Nancy A. Herrin Foundation

Brain Cancer Awareness and Learning Disabilities

Nancy Herrin lived the majority of her life with a learning disability. She was able to read and write but was slow at learning and because of her disability she wasn’t able to work but enjoyed living as a homemaker. Though she may not have understood a lot of things and different situations she was eager to try new things and explore new areas.

During Nancy' s earlier years she developed a brain tumor and had major brain surgery. Along with this brain tumor it was also discovered that she had developed what is called hydrocephalus (additional brain fluid developing in the brain). After the tumor was removed a shunt was put in place to help control excess brain fluid.

Sometime during her life after her surgery she didn’t continue her follow-up visits with a neurologist or specialist that was helping her be treated with her condition.

Shortly before Nancy passed she was experiencing several complications including severe headaches, speech difficulties, leg weakness, and poor hand-eye coordination.  Excess brain fluid started building up again. This problem could have been discovered earlier if Nancy continued her check up visits. It is not known or understood why she stopped going for her check ups. Maybe she thought she was okay enough to discontinue visits. 

A few days before Nancy passed she lost consciousness briefly while at home and then regained consciousness again before paramedics arrived. In short- she was scheduled to have an MRI done on her brain but passed away the day before it was scheduled to be done. She passed out and lost consciousness while stepping into the bathtub to take a bath and because she was under water too long it was too late to save her.
 

For those that experience the trauma of a brain tumor or brain cancer either yourself or know of a loved one please take the time to research and understand the condition and be sure you understand your options and take special care of yourself or your loved one while recovering. 

Many individuals are aware of the various learning disabilities that thousands of Americans live with each day. Children as well as adults who have to make special adjustments involving their daily activities need patience, understanding, and caring individuals to help them throughout their life.

In memory of Nancy the foundation will make pledge contributions to organizations that focus on the importance of brain tumor awareness and similar rare neurological conditions as well as organizations that help support and recognize the importance of learning disabilities.

Other reference information:

-American Brain Tumor Association

-National Center for Learning Disabilities

-The National Association for the Education of African American Children with Learning Disabilities

Literacy Awareness

Nancy enjoyed various activities throughout her lifetime. As a homemaker she kept herself active doing a variety of things from spending time with family and friends, cooking, and light exercise such as going for walks. An activity she enjoyed the most was reading.  Nancy

enjoyed reading a wide range of publications including the local paper, magazines, novels, biographies and reading to young children.

Nancy may have had a learning disability but one thing she made obvious was her passion for reading. She enjoyed reading about women's health issues, domestic violence/crime (local and abroad), and children’s issues such as what's going on in the school systems and so on. One of her main issues of interest included an important issue within the African American community- a very high number of African Americans are illiterate and unable to read. She had an interest in reading about various organizations and programs that help children and adults.

The Nancy A. Herrin Foundation Inc. will support organizations who provide assistance to adults and children who are in special programs that help by way of improving their reading skills. In hopes of highlighting an important issue within the African American community along with helping children and adults with various cultural ethnic backgrounds the foundation will make pledge contributions to organizations and/or programs in Ohio that raise the importance of literacy awareness.

You never know what important information you’re missing out on that can help you in your daily living if you don't take the time to read. If you think life today is difficult- imagine living a life where you didn't know how to read or write while trying to make a better life for yourself. Several effective ways of communicating with one another includes reading and writing. Together they convey powerful messages and words worth understanding.

(Additional literacy information and updates will be provided by Carla Jones.)

Mental Health Awareness

Foundation founder Tanisha L. Herrin has struggled with depression for more than 10 years. Her depression stemmed from a traumatic event that happened when she was 12 yrs old that involved being robbed at home by gun point.  For years Tanisha struggled with her self image by way of not having a lot of confidence in herself, self hatred, and even guilt. Throughout high school and even after graduation her symptoms of depression got worst-yet she was unaware that major depression was starting to take its toll.

Tanisha had difficulty in communicating with other people including withdrawing from social events and gatherings and at one point almost a social phobia by not wanting to talk to people at all or feeling uncomfortable speaking in front of individuals. During school Tanisha developed bad habits including self-starvation, self injury by cutting or hurting herself, and several attempts at suicide. Tanisha didn’t have very many friends in school so when it came to solving problems or needing help she didn’t bother to speak about them or seek assistance.  

For many years the symptoms of depression were there but were ignored such as
feeling worthless, hopeless, tired, irritability, anxiety, and just feeling down most of the time. Not wanting to eat, sleep, and loss of interest in activities that was enjoyed at one time briefly earlier on was also experienced. After feeling this way for so long it almost felt normal- feeling down, having low self-esteem, and having a mind full of negative thoughts.

One evening while at home alone with her then 1 year old son Tanisha had hit rock bottom- it was two weeks before the sudden passing of her mother Nancy when she wanted to end her own life right in her own living room. Over the years Tanisha had felt a lot of pain and sorrow and at that moment her heart ached at the thought of her losing her own life in front of her only child- the pain was unbearable- she was lucky enough to recognize that she needed help.

Today there are thousands of individuals that live with a mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorders, and anxiety just to name a few. Having good mental health is very important but also understanding the various types of mental illnesses that are out there is very important as well. Having connections to good resources such as various organizations and supporting individuals make living each day more of a blessing.  Please take time to read, review, and talk about the importance of mental health and the various mental health issues that are important to those you care about that suffer from a mental illness especially if you suffer a mental illness yourself.  

The Nancy A. Herrin Foundation Inc. will make pledge contributions to organizations that support, teach, and emphasize the importance of mental health awareness. The foundation will feature mental health brochures that will provide facts, other resources, and useful information.

Tanisha L Herrin is a supporting member of the formerly known organization Mental Health Association now known as Mental Health

.
Other reference information:

-Mental Health Association of Southwest Ohio, Inc.

-Mental Health America

-Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance