::sw inspire
VIRGINIA JABLANSKI (cont)
thelma trotty-selzer (cont) arlene abend (cont)
Having cancer has not slowed Jablanski down. Every day is like any other day. The day before her Dec. 20 surgery, she met with me to be interviewed for the magazine and then less than three weeks after her procedure she met with us again for a photo shoot. Plain and simple, she doesn’t miss a beat.
Despite the differences between cultures and ethnicities, Selzer focuses on the similarities within the human family. “It is important our society bequeath to us a common humanity,” Selzer said, adding the common thread of memory that links past to future is what makes history vital.
Since her first diagnosis, Jablanski says she has found it important to “have or find people” she can trust. On the day of her most recent surgery, Beth Baldwin spent about 16 hours at the hospital to make sure she was OK. It has been that type of unconditional love and support that has made it possible for Jablanski to have cancer, and not let cancer have her.
In 2010 Selzer was diagnosed with breast cancer but is happy to say she had a normal mammogram last year and has participated in a breast cancer awareness event as a survivor for the first time. For 14 years she had participated with her husband in breast cancer awareness events and now this has taken on new meaning, as she remembers being shaken when she wore the pink T-shirt representing that she was a breast cancer survivor.
“I want to live,” she said. “My mom used to say, ‘When people are most unlovable, they are most in need of love.’” Sharing her wisdom and love is something she wants to fulfill in her blessed life. “I try my best to live like that!” The key word is “try,” Jablanski said.
Selzer is also politically involved, starting the “Syracuse for Obama” initiative in 2008, which campaigned to elect President Barack Obama. She became one of five delegates for the 25th district, which stretches as far as Rochester. Selzer, who lights up when she speaks about her grandson, said she has to believe the world will be a better place for future generations. She wants to see progress made in terms of awareness of Native Americans, adding they are invisible to many people who have never visited a reservation or may have a preconceived idea of them.
It would be understated to say she has always been “ahead of her time,” but her outlook on life is not only refreshing, it’s truly inspiring. “You have to find what’s meaningful for you and find a way to make it happen.” From the moment she spent time sculpting sand on a beach as a child, she knew art was meant for her. No matter that a typical welding workshop was not fit for a woman, she made it happen. Her home studio is made for her. With a fourinch step stool, she can reach her heavy-duty machinery without hesitation. If you get a chance to view her artwork or watch a recent, exceptionally detailed documentary (produced by Courtney Rile and Mike Barletta, of Daylight Blue Media) on Abend’s life thus far, “Stretching Boundaries - Life Work of Arlene Abend, you would most likely have some compliments to extend. I told her, “You’re amazing.” She replied, “I don’t feel amazing.” Thousands of admirers of her work, if not more, would disagree.
Selzer wants to have left the world a better place. In all her lifetime endeavors, she strives not to be selforiented. “I think you have to give back to society, and if you do that then the society becomes better.”
“ AYHPT
noÊexcuseÊ notÊtoÊworkÊout.
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hasÊgivenÊmeÊ
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