St. Louis Business Journal

Andy Wrote A Play
Mark Vittert
St. Louis Business Journal
March 14, 2003

I believe we have an extraordinary person living among us.

Presently, he is living at the Edwardsville campus of the Southern Illinois University... he is a junior there in good standing. He has a double major — theater and political science. And Andy has just written a play.

Well, going to college, carrying a double major and writing a play — sounds like a rather full exercise of one's time and abilities.

In this case, that is true, particularly when one realizes that Andy has to ask for help to simply accomplish life's most rudimentary and basic activities.

Andy cannot get out of bed on his own — cannot walk a step — throw a ball nor even use a knife and folk.

Clearly, Andy is quite seriously disabled. He has worked hard; very, very hard to just, at age 21, be in college.

I've known Andy since he was a small boy. Then, as a result of cerebral palsy, he could only speak haltingly, and he was seemingly completely captive within the confines of his electric wheelchair.

But even then, Andy appeared to have some unusual qualities; he was curious, and when engaged, there was this sparkle in his eyes, and he was irreverent without crossing the line into disrespect. He seemed so bright, but then, I thought, he is totally imprisoned in his condition and that chair — tough, tough break for any kid, and such a nice kid.

Well, after endless hours of physical therapy and some voice therapy (it was advised that he would never be able to speak), Andy is able to cruise around ably and communicate well. So well in fact, that when sitting and speaking with him, one totally forgets his "situation."

So, Andy wrote a play.

It is called "The Secret Thunder Box Society." And several weeks ago, some actors took to the stage of the Hot House Theatre and "read" the play.

It was really something. The words, the thoughts, the concepts were terrific, and powerful.

I was there 'till intermission, and heard some folks refer to Andy's brilliance. There Andy was, sitting up in his chair, watching and listening intently, and then along with everyone else, laughing.

After many, many years of outright struggle; from the frustration and pain, and the anguish that only someone like Andy could know. This was a great moment.

This play, and all that was happening around him, was sort of miraculous... this was simply a wonderful triumph of one's spirit and courage.

Andrew Lackey's voice is now strong — it reminds me of Tom Brokaw's — it really does. His abilities and energies are strong. And his ideas and insights are way beyond his years — he has had a lot of time to think things over.

Andrew Lackey is a young fellow who is "going places;" no, not in the conventional way. Andy has such a long and interesting road ahead.

He is one of our best... and it will all be quite well-worth watching.

© 2003 American City Business Journals Inc.