Event raises money for injured alum

(From left to right) Bridget Fry, Keisha Whistler, Alumnae, Sharon Back and Alyssa Amaral, University employees, attended the Fish Fry Fundraiser at Glenwood Church of Christ on Nov. 10 to benefit Whistler. Photo by Cheryl Martin.

A fish fry conducted at Glenwood Church of Christ on Nov. 10 benefited an alumna paralyzed from a July accident.
Keisha Whistler fell backwards six feet after a chair buckled out from under her, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down and unable to teach.

"The (fish fry) money is going towards my family to help pay the medical bills until I go back to teaching," Whistler said.
The most difficult hardship to overcome from her injuries is "starting from scratch again. There's so much in one step. We take so much for granted," she said.

The fish fry organized by a group of parents from Jack Elementary School, met Whistler when she began teaching there in the spring.
"We wanted to do something for a wonderful teacher," parent Bridget Fry said. "We have been very blessed and wanted to return the favor. We wanted to give back to someone who has done so much for our children," Fry said.

Since the accident, Whistler gained back the ability to walk.
"Prayers have been the reason why the healing is taking place," she said. "This (recovery) has happened in very few cases. I am very blessed."
All benefits from the fish fry go to Whistler, her husband and two boys, ages 11 and 4.

More than 350 people attended the event, with 520 tickets sold raising a total of $9,029. "All the success and all the praise be to God," Fry said. "Progress has been amazing. It's been wonderful."