Virus Didn’t Stop This Hard Worker

Once Freda Jaramillo decided what she wanted, even a potentially deadly virus couldn’t stop her.

“Oh, I figure if I can do it, anyone can,” she says, unwilling to give herself the slightest pat on the back.

Freda’s worked all her life, raising four children, cleaning and wiring in Coeur d’Alene hotels and factories. She liked the physical work. But four years ago, her hands and wrists revolted.

“It was surgery or quit,” she says.

Freda, instead, enrolled in classes at the Panhandle Area Council. She was 47 and wanted to learn clerical skills - computers, accounting, sales, writing - that wouldn’t tax her physically and that she could use in a small office.

Now, Freda marvels at how farsighted she was.

A year into her retraining, the virus hit. Doctors first thought it was bronchitis, then pneumonia. Then tests showed the killer virus was destroying her heart.

Six days in intensive care led to two years at home. Freda couldn’t even vacuum. When doctors finally said her heart had regained about half its power, Freda prepared to return to work. Manual labor no longer was an option.

She went back to class and began volunteering at a local food bank to practice her computer skills. Her persistence impressed Vicki Hahn, Freda’s PAC contact.

A year ago, Vicki convinced Jim and Sue Mahon to train Freda to manage their office. They own J & S Janitorial Supplies and an auction business in Hayden.

“Sometimes I want to strangle her, sometimes I want to kiss her,” says Jim, teasing Freda as if she’s one of his kids.

Gov. Phil Batt is a bit more generous in his praise. He honored Freda with a Job Training Partnership Act award this year for overcoming barriers to employment. He awarded only three throughout the state and brought Freda more attention that she wants.

“I like being in the background,” she says, with a small smile. “I still feel like I have a long way to go, a lot more to do.”

One man’s junk…

Coeur d’Alene’s EXCEL Foundation has gone to extremes to raise money for schools over the years. First, it threw lavish parties for the upper crust. Now, it sells leftovers. Oddly, EXCEL’s been successful with both because it gets total community support.

EXCEL volunteers are collecting now for this year’s World’s Greatest Rummage Sale. They need people to help and donations of used stuff. EXCEL has raised more than $303,000 in 10 years and the money has gone toward science equipment, books and special programs the school district can’t afford to buy. If you want to donate your time or some used items, call Sheila Gary at 772-5873 or Jill Stillwell at 772-2555.

It’s back

The Lake City Playhouse has recuperated from a fire last December and is celebrating with its own version of “Heidi.” It’s a one-of-a-kind production by two Coeur d’Alene artists: playwright Randall Adams and composer Gerard Mathes.

Check out the fresh-smelling theater on 14th Street and Garden Avenue. The play runs through the end of the month. Tickets are $6, $8 and $10. Call 667-1323 for tickets.

Busted

What do you think will happen if the rest of the nation reads in the papers that surprise raids at North Idaho high schools yielded next to nothing in drugs or weapons? If I were a parent in California or New York, I’d be packed and headed for the Panhandle before I finished breakfast.

Are our kids too busy snowboarding, backpacking and hunting or just too smart to take drugs to school? Opine on those issues for Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene 83814; Fax to 765-7149; or call 765-7128.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo