My Journey

I have had a wonderful life so far. I have great friends, two kids and three granddaughters, but that doesn’t mean that I haven’t had hard times in my life. I’ve gone through a divorce, deaths of friends and family, and medical issues

I think it’s how you handle those hard times that gives you strength and character. I’ve gone through a divorce, cancer and many others. I look at each one as an opportunity to improve and move forward; I believe there’s a plan.

When I was diagnosed with brain cancer, I had surgery, radiation therapy, and chemo. What a blessing. 

How in the world is cancer a blessing? I was off work for 18 months and I got to spend all that time with my two young children. They are now 25 and 27 and we still have very strong bond. 

We were never told that life would be easy and many times it’s very hard. 

When it is, what do you do? Do you bury your head in the sand, sit back and do nothing, or do you go after it with fire and passion?

Everyone of us has probably had a job. My first job was working at a Christmas tree lot when I was 14 and my last job was working at Aetna for 20 years. 

I realized after my brain injury that I have been given the gift of choice. I don’t have to do what I have done before; my choices are almost boundless. I can do something that I’m passionate about and help others and you can do it too. Make a plan and go after it with an intense desire and passion to succeed. Don’t let yourself or anybody else tell you you can’t do it. Look at a long-term goal and break it down into small goals. Step by step you will achieve it. Don’t accept no for an answer. 

Now after having two big seizures that blinded my right eye and initially left me unable to speak or walk, I’ve chosen to be a motivational speaker and photographer. Will it be easy? Probably not, but it’s all up to me and I choose to do it and be successful.

I’m only 60—who knows what awaits. I’m excited!