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Corynna
gets proclamation designating awareness day
By
Bob Robinson
GREENVILLE
– Her room had an Indian pattern theme. Behind her was a pink dress
on a manikin. Next to it was a Christmas tree. Corynna’s mom,
Kristy Strawser said they were moving Christmas up this year… two
days after Thanksgiving.
“I
always wanted to go to India,” said Corynna, acknowledging the
Indian theme in her room. “I really wanted to incorporate those
patterns.”
The
pink dress?
“I’m
a make-up artist,” she said. “We were going to a photo shoot. I
was going to wear the dress… but I couldn’t do it. I got sick.”
She
was broken-hearted, Kristy said. They gave her the dress. Corynna
said she can still fit into it.
“People
ask me how we got Corynna’s name,” Kristy said at one point,
adding that sometimes she does ‘fun Corynna facts’ on Facebook…
“It was the only name my husband and I could agree on. Even members
of our own family didn’t know that.”
Such
is the life, dreams and challenges of one Darke County teenager and
her family. Corynna had a half dozen blue rubber bracelets on one
arm, each saying “Courage For Corynna.” Kristy removed them and
handed them to the visitors.
A
Proclamation from the Darke County Commissioners was presented to
Corynna at 1 p.m. Nov. 20. All three commissioners, Mike Stegall,
Diane Delaplane and Mike Rhoades were on hand. When the visitors
first started arriving, Corynna was using her oxygen mask and not yet
comfortable in removing it. Several minutes later, when comments
started about her hair, she removed the mask to show it off. She
appeared more comfortable.
“I
had lavender hair on the ends,” she said in her quiet voice. “You
know?” she added, “I want all my hair lavender.” She talked
about the number of times she had to dye it to get the color she
wanted.
It
worked. It was perfect for 16-year-old Corynna Strawser.
Corynna
suffers from mitochondrial disease and is seeking to raise awareness
of a disease no one knows about and for which there is no cure.
According
to the commissioners’ proclamation, the disease strips the body of
energy, depriving vital organ systems of the energy needed to
survive.
Since
getting the disease, Corynna has been actively trying to get the
community to become aware; she has attracted the attention of
thousands in and outside of Darke County.
“She
can’t get out to talk about this,” Kristy said. “The community
has been wonderful… they are doing it for her.”
“Courage
for Corynna” T-shirts are available at Cavalier Clothing. Proceed
go to research for mitochondrial disease.
“Many
members of the community have already resolved to join together on
Nov. 25 to show their support for the Strawser family and all others
suffering from mitochondrial disease…
“Therefore
be it resolved that the County of Darke hereby proclaims, declares
and resolves that November 25, 2013, be designated as Mitochondrial
Disease Awareness Day, and all residents of Darke County are invited
to participate in showing their support, in helping find a cure for
this disease.”
The
signed and framed proclamation was presented to Corynna by the Darke
County Commissioners.
Published
courtesy of The Early Bird
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