http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_736_A_Gift_Of_Hands.mp3 Julie Mullin's passion was intricate sewing - then she lost the use of her hands. She found friendship, and business help, from an immigrant named Jum. Also: Love in New Orleans. Plone 2.0 http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_736_A_Gift_Of_Hands.mp3/logo.jpg http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_736_A_Gift_Of_Hands.mp3 <h4>A Gift of Hands<br /></h4><p class="imageleft"><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/8af2cbc7f08bec8cdac852c4251093ed" alt="Julie-Mullin.jpg" />Julie Mullin</p><p>Julie Mullin says her business selling organic, fair trade fiber products is doing quite well in this economic climate. But she couldn't do it without the unusual partnership she's formed with a Montagnard woman named Jum.</p><p>Julie once had a successful quilting business. Then severe arthritis stole her ability to use her hands. Jum had just come to the United States from the remote central highlands of Vietnam. She didn’t speak English, she had never had running water or electricity, and she certainly didn’t know how to run a sewing machine. But Julie needed hands, and Jum needed a job. <br /></p><p class="imageleft"><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/1a23f35201e058eaf783a149ebc55a54" alt="Jum.jpg" />Jum</p><p>Now, despite the language barrier and the faltering economy, the two women have learned to work together seamlessly, and Julie says her business is booming.</p><ul><li><a title="Jum and family and two UN workers" href="resolveuid/eb2a2755b153b489a1204ea04a68b5b6" target="_self">See a picture </a>of Jum and her family in Vietnam<br /></li></ul><ul><li>Learn more about <a href="http://www.fiberactivequilts.com/" target="_self">Fiberactive Organics</a></li></ul><h4><a class="addbtn" href="http://www.publicradio.org/applications/formbuilder/user/form_display.php?form_code=608cc948ba9b" target="_self">Contact Us</a><br /></h4><p></p><h4>New Orleans Love Story<br /></h4><p class="imageleft"><img class="image-left" src="resolveuid/ad2589aac73efc4ec1e71f8893d2ddd8" alt="Darryl and Sharon headshot" height="100" width="100" />Darryl and Sharon - <a title="Darryl and Sharon now" href="resolveuid/433c24d73a6b44cb75fa1c17eea376c9" target="_self">larger &gt;&gt;</a></p><p>Today - a love story. Darryl Hammill's family runs the Endymion Krewe. Each year they make a huge float for Mardi Gras—and they also have huge parties.</p><p>Darryl's date canceled on the eve of the biggest party of the season, the Coronation Ball. Darryl turned to his sister for help finding a date. The only problem was that his sister had always referred to her brother as "my weird brother" when discussing him with her friends.</p><p>The woman Darryl would meet the night of the Coronation Ball became the love of his life, and their marriage is still going strong 25 years later.</p><ul><li>See a <a title="Darryl and Sharon then" href="resolveuid/4f292c3a8592e61daa4cf97b097fcc75" target="_self">photo of Darryl and Sharon when they met at Mardi Gras</a></li></ul><br /><p></p><h4><a class="addbtn" href="http://www.publicradio.org/applications/formbuilder/user/form_display.php?form_code=608cc948ba9b" target="_self">Contact Us</a></h4> Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:00:00