Nancy Trujillo, formerly of Fremont County

Interviewee: Nancy Trujillo
Interviewer: Kate Scott
Date of Interview: 1/15/08
Run Time: Approximately 60M

Cassette
Biographical Data Form
Oral History Release
Photographs (3 Copies)
Personal Letters (Copies)
Transcript

Nancy Trujillo was born in the Shenandoah Hospital in 1939. Her parents were farmers; they raised hogs, cattle, chickens, soybeans, and corn. Nancy was admitted to the hospital for a serious head infection and treated with radiation and antibiotics when she was very young. Then, at the age of six, she had her tonsils removed. “It was one of those routine things,” said Nancy, “but, I had a hard time getting well again. I believe the doctor later on told my mother that he always felt that my resistance was down from just having had tonsils taken out.” In 1946, Nancy came down with polio. After the diagnosis, she was rushed to Douglas County Hospital in Omaha. “It was just that nobody knew what to do. Everyone was very frantic. There were lots of kids and the hospital staff just took everything away from you and covered you up. When I got to the hospital they put a sheet over me and covered me up because they thought I was contagious.” Like many other survivors, Nancy noted that it was during her time in Douglas County Hospital that she developed her love for books. “We had school there in the hospital and I became an avid reader. I loved to read and enjoyed school. That is a pleasant memory for me.” A less pleasant memory for Nancy was her rehabilitation experience at the Hattie B. Munroe Home for children with disabilities in Omaha. “There was an older lady who ran the home – she seemed very stern and rigid. There certainly were no hugs and kisses.”

She graduated from Farragut High School in 1957 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. Today, Nancy is retired from teaching. She and her husband live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. There are times when Nancy would love to know what it feels like to run and ski. But, she is grateful to her three boys who have encouraged her to experience the adventures of the outdoors. “I have wonderful family and friends who have been with me through it all,” Nancy reflected, “I feel very fortunate.”