by Mindy Irish
Today Bev and I sat down at 9:45AM on a Monday morning. She had just gotten the kids off to school and was pretty tired from the weekend. I caught her in her pajamas and she welcomed my children and me in for a chat. Her kiddos had been sick over the weekend and the days were long. Thankfully both of them got to feeling better and could return to school today. Due to the lack of sleep, Bev felt her strength was down and she chose not to go to tennis class this morning. She was preparing for a driver to pick her up shortly for a trip to the grocery so she could purchase items to make dinner for the family later that evening.
Bev filled me in on her recent visit to the Indiana Pacers game! She was nominated by her friend and neighbor Jessie Yeager for the “Indiana Heroes” award. Great news! She was chosen to receive the award and was recognized at the February 25, 2014 Pacers’ home game. In order to receive this prestigious award, the organization was looking for these qualities:
“The Indiana Heroes program presented by Citizens Energy Group serves as one of the premier community outreach programs of the Indiana Pacers. This program honors an individual(s) who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others and who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to our community and our State.”
Bev is the perfect fit to receive this!
As part of her recognition, she received this letter in the mail along with four courtside tickets to attend the game. Bev wanted to take people with her who have been a part of her journey for quite some time and she chose Cindi Berry, Shelley Lewis, and Cami Logan to accompany her to the event. They arrived at 6:15PM and enjoyed some food from the stadium concession stands.
At half time, they read Bev’s story and she was escorted to the court with Darnell Hullman, a very tall man in his late 60s. Darnell is known as “Dr. Dunk” from the 1977 Slam Dunk Contest! Bev reports that she was extremely nervous and was glad they read her story….she didn’t have to speak!
Dressed in a turquoise outfit, Bev stood on the center court line alongside “Dr. Dunk” and they flashed her picture up on the big screens. This is her bio as found on the Indiana Heroes Website:
“Bev Hartig and her husband moved to Indiana in 2002. In 2003 they welcomed a daughter that suffers from Cri du Chat, which can be described as severe Down Syndrome; and in 2004 welcomed a healthy baby boy. After facing the many trials in dealing with their daughter’s disability, Bev was then diagnosed with Huntington’s Disease, a terminal genetic disease that is a mix between Alzheimer’s and ALS. Instead of living in fear of how their lives would play out, including a 50% chance their children would inherit this disease, Bev and her husband Bob started their own non-profit organization called the Bev Hartig Huntington’s Disease Fundraiser. 
So far they have raised over $350,000 towards finding a cure for Huntington’s Disease. Bev has made a huge difference in the Indianapolis community by showing courage in the face of adversity. Instead of giving up and allowing the disease to run her life, she if facing this disease head on and teaching others how to deal with hardship.”
Her souvenir from this event is a wonderful plaque that sits prominently on her mantel in her bedroom. What an honor to be considered AND the recipient of such an award! All while we were wrapping up our discussion for today, Bev sits with a smile and positive attitude. She enjoys watching my two children run about and play with Katie’s stuffed animals while she’s away at school. Bev always makes us feel at home, offers my kids a drink {they know right where the drinks are now!} and she always asks me about me. I’m there to interview her and she’s taking time out to find out about me and what’s going on in my life. I share this because she’s overflowing with joy amidst all her struggle.
Life is hard. Life is hard for her on so many levels. But, she’s choosing to make each day positive and meaningful. I caught a glimpse of a recent post of hers in my Facebook newsreel and just had to share it. It pretty much sums up who she is and how she approaches each day:
Posted by Bev March 9, 2014
Three things to keep in mind this week:
1. Approach people with kindness and you will improve the world.
2. When you count your blessings, please count your health.
3. You are stronger than you think.
How can you have a bad day after reading that?! Thanks for the valuable tips, Bev!
Stay tuned every couple of weeks as we update on Bev’s life as an Overcomer, living for the purpose of using her story to impact and change lives for the future! If you desire to contact her, you can reach out to her on Facebook HERE or by email at bevhartig@hotmail.com