 30. Parade entries must be lighted to kickoffs fun holiday season. For more information call the Chamber office at 8 or Roger Dart at 722-459- 722-736- Duchesne City Parade of Lights Duchesne City's annual Parade ofLighta be Saturday, beginning will Dec. 1, at Duchesne High at 6 p.m. All businesses, individuals, churches, and schools are urged to put an entry in the parade. Call the Duchesne City offices at or Clint Park at 1 for more or 38-24- information. OPY 738-531- 738-533- 9 By Therena Morrill People in the Uintah Basin will soon have an opportunity to offer a service to ill children who have tost their hair due to severe burns, radiation treatments, and other dermatological conditions resultingin temporary or permanent hair loss, thanks to some local people who cared enough to organizes very unique service project. An organization called Locks of Love provides custom-maohigh quality hair pieces and wigs to financially disadvantaged children with medical hair toes. They depend on donations of human hair to make the hairpieces, which are vacuum fitted to the child. Once fitted, the child is able to swim, do gymnastics, run, or any other activity without fear of the hairOnly the wearer piece falling off. can remove it by breaking the seal at the temples. Retail value of these hairpieces is about $3,500 but through Locks of Love, children can receive them and have the opportun ity to be kids again. Jeneal Mooeman, a student and an employee at Utah State University recently decided tocut her hair, which is about 14" long. A Elaine Band, suggested she donate the hair to Locks of Love. That sparked an interest with Jeneal because her sis ter died of cancer three years ago. Jeneal recalled how her sister had tost her hair prior to her death and wore a wig. Jeneal contacted Locks of Love and checked their credentials to make aura they were a legitimate organization. Two USU professors, Rich Etchberger andSharon Mitchell, came e, which children can rebuild their selfesteem, and regain the normally in their everyday lives that the rest ofus take for granted. Anyone who would like to donate their hair to LocksofLove can receive a free cut and style from a qualified beautician fromPrime CutSalon. They will be volunteering their services Nov. 14 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Utah State University Student Center in Roosevelt It is preferable that hair be at least 10 tong, but shorter hair is accepted. Hair should be dean and wet when arriving for the haircut. All donated hair will be placed into braids or ponytails and shipped to Locks of Love where it will be fashioned into the hair pieces. Shorter donated hair will be sold by Locks of Love to offset the cost of manufacturing the hairpieces. For more information about Locks of Love contact Jeneal Moosman at 4 ext 294, Rich Etchberger at 4 ext. 238, or Sharon Mitchell 4 ext. 235. at 722-229789-898- 789-898- any-thingel- se Vanessa's brother, Zachary1, helps look ON THEIR WAYTO SCHOOL out for his sister when people tease her. CREDITS OTHERS FOR HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS on Nov. 18 bolding young single and 25 at 7 p.m. at the institute. The Nov. 18 fireside will be presented by temple President and Sister Workman. On Saturday, Nov. 24 there will be a skeet shoot. Meet at 1: 15 p.m. at the institute. Call Judy Rawlins at 2 (18-3- Help a child with f your "Locks of Love Tenacious teen is a living lesson in determination By Therena Morrill When old Jedadiah Curry sets his mind todo something, lie does it inspite of what might get in his way. He has spent thousands of hours accomplishing a goal he set for himself at age eight.. .to earn every me ritbadge the Boy Scouts of America offers. Jed completed the requirements for his 123rd merit badge last week. Ironically that last merit badge was the first one he started, more than five years ago. From the very first merit badge he completed, which was Family Life, to the very last one. Radio, Jed has kept pluggingaway, adding the badges one by one to his merit badge sash. Ive literally spent thousands of hours doing this, Jed said. The Boy Scouts ofAmerica's merit badge program provides a mechanism for young men ages 11 to 18 to learn about a varie ty of topics, from Photography to Genealogy, from Sail Boating to Bugling. Jeds favorite merit badge was Water Skiing. His mother, Penny Curry, said he loved doing all of the merit badges that had anything to do with water. His least favorite was Citizenship In the World. To earn all 123 merit badges is a very rare accomplishment. Kay Godfrey, a longtime executive in the Great Salt Lake Council of the Boy Scout 8 of America, said that he has been involved inScoutingfor 25 years, and hasonly known of two other young men who have earned them all. For Jed, it isan even more amazing feat because he battles cystic fibrosis and diabetes. Jed has fought agui:ut theefTectsof cystic fibrosis since birth, but despite the cliallenges he faces, Jed has tried toliveanormal life. He keeps up with his schoolwork, even when he is unable to attend school, and he is involved in extracurricular activities. 16-ye- ar -- To earn all 123 merit badges is a very rare accomplishment ... for Jed, it is an even more tant senior patrol leader, and BSA lifeguard, among others. He was recently elected into the Order of the Arrow, anhonor bestowed uniii only a few Boy Scout through a nominating process. Jeds perseverance has served him well in everything he has set out to do. He has served in several leadership positions within the Boy Scouts of America den chief, quarter master, bugler, vanity team captain, assis- - amazing feat because he battles cystic fibrosis and diabetes. Next month you can see him play the role of Young Ebenezer Scrooge in Alternant High's production of Bah Humbug Jed aiao.jiaa a job after school and on Saturdays workingcon-atructio- n and farming jobs for his grandfather. For the past few sum-mer- e he worked as a lifeguard and swimming instructor at the Roosevelt Pool. This spring he plans to play baseball for his high school team. When school starts in the fall, he can be seenrunning cross country with other teammates. The three andahalf mile race is something he had to work up to. When I first started tryingto run, I could only run two laps ( a half mile), said Jed. When I got to where I could sprint that distance, I went to three tope, and I just kept going like that. Last year as a sophomore, Jed finished nineteenth in state competition. He had improved from his state rankingof49tt aa a freshman. Jed says this improvement is because of his parents, who helped him train. SETTING HISGOALSHIGH Jed Curry, an Altamont teen, has earned all 123 Boy Scout merit badges, a feat in and of itself. But is exceptionally remarkable in view of all the obstacles he overcame to accomplish that goal. ' V J Jed has gained local recognition and is often asked to teach classes at merit badge paw wows and speak at Cub Scout Blue and Gold banquets and church events. This month, one Cub Scout troop in Allamnnt is using the theme "Home Town Heros and Jed was chosen as one oft he heros to CL . . " 1S4 'ifr? j - lirs ... tJj hi ; r C7 1 v L A v. RY on page 22 ! |