Luminous and Kind

I met Stacy in grammar school, where she recruited me and others to be in talent shows, whether in school or just for the entertainment of friends and parents. It was always a joyous occasion, filled with fun and laughter. Stacy, with her boundless creativity, was always choreographing us, choosing the music, and planning our costumes. Our biggest hit was our re-creation of Second Hand Rose, a song by the fabulous Barbra Streisand herself. Our second most significant hit included glow-in-dark gloves, shoes, hats, and batons, which she recruited my mother to help paint. Stacy made it happen midway through the school talent show that during our song and dance, the lights would go out, and our hands, feet, hats, and batons would glow green, and they did. We were a hit! She was most definitely a creative force, bringing joy and entertainment to all of us.

She even wrote her own obituary...

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/chicagotribune/name/stacy-oliver-obituary?id=2839006

Her Journey

Stacy's journey is a testament to her incredible strength and resilience. She earned her journalism degree at Northwestern University and worked for 21 years as the assistant director of the school's Center for the Writing Arts. Not only that, she also sang in clubs and cabarets, performed improv comedy, and was a writer in her own right. She even created a superhero about her disease, showcasing her indomitable spirit.

Stacy was diagnosed with a rare and devastating condition called, multiple system atrophy, cerebellar type. What this means is her brain was clear as a bell but your body trapped her inside and she could no longer control her body. This progressive neurodegenerative disorder, as Jeff Oliver, her husband, described, 'takes away everything'. The rarity of this disorder, he likened to 'winning the lottery kind of in reverse '. Jeff, an incredible husband, went to nursing school so he could learn to care for her, a testament to his unwavering love and support.

Our message in photos

After Stacy was diagnosed, she and Jeff graciously opened their home when I came up with the idea to document a day in her life dealing with her disease. She truly loved the idea, as she was also working on an idea to create a superhero that combats her disease. She also knew how much I loved doing this genre of photography and would have said yes just to make me happy.

I also came across a photo contest that would be a terrific platform to raise awareness if we were to win. Documenting a day in her life of treatments for a disease for which there was no cure? She loved the idea it could win and ultimately decided it was going to. Of course, she did. I entered it into a contest, hoping to shed some light on her condition, but we did not win. We were up against some pretty amazing images, and even though it was disappointing, we did receive two emails from the judges saying what beautiful work it was in showcasing my incredible friend and her journey. A month later, one of the judges encouraged me to re-enter my story in several other contests. Unfortunately, it fell short for me when she passed away soon after. We always think we have more time regardless of the situation. I thought the same with my mother, brother, and father all gone now.

Who rescued whom?

Stacy and Jeff were avid believers in the rights of Pitt Bulls and their need to be rescued, they had three of their own. Her first, Lulu, was attached to her like no other after Stacy became ill. She even insisted on keeping an eye out for Stacy in every room she moved. Stacy would always ask who rescued who. I completely get that as I also had a rescue that completed me during some tough times.