[Ohio-Talk] The Pink Ribbons, Part 2

[Maggie Stringer]

Haunted houses, pumpkin carvings, scary costumes, and sweet treats may
be what’s on your mind for this weekend. For women like Hellen,
Cassandra, and Ellie, it’s a different kind of focus. It’s the reality
that the attention drawn to breast cancer awareness comes to an end.
And tends to be forgotten until the clock ticks a new October.

I have thoroughly enjoyed interacting with these three ladies as they
have so kindly, shared their personal experiences with me. Since the
Community Service committee throws down a groovy happy hour party, I
thought it would be fitting to know their go to song. The one song
that keeps their spirits warm on a lonely night or a special tune that
raises them up when the going gets tough.

Lyrics from “Fight Like A Girl”:
“So, hold your head high
Don't ever let them define
The light in your eyes
Love yourself, give 'em hell
You can take on this world
You just stand and be strong
And then fight like a girl.”

Lyrics from “I Am Not My Hair”:
“I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am not your expectations, no
I am not my hair
I am not this skin
I am a soul that lives within.”

Lyrics from “I’m Gonna Love You Through It”:
“When you're weak, I'll be strong
When you let go, I'll hold on
When you need to cry, I swear that I'll be there to dry your eyes
When you feel lost and scared to death
Like you can't take one more step
Just take my hand, together we can do it
I'm gonna love you through it.”

Ladies, what do you want, the world to know?

Hannah: “I’ve been blind my whole life. I’m used to advocating for
myself. I think it helped me to not be terribly scared with my
diagnosis. I was well acquainted on facing challenges. The best advice
I’ve ever heard, “don’t be afraid to know your breasts.” I’ve been
echoing those words for fourteen years now. It was the beginning to
saving my life.”

Cassandra: “I thought losing my vision was the hardest thing I would
ever have to deal with. Then, the doctor’s told me they were going to
have to remove both breasts as soon as possible or my little girl was
going to grow up without a Mom. She is my world and I thank God my
family talked me into getting a mammogram as part of my annual
checkup. They were not fun, let me tell you, but I get to have another
day, another memory with my daughter because I decided it was time to
start taking care of myself.”

Ellie: “You never think it’s going to happen to you. That’s always
someone else’s life, right? Wrong! Glaucoma is the only hereditary
disease that runs in my family, not cancer. Make those annual
appointments. Do the self-examinations. Most importantly, know your
body! Breast cancer can happen to anyone.”

The Community Service Committee