somewhere back in the 70ish I was diagnosed with cancer of the throat..at that time I had a twenty five percent chance of making it..I'm still here and intend to be here for sometime to come..A young chines doctor at MD Anderson asked me if I believed that the mind could make me sick..my retort was.. sure..Then you also must believe that the same mind can make you well..Believe and all will be well.

Adam and family
I think I speak for the people on this Heart Valve Journal who have followed Lori since before her surgery to the sad day today. We survived our surgeries but we risked what Lori risked and our results were different. Only God knows why these things happen. We are truly saddened to have lost one of our heart "buddies". I pray for comfort in the days to come and at some point please go back to Mt. Bonnell, it's too beautiful to not go and remember. God bless. Prayers from Florida.
Fran

Adam,

My heart goes out to you and your family and to Lori's family, and to all of your friends who love her and will miss her. I did not have the privilege of knowing Lori but I know that she was an inspiration to many people, and they are all praying for you in this time of terrible loss and grief.

God is our strength, our very present help in time of need.

Blessings and peace,
Sheryl Stack

Dear Adam and family,
So many are rocked by the loss of your amazing wife and mother. My heart breaks at the loss of her, and I barely knew her. Clearly her life shone brightly and unyielded. I'm sure that for you, who knew her light best and most intimately, the loss is beyond measure. There are no words for a time like this. I'm so sorry. Your wife and mother is a brilliant woman who touched many, many lives. God bless you. Thank you for sharing her life with us!
Julie Burgess

Thoughts and Prayers to you guys.
Bethany and Shawn Hildebrand SPX c/o '90

I send prayers for you Adam and your beautiful daughters. My GOD watch over you and your family during this sad time in your lives. I read your wifes story from Elizabeth she is a friend of mine. And reading it makes me think about my husband, he complains about his chest hurting, feeling dizzy too. He went and had tests done and they told him it acid reflexs. I will have him read this story too.

sincerely, aurora saldana

Prayers for your family, Adam, and your beautiful girls.

I knew Lori through Down syndrome groups--Inclusion Works (she worked the DSA Central Texas table), and we attended the Affiliates in Action conference together in Washington, D.C., in 2009. We went to the Senate office together to lobby Hutchison.

Lori was a beautiful, energetic, & inspiring woman. The joy of her life was her family.

She will always be remembered by her friends at the Down Syndrome Association of Houston.

Trust that God is good and will carry you. We will continue to lift you up in prayers.

Love,

Ann P. Fontenot and the DSA of Houston

Adam - Lori will remain an inspiration to all who knew her. Right now she is sending you help through her many friends and people who loved her. She will stay in your heart, and you will always stay in hers. Her spirit will go forward in you and the girls, and the hundreds and thousands of people who stood in admiration of her and who will now go out and do something good in her honor. We love you.
-Suzanne Shepherd

broken, broken, broken hearts..We love you Adam..

Sheri and Tim

To the Tullos & Barta Family

My heart goes out to you all. Lori was an individual who touched so many of us at school. Her personality rare and unique, one of a kind. She will be remembered....

Bernadette G. Rivas 91'

Adam, We love you all so much and our prayers continue for your strength and faith in the days ahead. We will keep Lori in our hearts forever and remember all that she gave each one of us. What an incredible person, wife, mother and advocate. We are here for you. Love, Becky, Dale & Wesley Clowers

ADAM
My heart is heavy, and I wish I could be there with you. Even though I had never met Lori, I realized how much happiness she has brought to you. God brought her into your life--she was a dear gift indeed for the precious time that you had together. Be thankful for that gift, even in the midst of your grief. I will be with you and will send you a little book that might be helpful if you get time to read it.

I love you.
Lewis (Dr. B)

I read Lori's story after seeing a post from a friend on Facebook. I do not know your family yet am heartbroken for all of you. May you be lifted up in prayer and comforted with sweet memories. God bless
Janice, Houston TX

My heart goes out to all in Lori's circle of family and friends. She and I were friends from law school. We danced together every year in the musical put on by Assault & Flattery, and we co-choreographed the show our last year. I loved the time that I spent with Lori, and I have wonderful memories of that time. She was such a beautiful person in every way and such a ball of energy. She lived more life in her short time than most people ever do.

Adam, my thoughts are with you and your lovely daughters. I am so sorry for your loss.

Leigh Atkinson

I admired Lori so much in HS! She was such a great person. I was on the drill team with her. I can so vividly remember her laugh!! Through Facebook, I was able to reconnect with her, even if it was just a few comments back and forth. But, I am so thankful for that now!! What an amazing person!! But, honestly, had you asked me 20 yrs ago my opinion of Lori, I'd have said the exact same thing!! We are praying for you in Houston. May God guide you through this time and may He put His arms around your little girls. She will forever be watching over you all!!! God Bless you all!!!! Love, Charlotte Zapalac SPX c/o '90

May you remember All the joy and happiness she has every brought to you.

Jon Golden
P.S. My prayers go out to your family.

THE BARTA'S IN CANADA MISS YOU ALREADY . YOU LEFT US TOO SOON.. WE SAW YOU A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND YOU HAD LOOKED UP YOUR SURGERY ON THE INTERNET AND YOU SAID IT WAS SCARY.. AND YOU LAUGHED.. YOU HAD SUCH A BEAUTIFUL LAUGH.WE HUGGED AND HUGGED..ON THE BEACH AND YOU AND EMMA JADE,BUILT A SAND TOWER AS TALL AS LITTLE SARA KATE, WHO PATTED HER HEAD TO SHOW US HOW TALL IT SHOULD BE AND YOU DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE THE BEACH UNTIL IT WAS FINISHED AS THE WIND WAS BLOWING AND GETTING COOLER ON THAT WASAGA BEACH..WE WERE DOING BBQ'S EVERYNIGHT WITH ALL OUR CANADIAN FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND THE CHILDREN'S COUSINS..WE WERE ALL VERY CLOSE..YOU LEFT LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THE SURGERY OVER WITH AND WANTED TO GET BACK HOME TO YOUR HUBBY AND YOUR "GIRLS" AS SOON AS IT WAS OVER. YOU ALWAYS HELD THE GIRLS VERY CLOSE, CARESSING THEM AND KISSING THEM AND HOLDING THEM CLOSE TO YOUR HEART..YOU ARE VERY SPECIAL AND I CANNOT FORGET YOU LAUGHING AND GIGGLING WHENEVER WE WENT OUT FOR DINNER LIKE A GREAT DATE TO YOUR HUBBY..YOU DANCED WELL,SANG IN TUNE AND NEW EVERY WORD TO "ABBA" AND MANY SONGS, AND SANG TO THE GIRLS OFTEN..AND PLAYED THE PIANO..A TERRIFIC WIFE AND AN ACCOMPLISHED PRES TO THE DOWNSYNDROM SOCIETY. YOU WROTE A MANUAL FOR THE SCHOOLS FOR THE TEACHERS ON HOW TO HANDEL DOWN S. CHILDREN IN A REGULAR CLASS IN A REGULAR SCHOOL..FOR TEXAS. AND TO HOPEFULLY TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN ALL OF THE U.S. SCHOOLS.. YOU WERE A MOTIVATOR AND YOU READ BOOK AFTER BOOK AFTER EVERYONE WENT TO SLEEP , YOU HAD INSATIABLE APETITE AND NEED FOR KNOWLEDGE.. I HAD CALLED YOU WHEN I WAS GETTING MARRIED (AFTER A COURTSHIP OF 16 YEARS) TO ADAM'S DAD AND ASKED WHAT POEM I SHOULD HAVE READ AT MY WEDDING AND YOU EMAILED ME AN ELIZABETH BROWNING POEM, THAT YOU FOUND ON THE INTERNET WHICH MARK, ADAM'S BROTHER READ AT MY WEDDING. THAT WAS 8 YEARS AGO. SO MANY THINGS COME TO MIND. TOO MANY TO CONTINUE WRITING. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND IN OUR HEARTS..LOVE, BUBBIE TO YOUR CHILDREN,MOM IN LAW AND ALWAYS A TRUE FRIEND. ELLIE

I have only met you and Lori once (at the DS conference in May) but thought you were an amazing couple. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers!
Love- Amber Feller

Lori-
Although you will no longer be with us in the body, your memory and spirit will remain. My heart aches for your family and friends, especially your beautiful girls. I take solace in the thought that with you in heaven, we will now have a special angel watching over our children. You were such an inspiration to me and I will never forget your kindness and compassion. May you rest in peace.

Gonzales Family

My heart aches with sadness for you and your family. Words can not express how sorry I am for your loss. God will watch over your family and give you the strength you need each day. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless. Elizabeth Perez, SPX c/o 90'

Hi Adam,

You do not know me, but I am a friend of Andrew Piel's. He has kept people updated on your wife's condition via Facebook. I am one of his readers, and my heart just breaks for you and your children. All I can say is trust in God; he will see you through this no matter how bleak it seems. Your wife's story has touched me. (I too have had heart surgery.) I am so sorry for your loss.

Sincerely,
Kim Williams

Eternal rest, grant unto Lori, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine her.
May she rest in peace!
Amen.

I am so sorry for loss. May God bless the Barta/Tullos families and friends during this difficult time.

Adam & Family,

I am shedding tears and saying prayers for you and your precious little family as I type at this devastating time. There are no words...only prayers for God's strength, His peace that passes understanding, and His supreme comfort. Lori made the sweetest posting in my guestbook on August 4, and I tried to find her in the journals, but she apparently hadn't set hers up yet, so I coudn't communicate back. And now to learn this. I am just so sorry. Please know there are love and prayers for you coming from Florida.

Duane Hunt

Adam, My prayers are with you and your famaily.
Captain Bill

Dr Barta I know Lori will be next to God looking after you and the girls always. She will be next to you during your family's life. I send your family a big hug.

Adam,

I worked with lovely Hannah last year in the pool. I remember fondly what an amazing person Lori is. I remember her telling me everything she does and how passionate she is about the Down Syndrome organization. She was telling me how important it is that her daughter learns life long skills and that was one of the reasons she was president of the group. I remember this beautiful castle she built with the girls in your family room and I thought to myself what an amazing mother Lori is. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Andrea Thompsen

My sympathies go out to the entire Barta-Tollos Family. I'm thinking of you all.
Lexie Mader

Adam...I am so sorry for you and your family. My heart is sad and heavy for your loss. May God be with you always, and now you and your family have a true angel!

Adam,
I know you don't know me but just reading Lori's story has given me inspiration at a time I was ready to give up. I feel words don't mean much at such a time of sorrow.

We are so very sorry for this tragic and unexpected loss. I have sat here and cried for her and your family.

God bless you and may peace somehow find you.

Kimberly & David Schlienz

Adam, You, the girls, and the rest of your family will remain in my thoughts and prayers during these most difficult days. It is clear that Lori is a very loving mother, beautiful wife and proud of you all. May her angels watch over you from now on. You can be assured that her spirit will be with you every day. Kim Evans, SPX '90

Adam, Emma, Hannah and Sarah
I'm thinking of you all today. What a blessing to have known Lori. I know it is hard to loose someone you love but such a legacy is left behind. In my years working with your girls one thing is certain Lori's grace, strength, and fun nature can be seen in each of your beautiful daughters. What a blessing she has been to so many. I pray now for peace for each of you, the words to say when the hard questions come and knowledge that despite difficulty there is someone watching over us that is our ultimate peace and protector and we can take comfort in Him.

Much Love
Danielle Saunders
Rise School Austin

Lori,

May you rest in peace with the angels in heaven. Prayers, comfort and sympathy go out to Adam, their beautful girls and the entire Tullos/Barta families.

Love,

Amy (SPX C/O '90) and Lloyd Cole
Greg (SPX C/O '93), Jenny and Grant Langfeld
Horace Langfeld

To Lori's Beautiful Family:
Lori was my colleague at TEA. We all respected, admired, and loved her. She was so proud of all of you. Thank you for sharing her with us in what turned out to be a very short, but profoundly caring life.
You are all in my prayers.
Cindy Swain

My heart goes out to you, Adam, and each of the girls -- Emma, Hannah and Sarah. I only shared a few years with Lori at the AG's office, but she was such a wonderful person - the kind who change you "For Good" (with apologies to Wicked):

"I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you..."

Ryan and I are so devastated to hear this news. Lori was such a warm and magnetic person, and this is a huge loss. Thank goodness she gave the world three lovely little replicas before she left. Adam, our thoughts are with you and your family, and please let us know if there's anything we can do.

Ryan, Kim and Quinn Davis (Stony Meadow Ln)

Our hearts and prayers go out to you. Lori was such a beautiful person. She was so giving. Always had a smile for everyone she met. We are going to miss her very much. Be strong for the girls. We will keep praying that God will bless you and give you the strenght and peace to keep going.
Rosa Rocha, Tomball, TX

Adam-

My heart is breaking for you and the girls. We will miss her terribly and are so grateful to have known her and been blessed for all she has done for us as parents and our kids with Down syndrome. We have big high-heeled shoes to fill.

Love and prayers to all of you,
Cathy, Michael, Thad and Shelby Costilla

Adam,

My heart goes out to you and your girls. Lori was an amazing person that touched so many lives. God now has an incredible Angel with him and He will take care of her. He will also give you the strength and guidance to continue to be the wonderful father you are.

Thoughts and prayers are with you from,

Ed and Anita Ford
Plano, TX
Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas

Lori, I don't know you but have had many people speak very highly of you. They have felt the need to share your fight with me. My heart aches for you and your family and I am so saddened by the aches and pains your family will experience. Adam stay strong for those children and may God Bless you and your family.
I am so so very sorry for this wonderful loss to many people. Keshia LeBouef

Our thoughts and prayers are with Lori's family. I feel blessed to have known her and appreciate all that she's done for the DS community. She has truly been an inspiration to us all.

The Jackson Family (Jaya, Jerome, Priya, & Neela)
Plano, TX

All my love, hope and prayers to you.

Susana Perez

Lori my heart breaks for your family. Thank you for giving me hope when I have struggled with my child with special needs. You gave of yourself tirelessly to help all of us provide better opportunities for our children. I pray that time will lessen the pain that your beautiful family is feeling today. May God bless your family always...

My husband and I live in Kerrville, Tx. It's so difficult to remember that God's will is perfect when something devestating happens in our lives. We sometimes think He didn't hear our prayers, or has forgotten that we needed Him so urgently, but He is here, and there with you and your family. Trust Him. He will carry you all through. He'll give you the strength that you need during this time and peace in your hearts. Just trust Him with all of your heart. Many of us are praying for you.

In Christian Love,
Clyde and Glenda Pugh

Lori, We will miss you! Adam, Stay stong for those kiddos! Your family will be in my prayers. My heart aches for you guys..I am saddened, hurt, and feeling empty for your family. May God bless you and give you guidance and strength. Craig Fontana

Our hearts & prayers go out to you and your family. We pray that God comfort all of you and give you strength to get through the days.
The Johnson Family
Spring TX

Lori, you touched my life, I thank you for all the work you pleasurably did for students with disabilities in the State of Texas, but most of all because of who you are. Your smile, kindness, the love for your husband and children enlightened my heart and soul and renewed my faith. I was blessed because you crossed my path.

Adam: Words cannot express my sympathy for your loss, and I pray for you and the girls. Kristy Furnish

I am a friend of Elizabeth and Andy Tomczeszyn. I am literally crying in my office at work right now after reading Lori's journal. Your family is beautiful! Lori sounded like a wonderful, courageous and strong person. My sister lost her husband when he was only 28 years old. The pain, as you know is almost unbearable. However, you and your family will continue on in Lori's memory. I didn't know her, but I know she is proud and loves of all of you. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Hugs. Meredith Segal

Adam, I am in awe of how many people's lives Lori touched. You need look no further than this guestbook. Her legacy will live on for many, many years to come, through your beautiful children and through families across the country. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. Wishing you comfort and peace, Meghan Klassen

Dr. Barta

In this time of sorrow I can only hope that it is of some comfort to you the image today of the tears and embraces throughout the clinic..I like to think that before leaving this world her spirit passed by and strengthened our Blackstock family