Barbara Bessette contracted polio before the life-saving polio vaccine was ever made available to the public. As a result of her condition, she had to rely on an iron lung for breathing and spent the majority of her days confined to her hospital bed. Despite these daunting circumstances, Barbara maintained an extraordinary level of happiness because her mind was firmly planted in what she called the control zone. In her remarkable determination, Barbara skillfully exchanged her intelligence with the hospital staff, who eagerly assisted her by placing essential items within her reach. Books, writing materials, hygiene products, and other necessities were always positioned conveniently close for her to access quickly. Remarkably, she even enrolled in college courses right from her hospital room. Barbara steered conversations and cultivated powerful relationships, attracting wealthy friends and lovers who admired her tenacity. She went as far as to regulate her use of products like toothpaste and lotion; before discarding any container, she carefully cut it open with scissors to extract every last bit of its contents. In addition to her studies and social endeavors, Barbara took the time to tutor others, myself included, sharing her wisdom and insights. She had a remarkable ability to ignore people and situations over which she held no influence or power. Barbara lived to a ripe old age, leaving this world with her mind in complete control and filled with bliss.