MarionMade!
Each week, this series shares MarionMade! Stories of our many wonderful people, places, products and programs in the greater Marion community. To read more stories of Marion’s great people, places, products, and programs, or to share some of your own stories, visit us at marionmade.org or on social media.
Alysse Gafkjen is enjoying an amazing career in professional photography with a focus on portraits and music photography. Her work is featured on album covers, press photos, television and billboards, for example. This River Valley graduate is a shining an example of MarionMade! and the epitome of the creative, entrepreneurial spirit that thrives in the Marion area.
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A defining moment in Elsie Normington’s life came in the early days of her setting up a support group for parents with disabled children.
She said: “I was reading a ‘Thought for Today’ message, which was about when you are going through difficult circumstances you can either be bitter or better.
“I found it very poignant. Being bitter eats you up inside and, as you let go of negative emotions, you become a better person.”
It’s hard to imagine negativity ever winning a battle of wills with someone synonymous with being so relentlessly upbeat and enthusiastic.