ST. LEO HOMECOMING
September 6, 2008
(Music, click here)
Special Honoree
THERESE DIGNAM GARVIN
ST. LEO SPIRIT AT ITS BEST
Therese Dignam Garvin is a 1984 graduate of St. Leo School and was also President of her 8th grade class. Pete, her husband, is a Lieutenant with the Philadelphia Fire Department and also has St. Leo roots. Her children, Heather, Scott and Jacqueline, represent the 3rd generation of Dignams to attend St. Leo School. Therese’s parents, John and Therese Dignam, were also graduates of St. Leo and very active members of St. Leo Community. They passed that devotion down to Therese.
Therese served in the Pastoral Council for 8 years and also ran the Liturgy of the Word for children. She was a Eucharistic Minister for 4 years and launched the “All Year Reunion” in an effort to save the school.
Therese worked in the cardiac unit of Albert Einstein Hospital in Philadelphia until having children. After the birth of Jacqueline, Therese began to notice some physical changes.
The weakness and numbness in her legs caused her to fall. She had no feeling in her hands. After going through a series of tests, Therese was first diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, although no one could substantiate it.
Paralysis on the right side of her body set in and a stroke went undetected. Therese was then put on Prozac and sent to a psychiatrist.
Finally someone recommended a neurologist at Hahnemann Hospital and after waiting several months for an appointment, she was then scheduled for a muscle biopsy. Seven weeks later, the diagnosis of Mitochondrial Disease was given. The disease causes the most damage to cells of the brain, heart, liver, skeletal muscles, kidney and the endocrine and respiratory systems. It is a rare, debilitating disease with no cure.
So, on May 22, 2001 Therese began her fight. With treatment, Therese began walking without her walker and wheelchair.
Therese credits her husband and children for giving her the strong support system she needs. Pete took on a second job and the children, having to become more independent, took on the new challenges life was throwing their way. To hear her children speak shows the deep love, respect and admiration they have for their mother. She truly is a remarkable woman.
Therese began to seek additional support and contacted the Delaware Valley Chapter of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and attended one of their walk fundraisers. Meeting others with the disease and becoming involved with the Chapter helped Therese to develop a positive outlook and gave her hope for the future. Like everything else in Therese’s life, she decided to join this cause and was elected chapter president in 2007. She is currently lobbying politicians to have insurance companies cover vitamins for those afflicted with the disease. Despite her lack of energy and the fact the disease leaves her immobile at any given time, she is still in great spirits and continues to fight on.
Therese admits it has not been an easy journey, but it is her journey to accept. She believes we are all given crosses to bear in life and it is how we go about carrying those crosses that make us better people.
After hearing Therese’s story, I believe she was always a good person who became a better person over the years and is now on that rare list of special people who have made it to the “best person” category.
Therese is an inspiration to all of us in the St. Leo Community. We feel by honoring Therese Dignam Garvin, we will be honoring the true spirit of St. Leo.
If you would like to support Therese in her fight, donations can be made in her name at: www.umdf.org/theresegarvin.
Here is the Link to the Mito Foundation, Philadelphia Chapter;
http://www.umdf.org/site/c.dnJEKLNqFoG/b.3224133/k.D6F5/fontfont.htm
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