Ruth Fell didn’t want to be the only one in her
family without a high school diploma. So in 1979, she began working on her GED. Ruth realized her dream on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 when she received her GED at age 81, at a ceremony held at Greece Arcadia High School. Ruth was one of three student speakers and received a standing ovation. With pride shining in her eyes, Ruth spoke of accepting her diploma with family and friends watching from the audience. What is so special about Ruth’s story of achievement? At the age of two, she had encephalitis and was later misdiagnosed as retarded. In truth, the illness left her with learning disabilities. “Though my parents wanted me to have a good education and sent me to private school, I just couldn’t complete the work.” Recognizing her limitations, but determined to be independent, Ruth “took charge of herself in her 60’s.”
Ruth receives help from CFC's Aging and Adult Services Financial Management program and speaks very highly of CFC’s Dick Kaiser, director, Adult Protective and Legal Services, and all that he has done to support her goals. “He taught me how to make train and airline reservations for myself so I can travel when I want to.” She speaks with delight of her travels to Buffalo on Amtrak and to Missouri by plane. And he was there at her graduation ceremony.
Today, Ruth is determined to continue her studies – this time online through Anthem College. Though she is confined to a wheel chair, Ruth recently learned to quilt and is now a member of the Irondequoit Quilt Club. With absolute conviction, she says: “I told my middle niece I’m going to have to live forever so I can make quilts for all my grandnieces and grandnephews when they marry.” With this kind of dedication to her family, support from CFC and her own determination to succeed, Ruth will continue to achieve the independence that is so important to her.
