Interview with Cyndi Lu Daniels, 2022
2022.062.020
Creator
Todd, Joe (Interviewer)
Language
A transcript of this interview is available
Extent (quantity/size)
27 minutes
Subjects
Cataracts / Developmental Disabilities / Education, Secondary
Descriptive Notes
Cyndi Lu Daniels was born June 20, 1960 in Little Rock, Arkansas. She graduated from Mount St. Mary's Academy in 1978. In school she played tennis, swimming, volleyball and tried basketball. Cyndi Lu talks about her school, chores, and house growing up in Little Rock. She discusses going to school at Mount St. Mary's Academy including the teachers as nuns and that it was originally a girls only school. She met her husband while attending the University of Arkansas. After they married, they moved to Oklahoma where she continued her education at Central State University (now University of Central Oklahoma). She had a baby in 1984 and finished her degree. Cyndi Lu is guardian of her brother Kelly. During the first trimester of her pregnancy, Cyndi Lu and Kelly's mother had German Measles. When Kelly was born, he had brain damage, seizure tendencies, a heart murmurer, and cataracts. He went through several surgeries by the time he was ten. He had the cataracts removed, but the lens technology was not at the same level as it is in the present. Cyndi Lu talks about Kelly being bullied in school and some of the challenges he faces. She talks about his duties around the house and her role as guardian as well as Kelly's relationship with her husband Hank. Additionally, she discusses the challenges in finding an appropriate school for Kelly to go to. He ultimately attended Morris Academy, a Catholic Boarding School in Searcy, Arkansas. He also volunteers with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) driving individuals to appointments. He has regular clients who request him as their driver.