If you have been in the ALS community for long you’ve probably heard of Sandy Morris, the woman who challenged the system and left ALSLand a better place than she found it. Sandy had a way of inspiring and motivating us all into action with a single word or “Sandyism.” She was a relentless warrior in a battle that provided no weapons or armor. Her fight will help people impacted by this disease for years to come.
As a tribute to Sandy, we’ve sprinkled little bits of her throughout this year’s calendar. Her message of celebrating every day and fighting through hopelessness are weaved into the images of this calendar.
The waffle image was created as an homage to one of Sandy‘s social media posts, made just days before she left for her next assignment. In that post she reminds us to love our tribe, something she did very well. Of course, her simple letterboard message was flanked by piles of delicious waffles and all of the fixings. If you were in Sandy’s world, she would find a way to let you know you were loved and cherished. If you were one of the lucky ones to feel her sunshine, you wore it like a badge of honor. To be loved and adored by Sandy was a true gift.
Sandy often quoted The Stonecutters Credo. It resonated with her and helped keep her focused on the impossible work we had in front of us. Sandy knew that she was not fighting to save her own life, but that she could help to save the lives of thousands of people that would be impacted by this horrible disease in the future. She knew that one day we would hit that rock and break it wide open. I hope that when that day comes we all stop and remember Sandy, who tirelessly hammered away at the stone knowing that one day we could find that break we needed.
The Stonecutters Credo
By: Jacob Riis
When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing. Yet the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it-but all that had gone before.
Sandy had a way of coming up with exactly the right words to inspire action. She empowered advocates to be brave, stand up for what is right, and never settle for less. When she spoke, people stopped and paid attention. Turning the heartbreak of her ALS diagnosis into action changed the world for people living with ALS.
ALS tried to steal her voice, but I would argue that it was never stronger.
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