Her Pearls of Wisdom

Some people are natural born teachers. Take Loia Feuchter, for instance. Feuchter of Fullerton taught elementary school for 23 years while battling multiple sclerosis. She went from using a cane to an electric scooter to a wheelchair.

She’s still teaching today. But MS awareness, instead of the ABCs, is her subject.

Feuchter, 51, has won a $7,000 Champions of Courage award funded by drug manufacturer Berlex Laboratories and will use the grant to conduct MS Knit-Ins on April 1 and 2, and June 24 in Brea.

About 70 knitters from throughout Southern California will attend the workshop. They will receive yarn and patterns to make caps for premature babies, baby sweaters and mariner’s scarves to be donated to charity as well as clothes for teddy bears that police and fire departments distribute. The group will also hear speakers talk about MS.

Feuchter, a knitter since age 5, founded a knitting guild in 1995. “I just want people to know why I’m in this wheelchair and that I have been able to do an awful lot [despite MS],” Feuchter said.

Eric Simons, chairman of the BCC board, said the board hopes her story will inspire others with MS.

* To be considered for this column, please send information on the Orange County person being honored along with a photograph to Lynn O’Dell, the Los Angeles Times, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. (714) 283-5685.