DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / October 18, 2000

RESERVE – Paulette Trosclair Remondet was quite the ambitious young lady.

A graduate of beauty school before high school, Remondet was high school student half of the day and a hair dresser for the rest. The second child ofRene and Laura Trosclair, Remondet was so eager to start her life that she was the only one born in Garyville, too much in a hurry to make to the hospital in New Orleans.

On June 3, 1972, two years after graduation, Remondet married her high school sweetheart, Timothy Remondet. Three days later, after theirhoneymoon in Florida, the couple collided, in Mississippi, with an 18-wheeler making a U-turn. Timothy was thrown through the window, while Paulette waspinned inside the vehicle.

“I don’t remember the accident. I only know what people told me happened,”said Remondet. The crash left her a quadriplegic.”I remember waking up, not knowing what happened, but knowing I was paralyzed,” said Remondet.

After three months in a hospital in New Orleans, Remondet was transferred to a physical rehabilitation center in Houston. After another two monthsthere she finally returned home to a small apartment in Reserve. Paralyzedand told she would never have children, Remondet continued on through the support of her family. Alongside her husband was her mother.”She had so much faith she never gave up. She knew I’d never walk, but shenever gave up and was always there for me,” said Remondet. Her father wasalways right there beside her mom, she added.

Despite the doctors opinion she’d never give birth, Remondet had two children, Rusty, now 26, and Amanda, 24. Rusty is married to Ashley Simonand they have two children, Amber and Jared. Amanda, after traveling toNew York, then to college in Lafayette, then back to New York, joined the U.S.Army and is finishing college.

Remondet was divorced after 13 years of marriage. Both her parentseventually passed on, but being one of the older sisters of 14 Trosclairs, she’s had plenty of support. Though paralyzed, Remondet fought on to regainpartial use of her arms and hands. Now she can do much around the housethough still in a wheel chair. Her family gathers once every other week tomeet at her house and help out, as well as her sisters coming by often to check in on her.

After the divorce “I always supported myself the hard way” through child support and disability. Along with her family’s help, three nurses shareRemondet’s life by coming in to lend a hand. Betty Jackson, Victoria Flemingand Diane Williams provide care seven days a week for five hours.

Her only real difficulty over the last few years is getting around town. Afteran accident wrecked her old van, Remondet relied on her sisters to drive her around. Manually putting her in the car has become more difficult over theyears. Also with her sisters working, Remondet doesn’t get out as much asshe would like.

“I haven’t been to a movie in years,” said Remondet. Going into stores,grocery shopping, just looking around, are activities Remondet wishes she could partake in.

That’s where Harold Keller, and Danny and Sue Louque come in.

The Third Annual Quality Machine Works Tournament is coming up Oct. 23 atPelican Point in Gonzales. The Louques, who own Quality Machine Works,sponsor the yearly golf tournament to raise money for the Get High On Life organization, which Keller is affiliated with.

Keller, good friends with Remondet, knew of her need for a new van and wheel chair lift.

“Harold would always say ‘pray, God will provide,'” said Remondet. She wouldpray and Keller would continue to ask if she got the van yet. With the answerno, Keller would always remind her that God will provide, said Remondet.

Finally Keller talked to the Louques and asked if the money raised for his organization could be instead donated to Remondet for the new van. TheLouques were thrilled with the idea.

The vehicle normally would cost quite a bit of money, except that Lloyd Guillot Jr., owner of Rainbow Chevrolet in LaPlace, has asked to provide thevan and lift at around $25,000, quite a discount, said Keller.

Now teams are being formed for the tournament. Organizer for thetournament, Renee Waguespack, is collecting sponsors and golfers. For $100one can sponsor a hole or golf in the tournament. Teams cost $400 andcorporate sponsorships are $500.

In the past, the annual tournaments have brought in around $13,000. Kellersaid they’re going to get $25,000, “God will provide.”Already, $7,400 has been collected, said Renee. Yvette Dornier, a long-timefriend of Remondet, has been writing their old classmates to tell them about the tournament. Money from friends, anonymous or known, has been comingin.

One man, who Remondet hasn’t seen in 30 years, sent $250. “They havetouched me more than they’ll ever know,” said Remondet.

Talking to Remondet, one can still see that young ambitious girl behind her sparkling eyes. Though she knows she will never walk again, it doesn’t stopher dreams.

“When I dream I’m walking or dancing and I wonder why, because I know I’m paralyzed. I’ve never dreamed I was in a wheelchair,” said Remondet.That spirit of never giving up, be it in life or in her mind, has kept Remondet a beautiful example courage and strength. It’s no wonder people who knowher are awed by her attitude.

“One person I’ve envied for many years is Paulette Trosclair Remondet. Thething I envy is her attitude toward life. She’s always smiling, pleasant andpositive,” said Keller.

To help Remondet purchase her van and chair-lift, call Waguespack at Quality Machine Works in Grand Point at (225) 869-9809. Donations can be made outto the Paulette Remondet Fund and mailed to Get High On Life Inc. at P.O.drawer U, Reserve, LA. 70084.

Back to Top

Back to Leisure Headlines

Copyright © #Thisyear# Wick Communications, Inc.Best viewed with 4.0 or higher