The Journey From Within

I had a pretty average journey until 10 years ago when I was hit by a drunk driver. As a result I have a metal plate in my neck, I have a disorder called RSD and I’m disabled. RSD stands for Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, it’s much like the more well known Fibromyalgia. RSD is a nerve disorder that causes pain synapses in my arms to fire continuously. The pain never stops and yet it gives me the greatest gift, the gift of being able to help others.

When my four year old was born, we fell into a category of making too much money to get government aid and not enough money to buy it for ourselves. So, to provide for my family and newborn child I starting shop lifting. I stole diapers, wipes, formula and one day I got caught. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Wal*mart for arresting me and sending me to jail. As the judge let me off I decided that I was going to change my life.

I spent a great deal of time in my bed prior to changing my life. I watched a TV show called Starting Over which showed women changing their lives with the help of life coach Rhonda Britten. I thought if these women can change their lives then so can I! Rhonda had just written a book called CYL in 30 days and we gave up paying our gas bill so I could join her teleclass about the tools in her book for 30 days in a row. So there I sat with no gas, no hot water, no way to shower, cook or heat my cold home…changing my life one day at a time.

I soon realized I was addicted to Xanax to numb my emotional pain and that I really did have choices in my life. I made a choice to jump out of bed jump and into my life. I took baby steps that brought me back to nursing and I now get to take care of special needs children that are medically fragile. I volunteer my time at the Christian Health clinic when I can. I have gone on a medical missions trip to Paraguay, Brazil and Honduras. Although I am still disabled, I am also participating in m own life.

I went back to school and graduated as a certified Fearless Living Life Coach. I specialize in helping people with health and pain challenges. I get to help anyone from people with migraines to Fibromyalgia; Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to Cancer. I support them in dealing with their illness and working through it as they make their way through life. Life coaching is about action, it’s about movement, it’s about living the life you really want to live. Bottom line is I have the best job in the whole world…I get to change peoples lives.

As for my family, I have been married for the last 8 years to my wonderful husband Brent. I have 2 daughters by birth (Danielle is 18 and Emily is 4) and they live with me in our home in Bolingbrook. I also have 2 beautiful step daughters ages 23 and 16.