Larry Shopping for Grapes
Horn Lake, Mississippi ~ 2017
Oil on Canvas
30" x 24"
Having NF as a child, had its struggles. Larry Hollis was made fun of a lot for being short and skinny. The scoliosis made him shorter than others in school so they pushed him around. Back in the 60’s, he just had to deal with it, he didn’t dare report it or his life would have been worse. He also struggled in math.He had bad memory problems and still does. He just never could understand and get it. He was so excited when he graduated and was done.
Larry's mother passed away a year after he graduated high school. She was a quiet lady and never discussed NF with him. She had fibromas all over her body. Larry knew he had it too but didn’t ask her as she avoided the conversation.
Larry didn’t start getting fibromas on the outside of his body until in his 20’s. Scoliosis had a major impact on his life so any type of sports were out of the question. At the base of his brain and spinal cord there is a Posterior Fossa Arachnoid Cyst. Larry gets tired and short of breath if he stands for any length of time or walks. His ribs hurt due to the scoliosis. He uses a cane for support. For any distance he uses a power chair, at the store or at the park.
After two marriages that ended in divorce, Larry was depressed that he would never find anyone. he discovered the Children’s Tumor Foundation's website. They had a link where there were others that had NF like him. He talked with others and found comfort as they all understood each other. Then there was one lady, Joan, they connected. A year later they were married. Larry is thankful for her. They are both involved in the "Great Steps for NF" walks put on by Neurofibromatosis Network.
Sadly, Joan passed away in 2017 due to NF complications.
Larry's mother passed away a year after he graduated high school. She was a quiet lady and never discussed NF with him. She had fibromas all over her body. Larry knew he had it too but didn’t ask her as she avoided the conversation.
Larry didn’t start getting fibromas on the outside of his body until in his 20’s. Scoliosis had a major impact on his life so any type of sports were out of the question. At the base of his brain and spinal cord there is a Posterior Fossa Arachnoid Cyst. Larry gets tired and short of breath if he stands for any length of time or walks. His ribs hurt due to the scoliosis. He uses a cane for support. For any distance he uses a power chair, at the store or at the park.
After two marriages that ended in divorce, Larry was depressed that he would never find anyone. he discovered the Children’s Tumor Foundation's website. They had a link where there were others that had NF like him. He talked with others and found comfort as they all understood each other. Then there was one lady, Joan, they connected. A year later they were married. Larry is thankful for her. They are both involved in the "Great Steps for NF" walks put on by Neurofibromatosis Network.
Sadly, Joan passed away in 2017 due to NF complications.