opened up a whole new world of learning for Connie. She continued her instruction in Vancouver for a total of four years and then came back to Vinton, along with two of her instructors that helped to open up a deaf blind school there. Connie was with the graduating class of 1973 at the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School. At the age of 19, after spending a month of examinations and tests, at the University of Iowa Hospital, in Iowa City, about 50 specialists from all over the world tried to determine why Connie had become deaf and blind. At the time, because of the diagnosis of spinal cerebellar ataxia, they estimated that Connie would not survive past the age of 30. Her neurologist calls her the miracle lady and said they would have to name this ataxia after her as hers was so unique.
Connie went on to work at Options of Linn County doing a variety of jobs. She has attended Camp Courageous and in 1988 she attended the American Association of the Deaf Blind National Conference, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After the death of her Mother, Connie came to live with Pam and Roger Rust, in Harlan and worked at Concerned, Inc. working for a total of 43 years. After an illness in May of 2016, she had resided at the Avoca Nursing Home and Rehab Center in Avoca, Iowa.
Connie passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2018 due to complications from the ataxia and pneumonia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Jean Herrington of Marion, Iowa. Those left to cherish her memory are her sister Pam Rust (Roger), Nieces Sarah Lesch (Josh), Tatum Lange (Mac), Nephews Ryan Denton (Breanne), Todd Denton (Ashley), Travis Rust (Ruth), eleven great nieces and nephews, Step Mom Rosemary Herrington, Step Brothers Jim Freeze (Ann), Tim Freeze (Shana), along with many loving relatives and friends.
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