This picture represents several things, including hope, frustration, patience, understanding, persistence, faith, gratitude and love. My sister Patti was physically healthy but learning disabled as a teen. She completed a special program at NYU and became certified as a Teacher's Aide in day care centers around Manhattan. She loved her work, loved caring for toddlers. They called her Miss Patti. She was very independent - commuted from New Jersey, lived on her own, paid her own bills. In 1989 she began falling, without warning. She lost her job, went from cane, leg braces, walker and by the mid-nineties was in a wheelchair, unable to walk, followed by loss of use of her hands, deterioration of her speech and swallowing. Patti was always a huge fan of Oprah and from early on in her degeneration, I tried bringing Patti to Oprah's attention. I called, sent letters, even sent a personal journal book manuscript that Patti had written when she still had use of her hands. All efforts were answered with a polite declination. I explained to Patti that Oprah is approached by thousands, if not millions of people. In 2004 I took Patti to Chicago from Miami and we attended Oprah's show, but no meeting happened. Then, in 2006, through Will Smith's office I sent my book Kindsight to Oprah's Chief of Staff, Libby Moore. Libby sent me a note of thanks, and then nothing. Six months later, on a quiet Sunday, my cell phone rang. "Hi Robert, it's Libby Moore, Oprah's Chief of Staff. I've been so busy but I finally picked up your book and have been crying for the past two hours. I love it. I want you to bring Patti and your Mom to Chicago to meet Ms. Winfrey." It took fifteen years, but it was well worth the wait. Oprah made an impression on us that will last our lifetimes. She was gracious, attentive, caring, completely present and real. The smile on Patti's face says it all.
robert@robertzuckerman.com
www.robertzuckerman.com