Tricia's Accident Recovery Fund

Tricia Lovejoy is a beloved ballet teacher in our community. Soon to be 67, she teaches with passion and expertise gleaned from training and a career crossing New Orleans, Washington, DC, Hartford, Tulsa, Austin, Guatemala, and Soviet Russia.

 

As a CASA volunteer (Court Appointed Special Advocate for neglected and abused children in the foster care system), she was leaving her house on New Year's Eve morning to pick up a child for his therapy and lunch. Before taking the first of her icy porch steps, she was airborne. With one leg straight out in front and the other bent underneath, she landed and slid down the steps with coffee and keys flying.

 

Having osteoporosis and scoliosis, Tricia felt immediately grateful that she hadn't broken a hip. But surgery to put a plate and 6 screws in her ankle, plus 3 weeks without work because of the holidays, coupled with 2 more weeks laid up post-op without a paycheck has left her with mounting debt. As soon as she's put in a boot, she intends to get back on the horse and pick up her teaching schedule again.

 

Tricia, always one to see the silver lining, said she was so fortunate to have, the day before, cleaned her house and gone grocery shopping. Her two beautiful daughters, Pearl and Rose, come to help her bathe and to bring up her meals. Her ex-husband, John, who is also her best friend, is always available, from shoveling snow to delivering a walker so Tricia can hop to the bathroom.

 

She is so grateful for her friends and students, who return the love she so generously puts out.