Mailbag - March 2022

Karen Landrigan, here in her studio, fought back from the effects of a stroke.

Meaningful, powerful, readable

Cheryl [Ursin], you did a great job [Flying Colors: When an artist’s headache was a stroke, February 2022]! Thank you for helping raise awareness [about lesser-known signs of stroke].

I wanted to let you know that there are a lot of people reading that story. I’ve even had several people asking if this story would be on CBS and all kinds of large news organizations. You guys should be really proud.

I love that you added the section at the bottom [a list of books and films featuring stroke survivors]. You managed to write about a horrible depressing story, [turning it] into a strong message without disturbing the readers. Such a delicate balance. Bravo! Keep on writing the stories that are meaningful, powerful, and readable.

I put the link on my Facebook page – so many comments and many people shared it – my friends in Canada posted it, and then a young man who had a stroke wrote to me. There is an organization in the UK [that] saw it and have reached out to me. The Fibromuscular Dysplasia Association will post it soon (I have FMD and many people have strokes at a young age)….so many people. My friend in New Zealand will likely share as well. Yup – it is raising awareness for sure!

Karen Landrigan

Inspired by stroke survivor

Karen [Landrigan], I am overwhelmed after reading the piece [Flying Colors, by Cheryl Ursin]. What a remarkable woman you are. To have moved forward and onward in your life with such courage, stamina, and perseverance when you could have more easily chosen to give in and give up, well – and I'm certain you've heard this before, but I've great admiration for what you have accomplished. For others faced with challenges of this magnitude, your story is a path of illuminating light. Never stop encouraging others, as I am certain you continue to do.

Your story is beautifully told by staff writer Cheryl Ursin. My hope is that it will be picked up by a broadly syndicated journal or news publication. If not yet, I am certain and hopeful it will be. And your art, Karen, is as inspirational as you are. Both in the emotional stamina it must have taken, certainly at the onset, and your visual expression throughout its stages. Your use of color in your works reinforces that you chose to live a vibrant, abundant, and fulfilling life. Your story touched me deeply. Thank you.

Susan Elkins

Where’s the diversity?

Our son graduated from Bellaire High School, and I taught at BHS for 21 years. I often look for my students’ names in ads and articles.

February 2022 especially struck me – that although I did see a few Asians in advertisements, and two black people in an ad for Legacy Community Health, I found the magazine’s reporting of newly married and remarried couples to be oh-so-white! Were there no black people living in Bellaire who married or celebrated an anniversary?!

Jo Zider

Editor’s note: Thank you for your feedback. We agree it's important to be inclusive, and we aim to feature neighborhood residents from diverse backgrounds throughout our four magazines (Bellaire, West University, Memorial, and Tanglewood/River Oaks). We encourage our readers to reach out with story ideas spotlighting interesting neighbors and a variety of topics.

Good work on ‘Marathon Men’

I enjoyed reading your article [Marathon Men: In Houston and Athens, by Pooja Salhotra, January 2022], which had a nice flow about it. It did indeed honor George Sarantopoulos for his efforts in creating this exchange program between Athens and Houston, which continues to this day. I also got a great deal of pleasure remembering the vibrant running scene in Houston during the ’80s. Lastly, your article gave a nice insight into the Greek community. Thanks for the good work.

Peter Baird

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