| “BETTER DAYS ARE COMING” AWARD GIVEN TO LINDA STEARNS |
| 01-29-06 |
 The South Cook MS Self-Help Group awarded the Better Days Are Coming trophy to group member, Linda Stearns. This award given for the very first time was presented at the group’s Annual Holiday Party in December 2005. The award represents the tenacious spirit of people with MS to overcome the many challenges of MS, to support the search for a cure for MS, and to be a vital and contributing member of one’s community.
Linda Stearns is a model for all future recipients of this award. Linda is the founder of the Better Days Are Coming Committee, a committee designed to lift the spirits of people with MS who are facing difficult times. Linda has been a member of the South Cook MS Self-Help Group for 22 years and has sent flowers, get-well cards, and made visits and phone calls to countless numbers of people with MS.
In 1984, Linda was diagnosed with MS. She then joined the South Cook MS Self-Help Group in Orland Park. Linda gives the group credit for helping her cope with her diagnosis of MS and the task of going about living her life. Linda is a person of incredible talents and interests plus a wonderful cheerful personality. She was not going to let multiple sclerosis hold her back.
A 36-year resident of Oak Lawn, Linda was well know in her local community for her many good works and philanthropic projects. Unfortunately, Linda had to leave her career at AT&T as a phone customer service representative due to her MS. However, when one door closed, another opened for Linda. She continued her life-long passion of love of flowers. One of Linda’s many talents is floral arranging, a skill she learned as a teenager working in a local floral shop. Flowers from Linda are always delivered with a smile to friends, family, group members, nursing homes, hospitals and anywhere there is a person in need of some happiness. Those without family or friends are always on the top of Linda’s list for her special brand of kindness. Linda is allowed to go inside institutions where no one else goes to deliver her beautiful flowers. Linda is known as the flower lady with a smile.
Linda is a member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, Oak Lawn, IL, and is a person of strong faith. Linda has served on the Board of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, as well as several committees. The faith group, Job’s Daughters had a major influence on Linda’s life. While strengthening her faith, Job’s Daughters also affected Linda’s social life. At a Job’s Daughters’ convention in 1965, she by chance met Sonny and Cher, before they became big name entertainers. This led to Linda becoming president of the Sonny & Cher Fan Club. It also led to Linda becoming a fan club leader for Three Dog Night in 1968 and The Beach Boys in 1975, as well as long-standing friendships with these celebrities.
Another talent of Linda’s is her way with children. Since her early years, Linda has always been fascinated with multiple births. Well known in the community as a babysitter extraordinary. Linda has babysat for two sets of quadruplets. Linda has a long-standing relationship with the Hawley quads who Linda babysat from infancy. The Hawley quads are now 12 years old, and Linda is a treasured “grandmother” to the quads. Linda has two children of her own, a daughter, Gail, who is just starting her career teaching elementary school in Blue island, IL, and a son, Charlie.
How Linda met her adopted son, Charlie, is truly an amazing story. Again through her involvement with Job’s Daughters as a teenager, Linda was encouraged to volunteer at La Rabida Hospital in Chicago. There was a special section at La Rabida for handicapped children who had no family or anyone to care for them and did not even have visitors. Linda was drawn to a baby boy who had spinal bifida and severe disability. Linda adopted Charlie, and Charlie, now in his 40’s, presently resides with Linda’s in her home in Oak Lawn.
Because of her tireless commitment to others and her community, Linda has received several awards. To name a few, the Association of Handicapped Children’s award, President George Bush, Sr. Points of Light award, and Cook County Commissioner John Stroeger’s Unsung Heroes award. In addition, Linda has served on numerous community boards and committees at her church, PTA and local hospitals and institutions.
Linda truly reflects the spirit and triumph over MS exhibited by her personal integrity, her hard work, and her selfless acts to benefit others and, therefore, the South Cook MS Self-Help Group proudly presents its first-ever “Better Days Are Coming” Award to our own, beloved Linda Stearns. |
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