“600 Words by Esther J. Cepeda”
After being brutally struck with a hammer 25 times when she was just twenty-two, then living through a grueling year of recovery after which her doctor’s said she’d never never be able to care for herself – much less go to college or have a career – Cynthia LaBoy’s family moved her out of their Chicago apartment and fled to the relative safety of Lake County.
“The same day we moved, my parents took me to the campus of the College of Lake County and even though they were told ‘she’ll never do anything’ they said, ‘You’re going to get your education,’” said LaBoy, a 37-year-old Chicago-born Puertoriquena who still deals with the challenges of traumatic brain injury after a brutally violent crime.
“I needed help reading, spelling, writing, I had to fight for it and struggle, but all these other things opened up and I got the opportunity of a lifetime with the housing job through the CLC financial aid office as a student worker.”
Today she’s still at the Lake County Housing Authority, now as a bilingual assistant property manager, connecting families to clean, safe living conditions and teaching them how to be responsible homeowners.
“I help all sorts of people not just the Hispanic parts of our community, whether it’s for a leaky faucet or to translate documents from English to Spanish,” LaBoy told me in her strong, clear voice. “I deal a lot with seniors and kids, too, I take care of 150-160 apartments by managing their inspections and re-certifications to qualify as low-income housing.”
A fair amount of her time, too, is spent teaching others. “I have families who need to understand the value and importance of cutting their grass, and need to learn what it means to be a homeowner, what the responsibilities are,” LaBoy said. “They’re grateful to have a safe, sanitary home to raise their children on their own and the whole community benefits.”
LaBoy blurs the lines of work and play by getting involved with the community experience of the homeowners she assists, too. “I help organize 3-on-3 basketball games, Mother-son activities and Father-daughter dances, and Shop-with-a-Cops.” She even plays on a community softball team – “Cynthia doesn’t say ‘no!’ I didn’t say I could hit the ball but I’m gonna try –” all while being a single mom to a 12-year-old daughter, “Savannah, my pride and joy, my inspiration,” she gushed.
“I have the support of my parents who are my rock,” LaBoy said, “they’ve been with me through thick and thin, they’re the ones who taught me that with hard work you can achieve anything if you really, really want it – no matter what you want.”
One can hardly imagine what sort of firecracker this young woman was before the violence left her forever enabled by software that helps her with the reading and writing tasks her job demands, but she never even brings it up in conversation. Rather, she is literally a beacon of light who also fails to mention all the other things she does for the betterment of this region.
Ms. La Boy received the Ed Roberts Award – given to individuals who have not let their disability stand in their way – in December of 2008. She was selected in February 2008, as a representative to attend the annual conference for The Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities in Illinois, and attends the Annual Brain Injury Conference every year in Oakbrook, Illinois. That never even came up in conversation.
“I’m a person with a disability, but I was given an opportunity,” LaBoy told me. “I could have died, but I didn’t die. I’m here for a reason, I have to help people who aren’t getting it otherwise.”
“If I can help somebody, if I can inspire them in some way to know you can achieve anything no matter what the obstacles, then that’s what I’m here to do.”
“Chicago Latino List 2009” was generously sponsored by the Chicago Sinfonietta, the Chicago White Sox, and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises Restaurants. All nominees were independently nominated for this recognition; their rejection and/or selection to “Chicago Latino List 2009” was not, in any way, influenced by any disclosed or undisclosed personal or professional proximity to Esther J. Cepeda or to any sponsor of “Chicago Latino List 2009”.
Esther J. Cepeda writes the "600 Words" & "Pregunta del Dia" columns, and is also the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Her views and reporting do not necessarily reflect those of ISAC. "600 words" is a registered trademark of EeJayCee, Inc., Copyright 2008. May be reprinted with permission, contact eejaycee@600words.com
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