Class notes
Karen Schaus Neal ’77 Maureen Saunders Atkinson ’80 Nola Weingard Lyons ’80 Janet Jelleson Kuhn ’84 Linda Lindberg ’86 Christopher Cuzzola ’88 Lynda Kelley ’90 Yvonne Galli Trettel ’92 Andrew Antolik ’95 Cynthia Aldrich Lechefsky ’00 Melissa Eiring ’07 Sandra McClane Orton ’07 Destiny Thornton ’07
Wheelchair adventures Young friend inspires alum’s book
A gift Brittany Parker Adkins ’07 created for one special little boy is having a bigger impact than she ever expected. In a matter of minutes last January, the world turned upside down for Brittany’s good friends, Jennifer and Eric Nachreiner. Their healthy 2-year-old son, Nolan, was suddenly unable to move. Soon diagnosed with transverse myelitis, an infammation of the spinal cord, he’s been paralyzed from the neck down since that day. His prognosis is uncertain, but he’s undergoing intensive rehabilitation to regain some mobility. Brittany says, “Jennifer and Eric were thrown by his physical limitations, of course, but even more they saw Nolan’s vibrant personality change. He was very full of life and adventurous before the illness. They were afraid they weren’t going to get their son back.” Brittany saw an opportunity to help. As a school psychologist, she helps children process the world around them every day and she decided it would help to write stories for Nolan, with himself in the starring role. What started as a private gift was published in October as a children’s book that can help any child facing life with
’s available limited mobility. It through amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com , and all proceeds are being devoted to spinal cord injury research. "Look What We Can Do!" is a lighthearted tale about Nolan, a little boy, and Teddy, his best friend, as they cruise around on Nolan's new power wheelchair. The two adventurers fnd joy and humor in the world around them, despite the obstacles they face. “I tried to emphasize all he can experience through his senses, how he can see and hear and feel love,” Brittany says. Few resources exist for young children with paralysis. “I’m hoping this can be a small but meaningful contribution to those who need it,” Brittany says. She thanks Kristen Bell (art director), Jordan Wiltanger (illustrator) and Shannon Vernier (publishing specialist) for helping create the book. Brittany lives in Saegertown, Pennsylvania, with her husband Mill and their two sons, 4-year-old Parker and 2-year-old Millington Adkins V (called MAV). She earned a master’s degree from Duquesne University and is a school psychologist with the Penncrest School District.
Sharon Guthrie ’08 Aaron Manzer ’10 Briana Talty ’14 Grady Zimmer ’16
Husband of: Patricia Jack Fessler ’50 (Robert Fessler) Joyce White Caruso ’62 (Hank Caruso) Patricia Richards Ogilvie ’62 (William Ogilvie)
Mary Lee Stadter Rinderle ’62 (Deacon Edward Rinderle) Maryce Jaeger Cunningham ’65 (James Cunningham) Patricia Lewandwoski Shookster ’90 ( John Shookster) Michele McNif Diele ’96 ( Bill Diele)
Father of: Louise Herbst Rosenfeld ’75 (John Herbst Jr.) Beth Koskoski ’98 (Russell Nagel)
Mother of: Cathryn Bern-Smith ’77 ( Betsy Bern) Lynn Falbo Graham ’01 (Susan Falbo) Kayla Larson ’16 (Maryann Larson)
Sister of: Deborah Duda Gale ’77 and Cheryl Duda Donze ’80 ( Katharine Duda Newman ’71) Friends of the University: Ann Cuzzola Peter Musacchio , instructional designer at the Ridge College Richard Ragan , former professor of mass media and communications Rev. Eldon Somers , retired academic counselor
To follow the story of Nolan and his family – including baby brother Henry, who was born just before Nolan came home from the hospital – visit facebook.com/getwellnolan .
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