- Date Of Birth: September 12, 1942
- Date Of Death: July 2, 2018
- State: Florida
Olga Ina Heyman was born with Cerebral Palsy on Saturday, September 12, 1942, the only child born to parents Abraham and Helen Heyman of 137 Grumman Avenue, Newark, New Jersey. Sometime during the 1950’s, her parents relocated to Holly Hill, Florida and resided at 1655 Ridge Avenue.
During the early 1960’s, Olga graduated with honors from the Seabreeze Private School in Daytona Beach, Florida. She later attended Daytona Beach Junior College prior to being accepted at Stetson University-Deland, Florida. Olga refused to allow her palsied disability to deter her from pursuing her ambitions and quest for independence and to be accepted and treated as any normal person.
On Sunday, May 29, 1966, Olga received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Journalism from the Branch Campus of Stetson University in Deland, Florida. The Graduation Ceremony was held at the First Baptist Church in Deland, Florida at 2:30 PM. A Graduation Reception was held in Olga’s honor at the Temple Beth El located at 507 5th Avenue in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Friday night, June 3, 1966.
In 1967, Olga served as corresponding secretary for the Volusia-Flagler Association for Retarded Children in Daytona Beach. That same year, she was employed at the Happy Corner School for Retarded Children in Daytona Beach as an assistant Speech Instructor.
On July 16, 1967, Olga Heyman received an “Honorary Citizenship Award” in addition to the official “City of Daytona Beach Gold Key.” They were presented to her by Honorable Mayor J. Owen Eubank. Other honors soon followed. On July 26, 1967, Olga was selected as one of ten Americans with Cerebral Palsy to travel to Stockholm, Sweden for a three week seminar and workshop beginning July 30th, regarding Cerebral Palsy and Mental Retardation related issues. The trip was sponsored by the Swedish National Association for Cerebral Palsied Children in Stockholm, Sweden. Upon returning from her trip to Sweden in mid-August, she was asked by a member of the Cerebral Palsy Association about any difficulties she encountered related to flying. Olga responded, “Flying is easier than catching a local bus.”
In 1971, Ms. Heyman was promoted to the position of lead teacher for the Pathway School for Adults in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Some during the early to mid-70’s, Olga relocated to Tallahassee, Florida. While here she practiced her Jewish faith by uniting with the Temple Israel Synagogue (Reform) under the leadership of Rabbi Stanley J. Garfein. She was a dedicated and faithful member until health issues prevailed some years later.
It was also during this period that Olga found employment with Goodwill Industries. While employed at Goodwill, she met a gentleman that captured her eye and who would later become her husband.
On the evening of Saturday, October 1, 1977, Olga Ina Heyman was joined in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Reese Ted Green at Temple Israel, Tallahassee, Florida at 8:00 PM. The wedding ceremony was officiated by Rabbi Stanley J. Garfein. They remained happily married for seven years up until Mr. Green’s untimely death in 1984.
In 1977, Mrs. Green was employed by the State of Florida’s Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. She was employed as a Staff Trainer for the department. Olga conducted staff training and workshops all over the State of Florida while driving herself in her own specialized handicap van. She also facilitated staff trainings at the old Sunland Hospital here in Tallahassee.
On January 30, 1986, Olga became a homeowner. Through her contractor, the home at 2780 Red Maple Ridge (Blairstone Forest neighborhood) was built to her specifications with conveniences that catered to her physical needs.
Olga worked tirelessly for the department for 23 years prior to her retirement from public service in 2000 at the age of 58 due to health reasons.
