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Angelica was founded at the end of 2005 by a group of New Yorkers who had previously volunteered at Coler-Goldwater Hospital, dating back to the mid-1990s.. Their unique and inspiring experiences with the patients and residents at the hospital led these volunteers to form a new, independent charity devoted to enhancing the lives of economically disadvantaged patients in need of long-term medical care.
The founders were especially inspired by a patient named Tamika. Tamika lived most of her life at Coler-Goldwater after an accident left her paralyzed from the neck down at the age of two. Despite her physical limitations, Tamika developed into a lovely, accomplished and talented young woman. She mastered multiple computer programs, wrote poetry and painted, and enjoyed creating greeting cards for her family and friends. When volunteers visited on Monday nights, Tamika was always waiting with a smile. The volunteers marveled at her incredible zest for life and a spirit that never flagged.
We searched for a name for our organization that would reflect our admiration for Tamika and other patients who make the most of their lives under difficult circumstances. With Tamika in mind, we decided to name this charity “Angelica,” after a flowering plant that means “inspiration.”
Sadly, Tamika passed away in 2005, at the age of 31. But her spirit lives on in the hearts and minds of those who knew her. We continue to be inspired by all the patients at Coler-Goldwater who are striving to live their lives to the fullest despite their physical limitations.
MY LIFE STORY
BY MIKA WALKER, THE DREAMER
I WAS BORN IN THE BRONX ON NOVEMBER 15, 1973. I HAVE FOUR BROTHERS AND TWO SISTERS. ONE OF MY BROTHERS IS IN THE NAVY THEN HE GOT MARRIED FOR A WHILE THEN THEY BROKE UP. MY MOTHER’S NAME IS MARTHA WALKER. I STILL DON’T GET TO [SEE] HER MUCH. WHEN I WAS TWO YEARS OLF I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT MY GRANDFATHER WAS DRIVING THE CAR AND THEN WE CRASHED. MY SPINE WAS BROKEN. I AM PARALYZED FROM THE NECK DOWN TO MY FEET. I HAVE BEEN LIVING IN GOLDWATER HOSPTIAL SINCE I WAS 3 IN A HALF. MY GRANDMOTHER USE TO COME VISIT ME EVERY SUNDAY. MY BROTHERS TRY TO COME VISIT ME, TOO. HANK IS THE MOST SWEETES KINDEST MAN WHO I AM PROUD TO CALL MY FATHER. HE AND FRIENDS AND HIS BROTHERS HAVE A GROUP THAT IS CALLED THE WHEELCHAIR CLASSIC BASKETBALL TEAM. TOGETHER THEY RAISE MONEY FOR PATIENTS LIKE ME THE MONEY IS USED TO BUY BUSES AND NEW EQUIPMENT FOR US. I WOULD LIKE TO GET MY OWN APARTMENT WITH MY OWN NURSE. I WOULD TO HAVE MY OWN WORKSHOP BECAUSE I LIKE TO PAINT A LOTS OF TREES AND CATS I ALSO LIKE TO MAKE THINGS WITH CLAY LIKE BOATS. I ALSO LIKE TO WRITE POEMS AND SHORT STORIES. I WOULD LIKE TO SELL MY PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS AND AUTOBIOGRAPHY IN THE FUTURE SO COULD BE FAMOUSE. I PLANE TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE HANDICAPED I LIKE TO SPEND A DAY WITH THEM SO THAT CAN WORK THEIR MOUTHSTICK LIKE I DO. EVEN IF SHE WAS ALIVE TODAY I STILL WANT MY GRANDMOTHER TO LIVE WITH ME IN MY OWN PLACE. BECAUSE I STILL LOVE VERY VERY VERY MUCH. SHE IS THE ONE THAT CAME TO VISIT ME A LOT MORE THEN MY MOTHER. SINCE I SMALL I HAVE BEEN ON TV AND IN THE NEWSPAPERS BECAUSE OF MY DAD AND HIS TEAM. THEY RAISE MONEY TO BUY SUCTION MACHINES SO THAT COULD GO OUT OF THE HOSPITAL LIKE TO SCHOOL. HE BOUGHT BUSES THT HAVE LIFTS ON THEM TO TAKE US OUT ON TRIPS LIKE TO THE BANQET DINNER AND BASKETBALL GAMES. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I GET EMOTIONAL BECAUSE I’M IN A WHEELCHAIR AND I CAN’T WALK AROUND LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE OR WRITE WITH A PEN OR PENCIL OR MAKER WITH MY HAND. I WOULD LOVE TO DANCE, COOK, SKATE, RUN, SWIM, WALK AND I WOULD LOVE DRESS MYSELF UP. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PLAY VOLLEYYBALL WITH MY HANDS. A LOT OF TIMES I FEEL LIKE HUGGING SOMEONE BUT I CAN’T. MANY PEOPLE GET TO HUG ME BUT SOME DON’T BECAUSE OF MY TRACHEOSTOMY TUBE. MY GRANDMOTHER USE TO HUG ME ALL THE TIME AND MY BROTHERS HUG ME ANYWAY EVEN THOUGH I HAVE ALL I THIS BREATHING EQUIPMENT. I JUST WISH MORE PEOPLE WOULD HUG ME AND I STILL DO. I ALSO WISH I HAD MORE FRIENDS MY AGE TO GO OUT AND FUN WITH THEM. WE WOULD WATCH MOVIES AND EAT POPCORN. WE WOULD GO SHOPPING FOR CLOTHES AND SHOES. I WISH I DRIVE A CAR IF I COULD I WOULD GO TO CALIFORNIA TO GO VISIT MY GODMOTHER ANN AND WOULD TO FLORIDA AND HAWAII I WOULD SPEND MORE TIME HAVING FUN WITH A LOTS OF PEOPLE WITH MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND BY MYSELF.
KNOCKING
Who is at the door?
Robert, with a pink box and an envelope.
Who is at the door?
Happiness, with colored paper and a brush.
Who is at the door?
A memory of my brothers, with a hug and a kiss.
Who is at the door?
My radio, with a backpack full of red lullabies.
Who is at the door?
Four hearts, running around and jumping.
Who is at the door?
A pink horse, walking on the beach.
Who is at the door?
A rose, a small cup,
a room with no one in it.
Animal Blues
I’m just a rabbit, starvin’ for some food,
I’m just a rabbit, starvin’ for some food,
If I had some carrots, I’d change my attitude…
I’m just a cat, lookin’ for some yarn,
I’m just a cat, lookin’ for some yarn,
Just lookin’ to have fun, don’t mean no harm…
I’m just a robin, and I like to fly,
I’m just a robin, and I like to fly,
When I fly in the air, my spirit takes me high…
I Dream
I dream for the voice of my grandmother when I sleep at
night,
I dream of my brother’s deep voice that sounds like the
ocean on a calm day,
I dream of my cousin’s little mouse voice calling my name in
my head,
I dream of the smell of roses on the beach with the tide
coming in the afternoon,
I dream of the taste of apple pie with friends, lying on the
Florida sand.
I dream the color red painting itself into hearts on a
canvas of happiness,
I dream of white horses carrying me to my beach house in
summer.
MY DREAMS: PART II
Under the blue sky I see a strong dove flying
in the clouds.
Under the blue sky when I am dreaming I start
to create my own world.
Under the blue sky my world is like a
lake with trees around the shore.
Under the blue sky starfish are also swimming
in the lake.
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