Lying in her bed, Antoinette Butler clutched a stack of let­ters in her lap, evidence of her fighting spirit. Though she is bedbound, Antoinette refuses to give up her ministry work. When stamps and stationary abound, she writes and mails letters of encouragement to strangers in need.

"If I focused all my attention on me, I would just be having pity parties all the time, and I would never get out of this bed," she said. "So I focus on my husband and grandchildren and my ministry work. It lets me know that there is another way."

Recently, Antoinette and her family were chosen to be one of the Austin-American Statesman's Season for Caring fami­lies. The Statesman is once again helping a MOWAM client have a better holiday season.

For the past 30 years, Antoinette has lived with an astrocy­toma, a tumor on top of her spinal cord that has repeatedly impaired her mobility. Each time the illness strikes, Antoi­nette must go through intense physical therapy to regain her faculties. She has relearned to walk six times as an adult. She is currently trying for a seventh.

In times of better health, Antoinette has worked as a coun­selor to low-income residents of San Francisco looking to start their own businesses and as a teacher. A lifelong activ­ist, she is passionate about helping others. Despite the fact that she rarely leaves her bedroom, she talks determinedly about getting better so she can assist others in realizing their potential.

"I have things I want to do," she said. "I just need to get moving so I can reach out to people who have fallen into a downward spiral and help them."

In 2000, shortly after one of her sons was shot and killed on a San Francisco street, Antoinette decided to make a clean break from her rough neighborhood. On faith, she moved to Austin with her daughter and just $500, staying with friends from church until she could afford an apartment. Later, her husband Stuart joined her in Texas, and they settled into a home. Last summer, the couple took in two of their grand­children, who are 10 and 6 years old.

Both Antoinette and her husband are hard workers, but An­toinette's illness has created many setbacks for the Butler's. Because she is unable to move anything below her neck, Stuart must help Antoinette with even the simple things many people take for granted, like rolling over.

"He is a very strong man. He does everything that needs to be done," Antoinette said, sparking up with pride at the mention of Stuart, her childhood sweetheart. "He doesn't get to bed until 3 or 4 o'clock in the morning. He is so dedi­cated."

Though the Butler's own their home, it is sparsely furnished, and all four members of the household sleep in the master bedroom. And though Stuart works, the couple struggles to pay off medical and utility expenses. Sometimes, Antoinette admits, she is overwhelmed to tears by the weight of the family's bills. "The first priority is to keep a roof over our head and food on the table," she said.

Through her faith, Antoinette stays strong, and she says she hopes to be walking again soon.

"I am setting a goal to get strong again," she said, as her grandson settled onto the floor in the adjacent room to do his homework. "Life is tough, and there are ups and downs in all of our lives. But if we just maintain focus on God, he's the one who helps us get through things. I believe if you take the focus off yourself and be a helping hand to others then it will come back to you ... you really do reap what you sow."

The Butlers are in need of the following: carpet cleaning, new stove, computer repair, microwave, a 4-door vehicle, 2 twin beds with bedding, dishes, respite care, lift recliner, kitchen appliances, funds to assist with bills, small backyard deck, help redecorating some rooms, garbage disposal repair, and a real Christmas tree with decorations.

If you would like to help, please contact Linda Perez 628-8116 or 233-9644.  

Statesman's coverage.