Sharyn Scheyd

"When I must leave you for a little while please do not grieve and shed wild tears and hug your sorrow to you through the years. But start out bravely with a gallant smile; and for my sake and in my name, live on and do all things the same, feed not your loneliness on empty days, but fill each waking hour in useful ways, reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer and I in turn will comfort you and hold you near; and never, never be afraid to die, for I am waiting for you in the sky!" New Orleans - Sharyn Scheyd, a long-time advocate for families of children with disabilities, departed this world peacefully on December 10, 2006 at her home in Breaux Bridge, LA. Sharyn was a long time resident of Kenner, Louisiana prior to Hurricane Katrina. Born on March 6, 1948 in Charenton, LA, Sharyn grew up in a military family, living on three continents and six states, by the time she graduated from high school. She and her family moved to New Orleans when she was 18 years old. Her ancestors had lived in south Louisiana for over 250 years. Sharyn spent most of her life in the greater New Orleans area. Sharyn attended college at Southeastern in Hammand, where she graduated as a medical technologist with a specialty in blood bank. She worked at several hospitals in the New Orleans area, where she was recognzed for making some discoveries in blood typing. She spent several years in Louisville, KY before returning to the New Orleans area then after Hurricane Katrina she moved to Breaux Bridge, which she loved very much. She was the eldest of five siblings, two brothers, David John Ellis, Jr. of Abita Springs and William Conrad Ellis of Chesterfield, MO; and two sisters, Susan Ellis Berghan of Seattle, WA and Pamela Ellis Allison of Gatlinburg, TN. Growing up, she was always the big sister that her siblings looked up to, she was 3 to 11 years older than the others. She and her siblings would put on Christmas plays every year for their parents and she was the director. Sharyn married in her late twenties and started her family. She was a loving mother of three wonderful children, Chris Duda of New Orleans, Matthew Duda of Harahan and Ashley Marie Duda of Breaux Bridge. Sharyn was a leader in the disability community since Ashley's birth in 1984. When her first child, Christopher, was born he needed to stay in the hospital for several weeks due to some complications. Sharyn was there watching over him the entire time. When her second child, Matthew, was born three years later, Sharyn was thrilled. A few years after that her daughter, Ashley was born. When Ashley was a few months old, Matthew developed an appendicitis which the doctors could not diagnose for almost 10 days. By that time he was developing peritonitis. The doctors told Sharyn that if Matthew was not operated on immediately, he would die. He stayed in the hospital for 2 weeks after his surgery. Again, Sharyn never left his side. Since she was still nursing Ashley, she and Ashley moved into the hospital and stayed with Matthew. It was during this ordeal that Sharyn was told her daughter had a very rare condition called "Lissencephaly", smooth brain. She had a doctor cruel enough to tell her that Ashley was a mistake that never should have been born and would not live a year. Sharyn loved her children so much and would not accept this verdict that was so cruelly handed to her; she had a dream for Ashley. Sharyn fought like a mother lion to see that that dream came true. She started working as an advocate for other families of children with disabilities. Eventually, Sharyn would help hundreds of children around the country. Families who had lost hope for their children began to dream too. Slowly, these dreams came true. Ashley celebrated that first birthday the doctor had said would never happen. She has since celebrated 22 birthdays. Each one is a blessing to us all and a credit to her mother - Sharyn Scheyd loved her children. Ms. Scheyd was the first Director of Project PROMPT, Louisiana's Parent Training and Information Center. Throughout her life as a disability advocate she assisted individuals with disabilities and their families in achieving their dreams of inclusive edcuation and independent living. Sharyn was a strong proponent of person-centered planning which allowed many to realize their dreams of home ownership and community living. She was an effective leader who mentored many disability advocates throughout Louisiana with a soft, but firm voice, all the while helping them to see the potential in themselves. She became a public speaker, traveling around the United States, encouraging others to reach for their dreams. Sharyn was a valued member of the "National Speakers Association" and a past president. Ms. Scheyd had been the coordinator for Partners in Policymaking for the past seven years. This is a training program for parents of children with disabilities and people with disabilities. The participants learn skills that enable and empower them to return to their communities as strong advocates. Sharyn was a certified laughter leader. Laughter and positive thinking were the tools that she recommended to others in dealing with life's challenging situations. Sharyn is also survived by her nieces and nephews, Michelle Ellis, William Ellis, Jr., and David Berghan, Stacy Hebert and Erica Berghan. She was preceded in death by her parents, David John Ellis and Billie (Wilhelmina) Pecot Ellis; her maternal grandparents, Gabriel and Cecile Martel Pecot; and her paternal grandparents, James Charles Ellis and Mae Christiana Cain Ellis. Sharyn was dearly loved by family, friends and colleagues and will be greatly missed by all that had the honor of knowing her. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, 2007 at Jefferson Presbyterian Church, 4450 Jefferson Hwy., Jefferson, LA 70121. It was Sharyn's request that all family and friends in attendance at her memorial service wear bright colors (no black) and she also asked that there should only be laughter, no tears. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in her name to the "Ashley Duda Special Needs Trust", 910 S. Main St., Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 or to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Ste. 200, Lafayette, LA 70503. Pellerin Funeral Home, 337.332.2111, is in charge of arrangements.