Sheffield- Where everyone knows your name.

Small town mentality or reality?  

For me it was reality. Raising kids while living in a small town is an awesome experience. 

I gave birth to my daughter, Meghann on June 27, 1987.  She was diagnosed

with cerebral palsy shortly after birth. We lived in Sheffield Illinois where I owned

and operated a small salon in my home. This provided me with the opportunity to

raise Meghann while working. One of the perks of working from home

was the time Meghann had to enjoy being part of the community such as participating

in the Sheffield Homecoming parade.

Cute uh? Yes, we won!! 

Ben Tuttle as Batman and Meghann as Catwoman. Nena Donna following behind.

Meghann and I were lucky to be able to live in the small community

where she was loved and accepted regardless of her special needs.

If I had to guess, Meghann's diagnosis probably taught not only me but a

few people in our lives a little about patience, acceptance, and unconditional

love.

Sheffield is a small rural town of under 900 people where they park in the

middle of the road on main street still to this day.

In the early 50's  the movie theater closed and it was turned into a grocery store.

I heard from a reliable source that the theater usher lost his job but became the

butcher in the new grocery store. I am not sure if I believe this or not. 

(I am sure a few life long residents of Sheffield could confirm this fact)

During this time, you could buy groceries then walk upstairs to visit

the balcony filled with televisions, stereos, and VCR'S to purchase. Then you

could buy groceries and sign receipt with a verbal promise to pay it. 

Today, you can walk across the street and buy your household large appliances. 

One of my fondest memories of living in Sheffield is the local bar, Burrhead.

Later it was renamed R&J's by Burr's sons.  This bar was a place where the

old timers met for coffee, and maybe with a little extra kick in it.  It was our

own little Cheers. This bar was where the underage couldn’t wait to turn 21 

to share a frosty mug of beer with the owner, Betty. And maybe even claim

a ceiling tile with their name on it some day.

The Veteran Park

Sheffield has done a beautiful job maintaining the Veteran Park. The new equipment,

restrooms, sidewalks, basketball hoop, and a splash pad are enough of a reason

to spend all day visiting this park. Not to mention the tennis court. I spent many days

and nights playing tennis with my sister, cousins, and friends when I was young.

In this small town, I was blessed enough to have my mom, grandma, and many

aunts, uncles, cousins, and a lot of friends. Sometimes it takes years later to

realize how lucky I was to have all of these people around when I was raising

Meghann. 

I discovered first hand what is was like to live in a small town when

I was going through difficult times. Sheffield isn’t just a small town.

It is a community. A community of caring people. 

Meghann had several hospital stays,and illnesses that resulted in strokes.

It was during this time that I found out what kind of town Sheffield was

to me. They were supportive, caring, helpful, loving, and concerned. Many

people in town flooded her with get well cards when she was hospitalized.

My salon clients never left when I had to take time off to care for Meghann. 

They were supportive and understanding.

The last celebration I spent with Meghann was in Sheffield. It was only fitting to

celebrate her 30th birthday in Sheffield.  It was huge!!! She had a beautiful party

with old and new friends showing up to celebrate. Meghann's favorite Aunt V drove

out with her kids. It was a memorable day filled with attention and gifts showered

on Meghann. She loved it!!!  It was the last time we would celebrate Meghann’s

birthday with her.  Meghann passed away on May 24th a month before

her 31st birthday. It has been three years since Meghann passed away. It still feels

unreal to me.

I will be forever grateful to all of our friends and family for making Meghann’s

last birthday a memorable one. The pictures of that day have carried me through

some difficult days.

I am very proud to have not only grown up in Sheffield but to raise Meghann

there as well. Below is another reason to be proud of Sheffield. A new

wheelchair swing has been installed at the Sheffield park. It may be too late

for Meghann to enjoy this new swing. But the new wheelchair swing will be

there for all the kids now and in the future who are wheelchair users to have

fun in the Sheffield park. 

A special thank you to, Connie Hahne for including me in the plans of

the new swing. It was an honor to be asked for my opinion and to use

my experience to help Sheffield become accessible to all children.

Meghann’s chair may be empty. Her medals may hang without

her but she will never be forgotten.

A new brick on the wall at the Sheffield park. Meghann will always

have a presence in Sheffield. 

Thank you to everyone who was and is in Meghann’s circle of love. And thank

you to the residents of Sheffield for always being there for Meghann and me.

Sheffield will always be home to us.

Please think about Meghann when you hear or see someone being mistreated

in any way. The country has  made huge strides in disability rights. Lets keep going

to make sure people with disabilities continue to have rights like everyone else to

live productive and happy lives.

Thank you !!!

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law in 1990. The ADA is a civil rights

law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life,

including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the

general public.

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