Reporter’s Note: When I met Bettie Jernigan, with an “ie” not “y,” I already knew from the unique spelling of her name that she was a special individual. Jernigan has traveled a winding road and for the past 25 years; she has done most of that traveling from a wheelchair. Nevertheless, Jernigan has found a way to remain a phenomenal woman.

Before I began working on this story I was told to make it more about Bettie’s accomplishments and less about her setbacks. But I already know for myself that people with disabilities are some of the strongest people you will ever meet; they’ve learned how to adapt to their conditions and become stronger in other areas. Jernigan is independent beyond measure and navigates into Lake Park and does all of her own shopping with Victoria riding on the back of her wheelchair. They appreciate help but do not depend on it. So, my emotion towards

Jernigan was anything but pity, maybe envy instead.

Most people need a will to make a way, but Bettie Jernigan only needs a wheel to make her way.

VALDOSTA — When one enters the home of Bettie Jernigan, there is the welcoming presence of a huge family portrait of her dad and his children along with collections of dolls like Betty Boop (which Jernigan was often called by friends), Scarlet O’Hara and Barbies in addition to an array of seashells and Stephen King books. Her companion, Calico, is the door-greeter, whom I was fortunate enough to be liked by.

Jernigan’s education consists of her GED and the completion of a home-study accounting course in 1992. Jernigan has not always been confined to her wheelchair and has worked as a cashier, waitress, and in lock-making and sewing factories. Jernigan enjoys crocheting and sewing. She also reads and is fond of the works of Stephen King.

“But I don’t like his (King’s) language sometimes,” laughs Jernigan. “I’ve learned how to read pass the words or substitute other words and still get what the story is about.”

Jernigan has resided in the Lowndes County area since 1990, and has been a resident of Lake Park since 2001. Originally from Mississippi, Jernigan is the daughter of Charlie and Mary Reed, sister of Rita Jones, niece of Deloris Rodgers, and grandmother of Victoria White. These are the family members who Jernigan keeps in close contact with and has the strongest family ties to, especially Victoria, whom she has had since the girl was only 2 years old. Now at the age of 7, it’s easy to determine that Victoria is a major part of Jernigan’s life, providing her with great joy and purpose through any depression she faces.

The depression that Jernigan confronts at times comes from a condition that she was diagnosed with in 1983 known as transverse myelitis, which causes nerve damage on the spine. According to doctors the condition is caused by a virus, although Jernigan has her own conclusions.

Jernigan’s condition began with a numbness in her hips as she prepared to go to work one evening. One week in July of 1983, Jernigan went to the doctor three times until they admitted her to the hospital. One morning, Jernigan rose from her hospital bed preparing to go to the restroom and her legs just “went out.”

“I fell back across my bed, my legs just didn’t work. It was a very scary and confusing feeling,” said Jernigan.

Jernigan spent the next two months in the hospital where physical therapy was used to get her stable enough to use a walker. Then she even got well enough to use a quad-cane. Always a determined and independent woman, Jernigan returned to work against her doctor’s recommendations.

“I just assumed that if this came on all of a sudden, then it would go away just as easy,” said Jernigan. But things did not improve and by 1995, Jernigan had become permanently confined to her wheelchair. Doctors then blamed her misfortune on a nervous breakdown, which could have been possible with a runaway son, an alcoholic husband and other issues, but Jernigan knew better. Currently, she takes medication for depression but not for nerve problems.

Since becoming confined to her wheelchair, Jernigan has gained a different perspective as to the way disabled persons are treating by society along with several scary incidents. “I didn’t realize until I became handicap how much we ignore the handicap. And one of the things that I would like to see changed in the world is that there would be more concern, help, and awareness for the handicap. People seem so unconcerned about the handicap, this is not chosen,” said Jernigan.