What Disability Taught Kate
I am so fortunate that my work allows me the opportunity to get to know some incredible people who are so passionate about their cause. Kate Lopez is definitely among them. She and I met when I coordinated the marketing/public relations for the 2015 Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival organized by LADD, Inc. and we are working together again on the 2017 Festival. Kate is such a joy to be around. On a big event, with so many missing pieces, it is great to be working with someone like her who takes initiative and does what it takes to get the job done and done well. And with a smile on her face! For this Festival, Kate is an instrumental member of our team and the amazing thing is she is doing it while living temporarily with her family in Nashville, Tennessee. She commutes back and forth frequently.
Something I didn’t realize until recently about Kate is that her passion for this work stems from her own disability. It was because of Krohn’s Disease that, at the age of 14, she underwent a 9 ½ hour surgery to remove her large intestine. It was the procedure that altered her life forever, not because of the loss of her organ, but because the over pressurization of her muscles from having her legs in one position for that long caused something called compartment syndrome. In other words, she lost most of the muscles in her lower legs.
For a teenage girl who was the star of her volleyball team, and an overall competitive athlete, that sudden change was not easy…even more so at such a sensitive period in a girl’s life.
“It was definitely identity changing but I had a supportive family and friends who gave me the power to turn my life into something,” she told me. “I wear braces most of the time but people don’t know I have a disability. I can’t run and be as active as I want to be but I try to do as much as I can.”
Below are Kate’s answers to my questions.
Lisa: Because of your early experience, you are now professionally helping others as you were helped.
Kate: I was a sophomore in high school when I began volunteering at the Drake Center, where I also participated in physical therapy. My parents didn’t think I would be able to drive again but I learned how to drive with hand controls at Drake Hospital. That combination of Drake’s impact on other people as well as my own life really is what influenced my career choice. I am a therapist now with a specialty in teaching people to drive with adaptations, if it is safe to drive. I want people to see that there is a way to live fully with a disability.
Lisa: What is a life lesson you learned from your surgery?
Kate: I learned life is more fragile than you think when you are a teenager but also that it isn’t just your body that can be strong. Your mind is what is stronger. It made me fierce in making me want to be independent and to make as much of a difference in the world as I can. I also learned that life doesn’t have to be what you expect. I keep learning that with each patient and each interaction.
It has made me more thankful for the people I have around me. I feel like I am not as alone as I may think because of my support system and that makes me want to be that support system for others. I don’t let anything hold me back – I travel extensively, I scuba dive and mountain climb. I do physical things, I just do them in an adaptive way now.
Lisa: How did you become involved with ReelAbilities?
Kate: I went to the first Cincinnati ReelAbilities Film Festival, then co-chaired the Veterans Committee of the 2015 Film Festival. The stories just meant so much to me. I don’t think I’d want to stray from them, as it is a connection with others who share my same passion. One of the best things that happened from my involvement was when I was talking to a friend who has a daughter with Spina Bifida. She shared how someone came up to her at ReelAbilities and said she doesn’t recognize anybody. That was the biggest compliment of the Festival because it demonstrated that we are reaching people who are not normally sought.
Lisa: You have define disability differently. Can you explain?
Kate: To me, I see a disability as something that would limit an aspect of life. An impairment, however, is something that is different and something is not working as well. Disability impacts your participating in life. Sometimes I am just in the impairment phase. One of the biggest things about wearing braces is finding shoes that I like but I’ve got it down to a science to find shoes I like and adapt them and make it work. I will not let the impairment get in the way.
Lisa: You have a seven year old son. What do you teach im about disabilities?
Kate: My son is around a lot of people with disabilities through my work, experience, and friends. I try to lead by example and don’t make difference as noticeable. He calls my braces my shoes. He just thinks some people have differences and others don’t. When it comes to kids struggling, I teach him to be more helpful and patient. When it comes to physical difference, I’m not sure he even notices. I just make it part of the package of the real world. We really are all the same on the inside and that is what matters most.
Absolutely, Kate, that IS what matters most!
Grace Shares Life Lessons
Today I have such great pleasure in sharing the story of a very dear person and friend. Grace DeGregorio has been editing Hyde Park Living for 20 years. And, for about 15 or 16 of those years I have been writing a pet behavior column for her. I love that my work brings such incredible people into my life. Grace is such a positive soul. She too loves what she does for the connections it has brought her and the personal stories she has been able to share. Now the tables are turned and I get to share Grace’s story. I so much appreciate her openness in talking about a part of her and her family that is deeply personal, and how that experience has touched and impacted her perspective on life and relationships.
Lisa: So many people (including me) know and admire you in Cincinnati. We’d love to learn more about you.
Grace: I was born and raised in Massachusetts. I earned my bachelor’s in psychology at Emmanuel College in Boston, a private liberal arts school, and my master’s in vocational rehabilitation counseling at Boston University. I worked several years at Harvard Medical School as an assistant to the registrar before my marriage to Edmonde DeGregorio, whom I met when he was a law student in Boston. He was from Cincinnati, where we moved after our wedding 39 years ago. I worked for 10 years as manager of a social service program, helping people with disabilities become employed. When our sons Anthony and Joe were born, I left to become a full-time mom. As they were starting school, I was given the opportunity to write for Community Publications, Inc., and soon after was named editor of Hyde Park Living – I’m still there 20 years later! Almost four years ago I also began a freelance position as publicity coordinator with Matinée Musicale, a nonprofit organization that hosts an annual recital series.
In my personal life, my main passion is doing things with my family. We have a timeshare condo on Longboat Key, Florida, where we visit twice a year. Edmonde is a model train enthusiast, and we go to his train club events and train shows. We shared numerous activities with our sons as they were growing up (more on that later!) In 2014, Joe brought his wonderful wife Kristina into our family, and on June 15, 2016 our joy was magnified when their daughter Giuliana Lynne arrived. I LOVE being a grandma!!! I also love reading (bios/autobios and history are my favorite topics), crafts (knitting/crocheting and cross-stitching), watching sports and traveling.
Lisa: As editor of Hyde Park Living, you have shared so much wonderful news and stories. What do you enjoy most about your job and have there been any stories that have really touched you?
Grace: I always loved to write and once considered studying journalism. So I guess it was meant to be! As my sons were young at the time, I was delighted to have a job that allowed me to work from home and make my own schedule, and I loved the creativity it afforded me. I still love those aspects of my job. But what I love even more is meeting interesting, accomplished people who constantly teach me. Their stories are memorable – and humbling: a teenager who convinced businesses to participate in a shoe drive for a charity; a family that discovered their dad was a war hero when asked to accept a posthumous award on his behalf; a person who survived multiple bouts with cancer while still managing a thriving small business; senior adults who meet weekly to sew quilts for hospitals; very busy professionals who volunteer many hours visiting schools to mentor and encourage students. These are just a few of countless stories we’ve told.
My favorite story? I got a call one day from a woman who started our conversation with, “I don’t know if this is a story, but…,” prompting me to pay close attention. She went on to tell me her inspiring personal odyssey discovering her heritage that took her several years and through several states, then all the way to Europe. Her story, which started with her being plagued with gross misinformation and so many questions and apprehensions, ended with great joy as new relationships began and she gained a clearer sense of who she was and where she came from. By far, this story received the most reaction from readers. Stories like this enrich all our lives, and I’m so blessed to be able to help share them.
Lisa: You so often talk about your family. Share some thoughts about them and their importance in your life.
Grace: In the 1980s Edmonde and I experienced three excruciating years of heartbreaking pregnancy losses: two miscarriages and a full-term baby delivered stillborn. We were told there was no connection between the losses and no medical reason pointing to why it was happening – the diagnosis was “bad luck.” We also were told in situations like ours it was regrettably common that couples move apart. But we remained totally solid in our commitment to each other and to becoming a family. We joined a peer support group, Reach Out to Grieving Parents, which helped us onto the path of healing. We applied for an adoption which, at the time, was a painstakingly slow process. I got pregnant again. On August 2, 1988 Anthony was born; Joe followed on April 12, 1990. We got a call from the adoption agency when it was time for our home study, and we let them know we had become parents. We became volunteers with Reach Out and continue 30 years later, doing all we can to help others onto their paths of healing.
We have never taken for granted our sons or our relationship with them. It was our greatest pleasure to devote ourselves to them as they were growing up. It annoyed us to hear other parents whine about getting no sleep at night because the baby cried – we remembered getting no sleep at night because of the silence after our baby died; or about having to drive the child to activities – we scheduled our lives around activities we once feared we’d never experience. And, boy, did we experience! As kids, our sons played sports and took piano lessons. I was active in their schools and Edmonde arranged frequently to be at school events most dads sadly missed. During their high school years, I was active in so many groups one day a teacher said to me, “Why don’t we set up a little room for you where you can take a nap while you’re here?!” We were in the stands for the boys’ football games; lugged heavy instruments when Anthony was in the band; froze at Joe’s hockey games and at the stadium in Canton when he was a wide receiver on the football team that won State in 2007; attended numerous parent meetings and events. In college years, we drove to Dayton for Anthony’s concerts (he majored in music) and for parties Joe and his friends threw during parent weekends (he majored in communication). Every minute we spent with or for them, and every memory we made, we treasure.
Our sons are now adults, and our relationships with them remain close, warm and honest. They both work hard at their jobs, have friends and personal interests. Joe is married and is a wonderful husband and dad. Anthony has dated a lovely young lady for two years. Edmonde and I are so proud of them and what they are accomplishing.
Lisa: What is one of your greatest life lessons?
Grace: When our babies died, we learned to put things in perspective. It’s so easy to get caught up with and react to everyday stresses that seem overwhelming. You don’t know what overwhelming is until you are faced with something you are helpless to change, something you never dreamed could happen and becomes your worst nightmare, something that saps every ounce of emotion out of you and leaves you feeling totally vulnerable. While we’re not perfect, we do find we are better able to weigh the relativity of life experiences – things that once might have bent us out of shape we find we can handle better. Also, because of our experience, we find we’re more compassionate and tolerant of others. You never know why someone is in a nasty mood – there may be something terrible they’re dealing with. It’s easier to make allowances and be forgiving.
Lisa: What is something that people may be surprised to learn about you?
Grace: I used to study Middle Eastern (translation: belly) dancing! I started with a friend in Boston and continued for a few years with my sister-in-law when I moved here. I now take Pilates, and my “muscle memory” from those dancing days has thankfully returned as Pilates requires a lot of core strength!
Lisa: What is something which you are looking forward to in 2017?
Grace: We are so excited to watch Giuliana grow. Our plans are for the whole family to go to our condo in Florida this summer, and we can’t wait to introduce her to the beautiful Gulf water and the beach, maybe take her on a boat ride and just show her off to our friends at our resort! Everything is new and exciting when you’re with a little one.
Saving King Records
I can’t think of a more relevant day to be thinking about a Cincinnati landmark and treasure where some of the greatest music originated, and where civil rights and inclusion was modeled at its best. I hate to admit, when I was first hired to work on the Hidden Treasures CD many years back, I was unfamiliar with King Records. I quickly came to learn, under the helm of founder Syd Nathan, King was the first record label to consciously mix black and white music. For the first time in music’s history, a recording company had the foresight to embrace inclusion, to unite talent diverse not only by race, but also by ethnicity and religion; to blend country with R&B, big beat with six-string twang. Inclusion, King Records proved, breeds success. It stimulates creative thought and new approaches to problem solving…it created King’s blueprint – the blueprint of rock ‘n roll. Eight King Records artists have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and more than 450 King tracks have been counted among Billboard’s Top 10 hits.
Today, that landmark is in real jeopardy of being demolished by its owner; however, because the site was declared a historic landmark in 2015, he needs permission from City Council. Mayor John Cranley wrote a beautifully detailed letter to City Council introducing a resolution allowing Cincinnati to acquire it.
In that letter, Mayor Cranley shared comments from Terry Stewart, president of the Roll and Roll Hall of Fame. Among them… “It bears repeating and underscoring… there’s not a more important piece of real estate in musical history than the building over there on Brewster. If you folks don’t remember and preserve it, shame on you. Remember it! It so important to American culture, world culture… what happened in that building.”
Also in his letter, Mayor Cranley wrote: “Since having the honor of serving as a Councilman, and especially since having the honor to become Mayor, I have been thrilled to see the increased excitement and community efforts around restoring the King Records legacy. The Cincinnati Public Library has led on amazing educational programming and events. 
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College has been teaching King Records history in partnership with the Rock Hall. Artworks put up a James Brown mural. The Cincinnati Playhouse, Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops have all put on King Records productions. We have finally seen books published on King Records like the ones by Jon Hartley Fox, Randy McNutt, and more. We even made the Sunday edition of The New York Times for placing a historic landmark plaque with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in front of the building we are looking to save today.”
This is especially significant to me as I got to know, appreciate and admire through Hidden Treasures, the treasure of King Record’s legacy. One piece of that legacy is my very dear friends, Philip Paul, who was a studio drummer for King from 1952 to 1965 and who was part of several hundred recordings and hits…including the original version of ‘The Twist’ recorded by Hank Ballard and The Midnighters. I will never tire of his stories and am so happy to see him, as well as other King artists, being recognized.
A rally to save the King Records building will be held Tuesday, January 17th at 1pm at City Hall. If you can be there, you can be an important voice. You can also email CityCouncil@Cincinnati.oh.gov.
Mayor Cranley’s letter to Cincinnati City Council Members
Dear Colleagues –
I write today to update you on my efforts to save the former King Records Studio site from demolition and ask that you too join in this cause. I will also refer three ordinances to Budget and Finance committee introduced by Council members Simpson and Young to honor legendary musicians Otis Williams, Philip Paul and Bootsy Collins by renaming various streets in the Evanston neighborhood.
In 2015, together we recognized and honored the unparalleled achievements of American civil rights, music, culture and business which happened at King Records Studio in 
Evanston when we designated the building a historic landmark. With our action, we declared the King Records building a place to be protected, preserved and restored.
I said then, and I will repeat now, that it is a sacred place. That sacred place is in real danger. The owner has scheduled a hearing for January 30th for a demolition permit again. We need to act to improve the negotiations to save the building. I am introducing this legislation so that we can revive the King Records legacy together.
As we have learned, popular and powerful music of all sorts came from that building, incubated by a world-class business model honed in civil rights. This music is music of the people – r&b, country, rock and roll, gospel, funk, bluegrass and jazz. It was produced by the first Cincinnati company to integrate its workforce at the executive level and integrate at its company picnics – in the 1940s! As we have learned from King Records musicians like Philip Paul, musicians played on a variety of genres and with others of different races and backgrounds. All of this happened under the leadership of Cincinnatian, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, buried at Judah Torah in Price Hill, Syd Nathan.
We can and should learn from what happened. It is real. It is authentic. It is part of our city’s DNA and we should embrace it. I am excited that we have a group of citizens, led by King Records artists, willing to step up to realize a vision to restore King Records on Brewster Avenue. Let’s help them make it happen.
Since having the honor of serving as a Councilman, and especially since having the honor to become Mayor, I have been thrilled to see the increased excitement and community efforts around restoring the King Records legacy. The Cincinnati Public Library has led on amazing educational programming and events. Cincinnati State Technical and Community College has been teaching King Records history in partnership with the Rock Hall. Artworks put up a James Brown mural. The Cincinnati Playhouse, Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops have all put on King Records productions. We have finally seen books published on King Records like the ones by Jon Hartley Fox, Randy McNutt, and more. We even made the Sunday edition of The New York Times for placing a historic landmark plaque with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in front of the building we are looking to save today.
During the landmark designation process, we heard from people across the globe in support of the homegrown efforts to revive King Records and stop the former studio building from being torn down. We heard from King Records alumni, the Evanston Community Council, nonprofits like the Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation, Bootsy Collins Foundation, King Studios, Cincinnati Preservation Association, Xavier University and Cincinnati State. We unanimously voted to support the unanimous votes of the historic conservation board and planning commission to protect the building.
The leadership of this Council and Administration to support so many of these efforts has been incredible. I would like to recognize Ms. Simpson for her King Records events and support of King artists. Her legislation to honor three King Records artists – Otis Williams, Philip Paul and Bootsy Collins – with street names is wonderful. I am thrilled to support making her legislation a reality. I also find it incredibly humbling for these three artists to ask us to pause on their recognition in order for us to focus us on the need to save the King building first, so that many more King employees can be honored.
On a personal note, I want to thank these artists for their inspiration and leadership. Even though I grew up in Cincinnati, I really didn’t know much about King Records until I met Bootsy and Patti Collins at City Hall in 2002. Soon after, with Vice Mayor Alicia Reece, we embarked upon an awareness campaign of King Records. I then met Philip Paul and Otis Williams. Over the years, I have had many honors with them. Whether it was to officiate Philip and Bobbie Paul’s wedding or to get to meet Paul McCartney, because The Beatle wanted to meet Otis and Phil. So, again, thank you Ms. Simpson on your leadership to name these streets after them. They most certainly deserve this for all the ways they honor us.
Let’s accept their request and take the necessary effort to save the building now, and when we do rename streets after them, let us credit these three King musicians and Cincinnati legends as the leaders in getting us to finally make it happen. Yes, we have done more for King Records than any other City Hall, but our work is not finished.
So let’s thank Otis, Philip, and Bootsy, for focusing us on the main request at-hand – acting to save the King Records building before the owner’s hearing to obtain a demolition permit on January 30th. Attached is legislation that enables us to authorize the City Administration to acquire the King Records building for a public purpose through eminent domain. We have a working group of citizens and nonprofits who for years have been refining a vision and plan to revive the King Records legacy in the original building if given the chance. Let’s give them that chance. Hopefully, the owner will change his mind and withdraw this newest demolition effort and also accept the city’s offer to purchase the building. With passage of this legislation we will have more opportunities to make a King Records on Brewster a reality again and take the next steps since our unanimous act last year.
Before I conclude, I think we should reflect on what the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame President Terry Stewart said to us when asked why the building, even if in poor condition and shell of what it once was, should be saved:
“Between 1943 and 1971 the address of 1540 Brewster Avenue in Cincinnati was home to some of the most vibrant and eclectic music making in America. There was never a more important piece of real estate musically or culturally in the history of popular music. King brought together a diverse range of American voices that reflect Cincinnati’s unique geographical position as a crossroads of American culture: rhythm and blues, country, bluegrass, rockabilly, pop and blues all poured out of King’s studios. King’s musical diversity was also reflected in its business practices – it was a fully ethnically and racially integrated operation. King was also unique because it was a self-contained record label. Every facet of record production happened at 1540 Brewster Avenue, from recording to pressing to packaging to shipping.”
Stewart elaborated at the CEAs, saying: “It bears repeating and underscoring… there’s not a more important piece of real estate in musical history than the building over there on Brewster. If you folks don’t remember and preserve it, shame on you. Remember it! It so important to American culture, world culture… what happened in that building.”
Let’s act again after listening to our local and global citizens who support us reviving King Records on Brewster. Let’s add the King Records building to our list of iconic arts institutions worth saving like we are doing together with Music Hall and the Museum Center. Let’s also celebrate that this amazing music and culture came from a place of civil rights. Let’s make sure all future generations of Cincinnatians will have an opportunity to participate in this great legacy of ours.
With the Evanston Community Council, Bootsy Collins Foundation, Cincinnati USA Music Heritage Foundation and King Studios groups as our partner, let us pass this legislation now before it is too late.
John
Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
Today we celebrate a man of courage, wisdom and vision. In his lifetime, Martin Luther King Jr. devoted himself to bringing people together in harmony. He was about giving people wings to soar above inequality and find their inner strength and passion. He was about giving people eyes to see beyond colors of skin and religion and recognize others for inner beauty. He was about giving people legs to stand up for equality for all. King’s indelible words and actions helped transform a nation. It is up to all of us to keep his legacy alive. It is within our power to create positive change in our homes, our neighborhoods, and our world.
Pet Wants Donates 4000 Pounds Of Food
“Giving is not just about donating. It is about making a difference.” – Kathy Calvin, CEO & President of United Nations Foundation
That is so true. My friends at Pet Wants, all natural pet food company, truly believe in giving back. I have seen them at adoption events giving food to people who found their forever pets. And I remember last fall when they held a food drive for the Stray Animal Adoption Program (SAAP). During their food drive, Pet Wants customers who purchased a pound of food for SAAP had their donation matched; and by the end, 2000 pounds was collected and an additional 2000 pounds was matched by Pet Wants. 4000 pounds of food can feed a lot of mouths!
Pet Wants was founded by Michele Hobbs and her wife Amanda Broughton out of a love and frustration when veterinarians were not able to relieve their dog’s painful skin allergies. The timing was right. In 2010, Michele’s job was eliminated and they were looking at creating something from a need they personally had. “We’d go to specialty pet food stores and saw food going from the floor to the ceiling,” Michele said. “I looked at Amanda and just said, ‘this is what we are going to do.’
I personally love Pet Wants food and use it a lot in training. Not only do dogs love it enough to use is as a valued reinforcer for behaviors, it is also natural, made with high quality ingredients and fresh. They also deliver to customer’s home.
Michele and Amanda are such generous people. I am so happy for their success. And I am not surprised at all by their donation to SAAP.
