Regina on the Go
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Lukas Prinos
Team Chapnick
Regina Holtmeier has built a balanced and independent life for herself in Union, Missouri.
Holtmeier navigates life with Down Syndrome. She lives in her home where she takes moments to relax during the week. Embroidery, piano, golf and calf-roping practice fill her home life.
Her deep connection to her community is clear whenever she is out and about the town. Wherever she goes in Union, she offers high fives and hugs to longtime friends and makes new acquaintances. Her friends are everywhere, from the Union Community Center playing card games, to the home of Anita and Roy Turner for an evening of Bible study.
“I like saying hi to my friends,” Holtmeier said.
On a recent Thursday night, Alley Pikey, an employee at the community center who has known Holtmeier for five years, embraced her as she was leaving the center.
“Who doesn’t know Regina?” Pikey said with a smile.
Most know Holtmeier by her red tricycle. On sunny days, she rolls it down her driveway and cruises through town to Purschke’s Oil & Tire Co. where she collects recyclables into the basket on her trike. She takes it back home to store until it is picked up by a garbage truck. The returnable cans she turns in for cash.
“I like doing it,” Holtmeier said. “It’s good for the planet.”
It is Holtmeier’s drive to pursue the things she wants and her care for others that shine through in her daily life.
Regina Holtmeier, 44, practices calf roping in her garage in Union. Originally from Beaufort, Mo., Regina has been living in this home for 17 years.
Regina looks both ways across the street as she pedals her bike out of her driveway. Regina specifically chose a tricycle that she could use to haul recyclables.
Regina high fives her dental assistant at Brady Dental DDS in Warrenton, Mo., after her appointment. Regina went in to have a temporary crown put in.
Regina eats a pasta dinner with Anita Turner, center, and Roy Turner, right, during a group bible study. Regina is a devout catholic and has attended bible study for years with the Turners. This week, they read from the book of Psalms.
Regina sits on her living room couch writing down her golf schedule for the week. Her schedule is an important way for her to stay organized during the week.
Regina rests in her bed in the morning at her home.
Regina plays piano in her home.
Regina sits in front of her piano. Regina says she is a lover of all music and spends time listening to country and folk.
Regina hugs Allen Klenke in Hot Dog Man, a restaurant in Union. Allen was waiting for his car to be serviced in Purschke’s Oil & Tire Co. when Regina walked in and offered him a hug. Allen cleans at Hot Dog Man on Mondays and collects the recycling from Hot Dog Man and Purschke’s Oil & Tire Co. throughout the week.
Regina plays a game of Uno with friends at the Union Community Center. Regina and her mother, Juanita Miner, have been attending the center for years to play card games, bingo and spend time with friends.
Regina plays golf in her side yard. Regina spends most of the year practicing for her birthday, when her golf coach takes her out for a game.
Regina pedals back to her home with a load of recycling from Purschke’s Oil & Tire Co. Regina is a familiar sight for the shop as she graduated from Union High School with one of the owners, Seth Purschke, in the '90s.
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