Overcoming adversity always makes a good story, but a local woman has overcome both physical and emotional scars, and championing a cause to keep it from continuing.

Gabrielle Ford was diagnosed with a neurological disorder at 12 years old. But dealing with her disability was nothing compared to the bullying that followed.

She was punched, ridiculed; students through things at her, and it happened here at Lake Fenton.

Gabrielle Ford says, "I hadn't been in the building since I graduated, and I didn't ever want to go back."

That's because was 12 years ago she tripped during her graduation ceremony. Humiliated, she hid inside her home for a year.

It was a dog named Izzy that brought her back out of her shell. The dog drove her out of depression and in front of thousands.

Gabe started attending at Lake Fenton Schools in the 8th grade. Many of the students who listened to her speak are the same age. It's a presentation that almost didn't happen. She was fearful of the memories that were still in the building. But Thursday, she conquered those memories.

Her mother, Rhonda Hillman, says "It's healing. It feels very good. I know that next time we drive past Lake Fenton Middle School, which was formerly the high school, that Gabe won't cringe and have bad feelings. She'll have wonderful memories that she was the hero today."

A hero, whose message is hitting home.

Eighth grader Paula Valacek says, "You should be the better person. You shouldn't talk bad about people."

Eighth grader Kristen Cody says, "I think it was really great that she came to our school and did this. I know it was hard for her."

Sixth grader Dakota Holzwarth says, "If you bully someone, then you're going to regret doing that."

Gabe shied away from pep assemblies when she attended Lake Fenton, not wanting to be pointed out. But Thursday, it was her turn, not to do the cheering, but the receiving.

The crowd stood and cheered for Gabe, her message, and her mission.

Gabe used to dodge crowds, now she's attracting them across the country. She once felt like the most unpopular kid in school. But now, she's the one with the most friends.

Prior to her diagnosis, she loved to dance.

Now she's found a better way to do it.

Gabe's book, entitled "Still Dancing" is available at her website. Click the link below to check it out.

by Eric Fish | The Flint Journal

Wednesday June 24, 2009, 8:45 AM

FENTON, Michigan -- Gabrielle Ford hopes when people read her book, "Still Dancing," they'll laugh and be entertained. Above all, she hopes readers will be moved by her life story.

Ford, 29, of Fenton is a nationally recognized public speaker who visits schools around the country speaking about the long-term effects of bullying. Ford knows this from personal experience -- she was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia, a neuromuscular disease, at the age of 12, causing her speech to slur and limiting her mobility.

"Still Dancing" was released this month and covers everything from Ford's life as a child, to experiencing teasing and insults related to her disease in high school, to how she befriended her loyal coonhound companion Izzy and started public speaking.

"I didn't want to do anything related with speaking," Ford said. "Basically anything in public, I kind of shied away from. It was Izzy that brought me out into the public."

Ford was forced to care for Izzy and accompany her to veterinarian appointments when it was discovered that the dog had muscular dystrophy -- a symptom common to Ford's neuromuscular disease. A feature on Animal Planet helped launch Ford's speaking career.

"Many kids have been bullied, and there are many kids that are diagnosed with various diseases, but there's only one Izzy dog," said Rhonda Hillman, Ford's mother. "I think that's what makes Gabe's story so unique. They both had the muscle disease, they both understood each other, they both leaned on each other."

Izzy died at age 9 in May.

In addition to Ford and Izzy's story, the book contains pictures and letters from children. Ford hopes to eventually follow "Still Dancing" by writing children's books on anti-bullying.

Ford will be on hand Saturday at the Fenton Community Center following the Freedom Festival parade to sign copies of "Still Dancing." Copies can also be purchased through her Web site or by calling Hillman and Ford at (810) 373-4043. The book will be available in major book stores in September. Books ordered through the Web site will come autographed by Ford.

          Ben, Izzy's brother, who was known as the yellow boy passed away this morning.

            When Izzy started to get really sick about a month ago, Ben started to get sick around that time. This Saturday he was fine, playing and running around. Sunday evening is when he got really sick.

            I was told he had pneumonia and a collapsed lung. He barely made it through the night but he did. This morning my mom was on the phone with Chris aka Grandma Hooker ... and she told me that Ben had passed away.

            We released a light pink balloon for Izzy and a yellow balloon for Ben. While they were flying away in the air, one of them was higher and far away from the other ... then they got close and it looked like they touched! I believe it was Ben's balloon catching up to Izzy's.

            It reminds me in a way of 'Where the Red Fern Grows' ... which happens to be about  brother and sister coonhounds! Where one sibling dies and the one left misses them so much, they die shortly after.

            I love you "my Benjamin." Take care of my little girl ... I know you are. You are both with your mom & dad running and playing like you did as puppies.

Before Gabe received her dog, she was told by her mom Rhonda, she would have to be responsible for her in every way, since it was Gabe's dog.  When Izzy was about 5 months old she was diagnosed with portal systemic shunt, a life threatening liver disease. Since Gabe was responsible for her care, she had to go to the vet's office and talk with them. This forced Gabe out of her house. After years of being bullied and abused in high school, Gabe resorted to hiding in her house and refrained from going in public. Izzy's illness slowly drew Gabe out of her home. After generous donations from local and distant patrons and veterinarians, Izzy got the help she needed. The vets helping Izzy didn't expect her to live past 1 year. Since she has surpassed that life expectancy, they called her "a miracle."

An article that was written about Izzy and Gabe's fight to help save her caught the attention of Animal Planet, the national television channel.  Their story 'Izzy & Gabe' aired on the segment A Pet Story. It was aired over 68 times within 4 years and became the viewers favorite 'A Pet Story.' A comment made in that show helped launch Gabe into speaking out about bullying all around the nation in school, etc. 3 years after 'A Pet Story' Izzy was diagnosed with a rare form of muscular dystrophy. This diagnosis was very similar to Gabe's childhood diagnoses of Friedreich's ataxia, a rare form of neuromuscular disease. The new diagnosis brought Gabe out into the public once again.

Since then Gabe & Izzy's story has been chronicled in Jerry Lewis's MDA Quest magazine, which the duo is featured on the front cover. They've also been in the AKC's Family Dog and Gazette, the world wide magazines Cosmopolitan and Guidepost, several newspaper articles, television and radio interviews, the Today show which aired in March '08 and is currently viewable at www.gabeandizzy.com. Gabe & Izzy's life story and journey together will be released as a memoir called 'Still Dancing' due out in June.  

Izzy was 9½years old and her muscular dystrophy had progressed beyond manageable help. She was put to rest on Monday May 18^th, 2009.

Izzy has touched hundreds of thousands of lives around the world wither her story and long velvety ears. I want to thank the myriad students for their thoughts and prayers. 

Over the years Gabe and her family acquired 3 more canine family members. Dominic, LindseyBelle and recently Jack Sparrow. The two feline members are Bob and Sweetie. They all have been part of her lively hood.

Izzy's legendary life and her 'No School Bullying/Anti Violence" message will continue to live on and help others.

For more information, please see: Donna Rhine