SHELBY — As I sit down to pen this article, I’m at a loss. Words, who have always been my friends, are eluding me. Perhaps it’s because we don’t have words strong or eloquent enough to describe the young woman I’m currently thinking of … maybe we never will.
Lindsey Gies is humble, kind, gracious, gregarious, and above all else, joyous. Her laughter often rings out through the hallways and classrooms, creating a domino effect of joy in its wake. I know that I am not alone when I say that I cannot wait to hear it again.
Five weeks ago, Lindsey added some new words to her vocabulary, and that is what I’m struggling with defining now. An infection, silent and predatory, tried to claim Lindsey. As she lay on a hospital bed, air artificially pumped into her body, a community came together to pray.
Her strength is something better described in comic books, in a world of daring heroes and superpowers. She prevailed, and in the wake of conquering this infection, she remains so completely humble; laying thanks at the feet of a higher power. Those same words of thanks are on the lips of an entire community.
This infection has left its mark on Lindsey, requiring her to undergo a double leg amputation below each knee on Jan. 3. The bitterness and angst that might accompany such a diagnosis for anyone else are nonexistent in Lindsey. Her response to a newspaper article that described her amputation as a “setback” shines with the quintessential strength and perseverance that she has come to embody:
“I do not see this as a setback, but as another chance at life. My feet are in constant pain and without this surgery, I would never be able to return to my life again. I couldn’t get through this without my amazing family and all the love and support from all of you! I am truly so grateful to be here today, God is so good!”
Again, there are really no words that encapsulate that type of tenacity, fortitude, and faith.
Lindsey is now concentrating on her rehabilitation in a hospital closer to home. As a community, when she is discharged, we would like you to join us in lining the streets and homes of Shelby and beyond with yellow ribbons, Lindsey’s favorite color. As that date is still in flux, more information will be shared later. In the meantime, we would like to encourage the public to support both the Gies family and Lindsay.
Students at SHS will be making ribbons to hang outside homes and business. These ribbons will be available to the public in the SHS main office starting on Monday, Jan. 28, for donations that will go directly to the Gies family. In addition to wrapping the town in yellow, there are also t-shirts available.
The “Love for Lindsey” t-shirt is another way to show support for Lindsey. They are only $10 and all orders are due by Jan 31. That money will be given directly to the Gies family to offset the financial burden that they have incurred.
When Lindsay is released from the hospital, we will line the streets of Shelby, and our hope is to also do this across Richland, Crawford, Huron and Ashland County too, wearing t-shirts in her favorite color along with yellow ribbons place proudly in front of homes and businesses. We plan to line the streets that day, no matter what the weather, and welcome her home where she is surrounded by love and support.
There are order forms for the t-shirts from Youth SM – Adult 3XL all for $10. Schools will only ACCEPT CASH for orders. Orders can also be placed online at https://shop.cain.graphics/collections/love-for-lindsey. Any person wishing to make an additional donation to the Gies family can send a check to Shelby High School Student Council/Tawny Cox, 1 Whippet Way, Shelby, Ohio 44875.
If you have any questions regarding t-shirt orders please contact Bobbi Weaver at Shelby High School. Email: weaver.bobbi@shelbyk12.org Phone: 419-342-5065 Ext .27402; Cell: 419-961-7587.
Jackie Duncan
Shelby, Ohio
