“We met on the internet. I was on AOL Instant Messenger, and he popped in one day. He said, ‘What’s up with your last name?’ At that time, my screen name was Jenny Willis. And he said, ‘Willis is my first name.’ I thought, no … Continue readingMeeting on the internet leads to love, then marriage
“I had twin older brothers. They were mirror twins. One was right-handed and the other was left-handed. Throughout their lives, whatever happened to one always seemed to happen to the other. Every time Victor would break a bone or something, Vernis would, too. There were … Continue readingLifetime pattern finally takes mirror twins’ lives
“I don’t deal. I don’t steal. I don’t squeal. That’s a little creed I try to live by. You’ve got to believe in something. “I know a lot of people who boost from stores, and I used to do that myself. I guess I learned … Continue readingHis creed: ‘I dont deal. I don’t steal. I don’t squeal.’
“I was tiny as a kid, and I was athletic growing up. I did not have the problems that obese children have. But when I quit being physically active, I started gaining weight. Then I went into a depression after my mother died of cancer, … Continue reading‘Tough old bird’ survivor of rare carcinoid cancer
When her mother tried to register Saundra Smith for school in Port Arthur, Texas, she got a surprising response. “They said they didn’t have a nursery school, and that she should bring me back next year for kindergarten,” Saundra said. Old enough to be a … Continue readingShe deals with the weighty issues of carcinoid cancer
“She came three weeks early, so we weren’t really prepared. By the time we showed up at the hospital, I was too far along to get an epidural or anything. “When the head delivered, the doctor saw that the cord was wrapped around her neck. … Continue readingSupporting disabled daughter comes with challenges
“I retired when I was 61 because I kept passing out and nobody could figure out why. I did a pulmonary test recently and passed out. I’m still going to see doctors all the time. “Right now I’m dealing with COPD. I struggle to get … Continue readingMan with health issues thankful for Obamacare
Jenny Willis-Davis was working in downtown Houston last October when her husband contacted her. “He got a phone call from school. They told him, ‘You need to come get your son immediately or we’re calling the ambulance,’” she said. Not something that any parents want … Continue readingThis parent an advocate for young athletes’ health
Sometimes, one incident can change your path in life. For Derek Coy, it was the death of a close friend to gun violence in 2004. “He was everybody’s best friend. It was one of the hardest things I have been through, mostly because it was … Continue readingMaking a difference for veterans with health issues
It’s not always easy. But as the mom in a family of six, Amanda Vela tries her best to spread the love around. “One of my biggest challenges is time,” she said. “With multiple children at different ages, it’s hard to find the time for … Continue readingDaughter with cerebral palsy inspires mom