As many of you should know Sandy Allen, the world's tallest living woman recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records, passed away on August 13th of this year. She was living in Shelbyville, Indiana about an hour drive from where I live.
In 1988 when I was a sophmore at Indiana Deaf School she came to give a presentation to the audience. I don't remember exactly what the purpose of her visit was, but hey she was the tallest lady in the world. Very interesting presentation, she shared her child and adulthood experiences with us.
One thing I could remember was she was a very new resident of Indiana after living in Niagara Falls for several years. Before moving to Indiana she was a regular guest or worked at Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum. She decided to have a change of life and work in real working world, that's where she became a secretary at a city or county office in Shelbyville.
Blog author's note...from reading Rita Rose's comment below, I realize I have some errors in this paragraph above so here's the correction from Rita...
Sandy worked as a secretary for the State Veterinarian's Office and the BMV for a few years after high school, then went to work at the GUINNESS Museum of Records in Niagara Falls. When she came back to Indiana she lived in Indy and worked in Mayor Hudnut's office, then at the dept. of Public Works as a secretary. When ber health deteriorated a few years ago, she went to the nursing home in Shelbyville, her hometown.
For the last few years she's been living at a senior citizen home where they have the world's oldest living lady Edna Parker living there too. She's 115 now. I tried to find a picture of Sandy and Edna together but couldn't.
Again thanks to Rita for including this The Shelbyville News photo of Edna Parker and Sandy Allen here.
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Now let's talk about Deaf people, do we know of a tallest Deaf person?
Let me tell you who I could think of for now....
Lance Allred at 6'11. Played few games in NBA for Cleveland Cavaliers last season.
As for meeting a tallest Deaf person that I could remember would be Jay Gates, a fraternity brother of mine at college and Willie Brown, a basketball player who tried out for a CBA team Fort Wayne Fury in middle of 1990's. Both are around 6'8.
Now guys, do you know of anyone Deaf that's taller than Lance?
One more thing, any V/Blogger taller than me? I'm at 6'2.
Lane
14 comments:
There is a person I know and I can't disclose his name without his permission. That person is 6'4" or so. I placed my palm against his huge palm. I nearly fainted. It is a 3 times bigger. It is due to his Marfan's disease.
squ65,
He should have an honor to be the biggest ASL user!
Lane,
Squ65, Why not? we need to know if deaf tallest Deaf. you can asking him if is ok with him.
Someone of vlog asked about deaf dwarf few month ago?
I am short people and not dwarf. I am short is 4'11
Deaf Pixie
Interesting! I loved your post ,and thank you for sharing this one!
I popped my mind and forgot to say comment about Marfan's diease that President Lincoln has similiar with Marfan's diease. No one know until they found his dna from his grave. Interest and I did researched it and most family carrier with DNA genes skipped with diease.
Marfin's diease sometime pain for tall people deal with their diease carrier.
Deb Ann, thanks and glad you enjoyed my post.
Deaf Pixie, yeah I remember that vlog on dwarfs and midgets. I didn't know Lincoln had Marfan disease, no wonder he was tall.
Lane,
Thank you for the nice post about Sandy Allen. Just a few clarifications: Sandy worked as a secretary for the State Veterinarian's Office and the BMV for a few years after high school, then went to work at the GUINNESS Museum of Records in Niagara Falls. When she came back to Indiana she lived in Indy and worked in Mayor Hudnut's office, then at the dept. of Public Works as a secretary. When ber health deteriorated a few years ago, she went to the nursing home in Shelbyville, her hometown.
I have written a book about Sandy's high school years called "World's Tallest Woman: The Giantess of Shelbyville High," which will be out in November. I've known Sandy for 31 years and delivered the eulogy at her funeral. What a huge loss for so many people. We also started a scholarship fund in Sandy's name, so anyone who wants to contribute can go to www.blueriverfoundation.com, click on "online giving" then "honorary gifts," then fill in Sandy Allen Scholarship Fund in the appropriate box. Or, you can make a tax-deductible donation by mail. Send it to: Blue River Foundation, 54 W. Broadway St., Suite 1, Shelbyville, IN 46176.
Lane, if you post your email address I can send you a pic of Sandy with Edna Parker.
Rita Rose
Lane:
I've found your blog from Deaf Village. This came across my mind, do you know of a Deaf lady in Indiana who died recently at the age of 100 years old or near that? Please let me know if you do.
Debbie
I'm Deaf 6'5" my hearing son is 6'9". My brothers is 6'4" other 6'6". My Dad is 6'3". They've asking me to replace the light bulbs. How to stop them asking me to replace the light bulb. Simple, I took the pen and throw it to the floor. I asks them to pick it up 'cuz they are closer to the floor. Since then never asking me to replace the light bulb. ZoZombie
Rita Rose, I really appreciate your corrections and sharing the photo of Edna and Sandy here too.
I didn't even know Sandy was raised as a Hoosier, I thought she was all new to Indiana right after working at the museum. Thanks.
I'll be sure to look for your book when it's out this November.
Thanks Rita for stopping by here and sorry to hear about the loss of your long time friend.
Debbie, I think I remember reading an obituitary of this lady somewhere in the Deaf e-newsletter some time ago. I do not remember her name or have met her. I've never known a Deaf person that's lived past 100 years. Wow.
ZoZombie, ha good comment. I could easily change lightbulbs in my kitchen but not in other areas. Too bad I'm short 3 inches.
Haha, loved your quick wit. I met Sandy when she was in Niagara Falls sitting on a big chair in Ripley Believe it or Not place. We (6 of us) came to visit that place during NTID/RIT days between 1985 and 1986. She was a huge lady with sweet humble personality.
Kathy,
You probably mean Guinness museum in Niagara Falls.
I've been a student at NTID too but never been to that museum...silly me. Only been there for my fraternity banquet and to the water falls.
Yea, it was something like that.. I cant really remember the detailed info but what you mentioned looks familiar. I bet it is expensive to be the tallest person... need custom made clothes, shoes, bigger bed, frequent visit to chiropractors to fix back from bending down every time go through doors and 10 meals a day to supply enough energy for that size... smile
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