Raptors; Research 1.b
Character Development
1
Rita Jo Harrison is a striking embodiment of northern Californian beauty. With her classic features, including chestnut hair and warm brown eyes, she presents an image of grace complemented by a slim, athletic build. Raised in the vibrant cultural atmosphere of San Francisco by her renowned mother, makeup artist Patricia Trudeau, Rita developed an early appreciation for the arts. Her academic pursuits led her to earn a Master’s in Fine Arts and a Bachelor’s in Art History, positioning her as a knowledgeable yet introspective creator.
Presently, Rita finds herself in Redding, CA, where she works as a secretary for a small construction company. This role serves not only as a means of financial support but also as a critical opportunity to engage with the outside world, especially as she navigates the challenges of being wheelchair-bound since a life-altering accident in the winter of 1992. A drunk driver had hurled her off a snowy road, flipping her car into a ditch and altering the course of her life forever.
Despite the circumstances, Rita’s artistic spirit has resulted in a body of work that reflects her unique perspective, a talent nurtured by a dedicated art teacher during her college years. This creativity led to a brief un-publicized marriage to George Harrison, yes, THE George Harrison of The Beatles fame. While the marriage was annulled by his agent, it had provided Rita with a substantial inheritance, which brings her a monthly cash infusion—a reminder of a life that once intersected with fame.
In a twist of fate, Rita’s personal life took another turn as she married Brian Williamson, the son of a local oil and gas magnate. That union was marred by arrogance and infidelity, particularly when she discovered his affair with Monique Thong, a personal assistant significantly younger than him. Their five-year marriage ultimately unraveled, prompting Rita to reassess her choices and embrace her identity anew, both as an artist and a survivor, determined to carve out her own narrative amid the complexities of life.
As she continues to navigate this new chapter, Rita Jo Harrison remains a testament to resilience, creativity, and the search for balance in the midst of life’s unpredictability.
2
Adrienne Vail was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, with cerebral palsy, but she never allowed this to dictate her path. From the age of five, she became a force in the fashion world, modeling clothes and appearing in commercials, crutches in tow. Her formative years were defined by an unwavering determination to participate in every able-bodied children's activity, and when obstacles arose, she fiercely advocated for the modifications needed to make her involvement possible.
Pursuing a degree in Communications and Social Justice, Adrienne channeled her passion for inclusivity into a thriving partnership with her wife, Claire Eisele, a devoted Civil Rights Attorney. Together, they emerged as formidable disability advocates, cultivating a large online community of supporters rallying behind their organization dedicated to promoting accessibility for all.
Growing up alongside her cousin April, who was the same age and almost like a sister, Adrienne encountered the complexities of familial relationships. April embodied the challenging dynamic of a well-meant yet toxic family member, grappling with her own internalized biases, including misogyny and ableism, often veiling her ignorance with misguided intentions. As their paths converged again, the tension between Adrienne’s advocacy and April’s willful ignorance was bound to reach a breaking point, revealing the depths of Adrienne’s resilience in the face of familial pushback.
In this evolving narrative, Adrienne’s journey highlights the ongoing struggle for acceptance and the tumultuous dynamics that can arise within families, especially when societal perceptions clash with personal realities. With every challenge she faces, Adrienne continues to illuminate the path toward understanding, paving the way for both herself and others navigating the complexities of disability and acceptance.
3
Amber Castro was born in Orange County, Florida, to immigrant parents. Orphaned and diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of twelve, she faced significant challenges. However, her passion for the water remained unyielding. By the age of thirteen, she struggled to hold onto the leash needed for water skiing, and at fourteen, she could barely grip her bodyboard. Despite these obstacles, Amber found solace and skill on a surfboard, competing in surfing competitions until she was seventeen, when she finally lost the ability to stay on her board.
Transitioning from surfing to skin diving, Amber embraced the ocean’s allure and became a diving guide. This new chapter was driven by her love for the water, but her academic pursuits also flourished. In college, she aspired to join the swim team, but her condition necessitated a shift in focus, opting to swim merely for exercise. She turned her attention to Behavioral Health and Physical Therapy, believing firmly in the correlation between physical wellness and mental health.
It was post-graduation that destiny took a fortuitous turn when Amber encountered Jake Momoa, a striking Samoan who would become her husband. Their connection blossomed as she sought a freediving instructor skilled at working with students who had MS. Though their romance was swift, culminating in a quick elopement, joy turned to heartache less than a year later. During a dive with his brothers back home in Maui, Jake was lost to a powerful deep-water rip current. Despite extensive search efforts over several months, his body remained elusive.
The anguish was palpable when the call finally came that his remains were found on a distant shore, thirty miles from where he was lost. Five long months had passed, leaving Amber to navigate her grief and loss alone.
Channeling her heartbreak into purpose, Amber now runs a surf camp for children with disabilities in Jake's honor, fostering inclusivity and resilience in the ocean’s embrace. Additionally, she serves as a docent at the local aquarium, sharing her passion for marine life and inspiring others with her journey of strength and dedication.
4
Irene Lopez always knew she was different. From an early age, she recognized her attraction to girls over boys and her preference for pants instead of dresses. While her mother envisioned her as a delicate princess, Irene was determined to embrace everything that was contrary to that fantasy. As soon as she was able, she enlisted in the Army, leaving behind not only Texas but also the constraints of her mother’s dreams for her.
Irene vowed to return home after each tour, but time and again she found herself re-enlisting, drawn to the purpose and camaraderie she found in service. Despite her mother's awareness of her sexuality, acceptance was a bridge that was never crossed, leading to an ongoing rift in their relationship. This tension took its toll on Irene; her romantic relationships often faltered under the weight of familial expectations and personal doubts.
In 1991, during Desert Storm, her life changed irrevocably. An explosion in Iraq launched her from her HumVee, resulting in the loss of part of her left arm and left leg. Recovering in the hospital ignited a fierce independence within her. Once discharged, she returned to civilian life, but not without profound struggles. The Army—the institution she had devoted herself to—no longer saw a place for her. Being cast aside by the very job for which she had sacrificed so much felt like an additional wound.
When her mother passed away shortly afterward, the emotional burden grew heavier. Irene couldn’t face the house filled with memories of expectations and rejection, so she used her inheritance to purchase land in Texas, far removed from her hometown. On this new piece of earth, she built a small house, pouring her strength and determination into the labor. It became a sanctuary, a space where she could redefine herself away from the shadows of her past.
In her commitment to serving her community, Irene co-founded a Veteran Suicide Hotline and took on the role of managing a Women’s Veteran Talk Therapy Group online. The shared struggles and triumphs in the groups fostered a sense of belonging, a critical piece that had long been absent in her life. Additionally, she took matters into her own hands, literally, by developing her own prosthetics, evolving not just her physical self but her entire approach to life.
Through resilience, she discovered the power of healing, both for herself and for others. Now, she embraces her new identity with pride, advocating fiercely for veterans and redefining the boundaries of what it means to be whole.
5
Phoebe Harrington was born in Boston, Massachusetts, but her family relocated to Maryland when she was in the third grade. From a young age, Phoebe immersed herself in dance, exploring different styles such as tap, ballet, and jazz. She enjoyed competitive dancing until high school, when she shifted her focus to gymnastics and cheerleading. Her dedication paid off, earning her a full college scholarship for cheerleading.
While in college, Phoebe pursued pre-med classes. However, her scholarship was cut short due to the mismanagement of funds by the financial institution overseeing the awards, prompting her to get certified as a nurse. Following her graduation, she embarked on a career as a traveling nurse, flying to remote areas to provide care and administer immunizations to patients in need.
Phoebe's partner, Dr. Fritz Anderssen, was a pilot who navigated every flight they took together. It was during one of these journeys that she contracted the viral infection that led to her diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Not long after her diagnosis, the esteemed Dr. Anderssen left her to serve with Doctors Without Borders, where he tragically succumbed to malaria.
Though she no longer dances, Phoebe remains committed to helping others. She now flies locally to treat patients and coordinates efforts with celebrities for the Maryland Make-A-Wish Foundation.
