WHEN YOU REMEMBER

Annette Funicello passed on at the age of 70 after a lengthy battle with MS. It's fair to say that Annette Funicello was an American icon that stood for an era that was transitional from black and white perfection to societal uproar. I want to write about this because by the time I discovered America's mousketeer she was already fighting MS at the  age of 49. I remember watching Back to the Beach and becoming interested in that 60's era of beach films that signaled the end of real innocence in America.

I did not know the entire "magical" story of Disney's original TV stars partly because there were so many of them. Annette seemed to be that one big name that transcended the mouse ears and moved on to more grown up but very clean entertainment. I thought the movies were bland but then again I grew up during a period when films such as Robocop, Predator, and Terminator were the order of the day.

I caught the story of a person that was fighting for her life and putting a face to an powerful disease. Annette was that star that gained a new following by virtue of her courage in a losing battle as opposed to her actual body of work. What I saw in her was a sweet woman that was dealt a harsh blow and yet moved forward gracefully and quietly. Annette walked away from from public life before succumbing to the long term effects of MS.

Annette's last appearance was less than a year ago on a news report about her battle with MS. Annette was unable to move or speak only able to make a few facial moves. Annette's body was hardly mobile and she was no longer the beauty that dazzled the eyes. Annette Funicello was no more but one thing really hit home, her courage.

Annette courageously fought a losing battle in the public eye for well over five years. Annette's battle with MS spanned for over two and a half decades. Maybe Annette was not a star whose work will stand out as masterful and whose image as a clean cut star may well be her legacy but it was that lengthy battle that will keep her alive as an example of dignity and courage.

I'll never know about the 1950's mega child star, teen movie queen, pop star, and icon. I will always remember the Disney lady that put up one hell of a fight for almost three decades.