Judith Ebbinghaus

Go to page  Select from the list Raysa Abreu Jane Ayers Bob Baker Lothar Bauer Lisa Becker Sandra Benitez Sara Biesiadny Scott Bowling Robert Cuyler Elizabeth Davis Nadia Deane Father Dennis Donovan Teresa Dvorak Cheryl Ebbinghaus Judith Ebbinghaus Scott Ellis Rick Ellison Mike Florak Misty Blue Foster Susan Foster Doug Graham Charlie Grotevant Valencia Hardaway Eric Hayes Sylvia Prothro Hebert Rodney Hedgepeth Tim Jelley Tyler Kalbac Kristen Kitzler Daniel Kraciun Jean-Pierre Lapointe Jeff Larsen Johan Lindgren Wendy Lueder Jason McGaharan Patrick McKinney Maggie Montoya Mayor Jorge Vargas Morales Jamie Nakamura Michael Nash Sean O'Brien Giuseppe Penello Stefano Piazza Mona Rezapour Thomas Rinkacs Tom Robinson Philip Rollinson Abby Ryan Laurel Schwartz Tony Snow Jerzy Truchanowicz Bob Twelvetrees Sarah Vasilakos Julie Vaughan Steven Williams

2004 National Great Comebacks™ Recipient  

Of all the things that Judith Ebbinghaus wanted to share with her children, illness was certainly not one of them. But seven weeks into her pregnancy with her second daughter, Cheryl, Judith (Jude) was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.

After giving birth to their infant daughter, Cheryl, Jude endured four hospitalizations over the next year, while her husband Charlie cared for their two children. He worked full-time and educated himself about the disease. "I don't think either of us knew the true meaning of 'in sickness and in health' when we exchanged vows," notes Jude, "but he certainly has lived the meaning of that commitment. He's my best friend."

In 1986, Jude opted for a proctocolectomy and returned to being a busy wife, mother and literacy specialist in the Groton, Connecticut, public schools. She also was a volunteer Girl Scout leader, camp counselor, marching band chaperone, church lector, and vice president and trained visitor for her United Ostomy Association chapter.

She believed her family was through with inflammatory bowel disease until one morning in 1997. Eleven-year-old Cheryl had returned from a month at Girl Scout camp and was preparing for a day at basketball camp when Jude heard a disturbing noise in the bathroom. Her stomach fell. She checked on Cheryl.

"The look on my daughter's face was one I knew too well," said Jude.

Because Cheryl was most upset about missing camp, Jude let her go. Somehow Jude stayed calm until after she dropped her daughter off, then she pulled over and became hysterical. Later, she called the pediatrician and her husband.

Charlie said. "We just survived your illness, and now our baby has it."

Cheryl was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. In the years since, she's survived 58 surgeries, nine major hospitalizations, and 18 months of home procedures. "Of all we've been through," says Jude, "my daughter's illness truly was the worst thing we've had to face."

They began to accept support, to rely on prayer (Jude was named in honor of the patron saint of desperate situations), and to do volunteer work. Perhaps the biggest salvation for both Jude and Cheryl was the annual UOA Youth Rally. As counselor and camper respectively, they met and bonded with 100 other kids ages 11 to 17, who together learned to discuss and live with their medical challenges.

Jude and Cheryl have attended every year since, and serve as Co-Chairs for the camp’s Teen Network. "I am so hooked," says Jude. "I count the days, and get rejuvenated for the whole year just being there."

She continues to find solace in her volunteer work at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Cheryl, who also volunteers at the hospital and is currently working her way through college, agrees: "Volunteering is good for the soul and good for healing."