Lisa's incredible story of recovery and gratitude will leave yOO inspired and feeling better.
HER JOY
Lisa Black is a pediatric teacher at the UVA Children’s Hospital in Charlottesville, VA. She’s a mom, wife, friend, and so much more - including a runner. She’s been hitting the pavement for years and enjoying the freedom and exercise of a good run. She loves to cheer on the UVA football team and visit the outer banks of North Carolina with her family. In October 2014, Lisa was hit head-on by a drunk driver. It’s a miracle she survived, and even more a marvel what she has accomplished since.
CAN'T STOP, WON'T STOP mOOving
She refused to let the accident slow her down. Less than a year later, she walked her first 5k race post-surgery - a MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) event. And just this past May, Lisa ran her fastest 10k race time ever. The accident created the spark of a raging fire of support and fundraising for MADD, with which she is now deeply involved. Even if her involvement came from scary circumstances, her recovery brought her much more than healing.
Finding OOfoam
Lisa first discovered OOFOS as a recovery shoe for after her running. She visited Sound Feet Shoes in the outer banks of North Carolina. But it was recovery from her accident that brought her story of resilience, triumph and gratitude to us.
In February 2020, while standing in her kitchen cooking dinner for her family, Lisa decided to email OOFOS. “I want the person who created OOFOS to know that without your shoes, I would not be able to walk or stand for long periods of time in my own house. In 2014 I was hit head on by a drunk driver as I was heading home from work. I was a runner before the crash. I have now had 9 surgeries on my legs alone. I discovered OOFOS last summer when I had exhausted all other shoes and was having difficulty walking and standing. I have purchased 5 pairs of OOFOS over the last year. Without my OOFOS, I am unable to stand for long periods of time or even walk at my house. I am so thankful I can still run (though not fast and no farther than 5 miles) but the pain I feel after the run is indescribable as it is so severe. I told my husband last night, if I didn't have these shoes, I would not be standing. THANK YOU WITH ALL MY HEART FOR MAKING MY LIFE BEARABLE AGAIN!!!! I honestly don't know where I would be without my OOFOS!!!!”
Lisa’s email was a source of validation for a company whose mission is “to make yOO feel better.” It served as a reminder of the purpose behind our foundation and the impact we were making in the world.
When we connected with Lisa to thank her for her email and let her know what it meant to us, we were met with gratitude on the other end of the phone - gratitude not just for OOFOS, but for the small things in life we often take for granted. Lisa now celebrates the littlest moments in life that many of us don’t recognize - like the air she breathes, the steps and mOOvements she makes each day, and the time teaching at a patient’s bedside or cooking for her family in her kitchen. “OOFOS are great recovery for running and that’s how I found them, but that’s not why I fell in love with them. I fell in love with them as a part of my everyday life. I wouldn’t be able to stand in the kitchen and cook dinner for my family if it weren’t for OOFOS.”
Living OOsoul
We partnered with Lisa to provide OOFOS to the hospital trauma unit that patched her back together and the physical therapy team that walked her through her recovery. Now as these groups of people work daily to help others feel better, Lisa and OOFOS are part of their support team.
When we spoke to Lisa initially, she told us that her strength throughout it all came from God, her family and the patients she used to teach on the floor above her that would now come down and give their support to her. After all, they both had “tubies”. Recognizing the impact Lisa makes on so many people in her community, we also partnered with her to support all of the pediatric educators in her hospital as they work daily to make a difference.
mOOving in Gratitude
Lisa’s perspective on life can be summarized in a single statement that she made on our first call. “Sometimes, I believe that things happen to us in life so we can help others.”
 |
 |
