Community Corner

Feeling a Bit Down? Seven Things to Help Inspire You

Yes, everyday life can be a challenge. Need some inspiration from those who "climbed a mountain?"

Is daily life really so tough?

Well, yes, it can be.

Here, though, is to keeping things in perspective. For more than a month now, Patch and Grape-Nuts have teamed up to present stories about your neighbors - neighbors who have faced challenges that would seem insurmountable to many of us. 

Find out what's happening in Johnstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But not to the people we've featured in this series, Journeys.

Not surprisingly, the stories have generated dozens of comments on Patch and on Facebook: "Great story..." "Thanks for sharing..." "So wonderfully inspiring..." 

Find out what's happening in Johnstonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

And, so, here they are again. Great stories shared to inspire. Take a look at what these people have faced. Then click on the story to see their responses. And, feel better about things.

Sisters Cassandra and Christiana Layman had an idea. Avid soccer players, they would watch as their old uniforms piled up season after season, year after year as they get new gear. So they decided to begin donating the uniforms to children in need in an initiative called SoccerRECYCLE.

Now they want the project to spread.

___

Fearless Advocate Named to Special Olympics RI Hall of Fame

This is personal: I love Lisa McKay. When you have a child with special needs and you find someone who can bring out more from your child than you ever imagined possible, what is there to do but love that person?

Lisa is a whirl of unparalleled energy and enthusiasm. She manages to convince you that your nonverbal, barely walking child can play soccer and actually enjoy it. While that promise may take years to fulfill, Lisa will help you see that your child is making progress, however incremental.

Lisa McKay — head of North Kingstown Special Olympics and the adaptive phys. ed. teacher for East Greenwich —  is, truly, a miracle worker.

___

Ironman 'Was a Mission' For Johnston Soldier

There are a few things you learn about Terry Rajsombath within a few minutes of meeting him: He's a dedicated soldier; he sets ambitious goals for himself; and he doesn't let anything stop him.

Rajsombath is also mature — and humble — beyond his years.

After graduating from Johnston High School in 2004 with plans to go into the Marine Corps — only to set that goal aside after speaking to someone who'd been drummed out over health conditions — Rajsombath secured an Automotive degree from New England Tech and took at job at Pep Boys.

But he never gave up his main objective of getting into the military — and, upon hearing about the Army National Guard, he saw his chance.

___

Cleanup Organizer Sees a Future of Smaller Footprints

Pat Conaway is "kind of a nut" about the environment, and when he retired from teaching in 2008, it didn't take long for him to find a number of productive ways to spend his time. He now sees hope in the young people who help him clean trails, waterways and roadways.

"I wanted to get people fired up about the environment, to try to encourage citizens to get involved locally," he said.

___

It's not every day that a person gets to experience both sides of being an organ donor. 

But that's exactly what happened to Jane Tecce. After her son's death at the age of 24, his organs were donated. And now, Tecce is recovering from a heart transplant she received nearly two years ago, when she also received a kidney transplant. 

"My kids are starting to have kids now," Tecce said. "I'm being a grammy. I can't imagine not being here."

Tell Us: What’s the Biggest Challenge You’ve Ever Faced?

But what about your biggest challenges? 

In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic scaling of Mount Everest, Patch wants to know from readers across the country: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve ever had to overcome? 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here