Beloved CoSA Administrator Fighting ALS

By Margaret Wright

In the middle 1990s, the Coronado Unified School District agreed to support a group of teachers, under the leadership of Kris McClung, in their quest for developing a quality program that someday would provide elementary through high school students with the opportunity to develop their passion for the arts. That was step one in a process that is still evolving. It was a plan that required support at all levels, especially at the top. It soon became apparent that to produce the exemplary arts program that would meet the expectations of the CUSD and the community of Coronado, everyone involved must be committed to the ultimate goal. That certainly included the individual in CoSA who would become the assistant to Kris McClung.

 

There could not have been a better choice than Anne Friddle, who became the administrative assistant to Ms. McClung. From the first day, Anne was the go-to person for students, who did not hesitate to seek information and motherly advice from her; the staff, who kept her busy ordering supplies, maintaining pay records, assuring that appointments and schedules were met appropriately and in timely fashion; and parents, answering parental questions and concerns related to the “newness” of the program and the benefits that affected their students.

Unfortunately, all of Anne’s years of dedication to building the administrative structure that made CoSA effective are secondary to the brave fight she is presently waging against a rapidly progressing form of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Anne’s daughter, Megan, has written the following letter to answer the questions many of Anne’s friends have asked.

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Dear Friends,

This spring, my mom, Anne Friddle, was diagnosed with a rapidly progressing form of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease). She has now lost most of the use of her limbs, and she has a great deal of trouble speaking and swallowing. However, ALS does not affect the brain or senses, so she is still very much mentally present and engaged. My mom was always very humble about her work as the office manager and administrative assistant for CoSA.  She often simply listed her occupation as “secretary,” but I know she was much more than that to her colleagues, the CoSA students, and the public she interacted with every day.

Please feel free to send a card to her at home (email me if you need the address), or visit the YouCaring.com site I’ve set up (https://www.youcaring.com/AnneFriddle-ALS-fund) if you’d like to send a message or make a donation to help defray her medical expenses.

With gratitude,

Megan
CoSA/CHS class of 1998

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For more info on Bulbar-onset ALS, you can download a helpful info sheet from ALS Canada.

Submitted by Margaret Wright