Creative Woodworks & crafts 2000-10, страница 54

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Don and Joan Lambert

DON AND JOAN LAMBERT

Don Lambert, raised in Louisville, Kentucky, left his hometown after joining the Marines. An injury while serving in Vietnam left Don a quadriplegic.

After discharge from the Marines, Don went to live near his parents in a small Northern California logging town. It soon became apparent that there was no work available for Don in the area and that he must look elsewhere. He eventually found work in Portland, Oregon at the Veterans Administration Medical Center.

In 1988, Don visited a county fair just outside the Portland area. It was there that he saw the RJ3I Hawk scroll saw being demonstrated. Fifteen to twenty surgeries and difficult rehabilitation had improved his amount of hand and ami mobility by about 45 percent. After trying the saw, he realized that he would be able to use it.

Don met Joan at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, where she also worked. They became friends, and in 1995 loan and Don were married in the hospital's chapel. It didn't take long for Joan to begin using the scroll saw. She may not have as much cutting experience as Don, but she is full of ideas and enthusiasm.. Joan freely admits that those ideas occasionally bccome "designer firewood." Joan, who has always enjoyed crafts, says "The scroll saw is a tool that enables us to express the creativity within us."

Don's scroll sawing has come full circle. Started for fun, it soon became a source of extra income. Many hanks, carousels, and signature name plates were made and sold, both at bazaars and by word of mouth. But sincc retiring seven years ago, there is less and less scrolling "for sale" and more and more again "just for fun." Nowadays, gifts for family and friends use up most of the Lamberts available shop time.

With three kids at home, tunc on the scroll saw is not hi abundant supply. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, basketball, dance and ice skating lessons, along with family fishing trips keep Joan and Don on the go. Taylor and Misty, both 11, are beginning to do some woodworking, lleather, 9, is at this point interested in drawing, painting and "Barbies." The whole Lambert family is looking forward to the final-ization of Misty and Heather's adoption.

Just this past summer, Don and Joan upgraded their saw to the 26" RBI Hawk. Don has made himself some small jigs to fit his special needs. But where his 16" saw had to have a table made to accommodate his chair, RBI now has a stand available specifically designed for this purpose. Don also appreciates the front tension release, as it really enables him to use the longer saw.

I I was a privilege to spend some, time with these two couples. As we spoke, I realized that we were not talking about overcoming disabilities, we were not speaking of handicaps. This wasn't even about the scroll saw. It was about attitude the attitude of four remarkable people, two couples, saying this is who we are. We will take who we are and what we are and find our way through life. The Adenaus and the Lamberts have indeed found their way. jj