Open Letter to Athletes

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I want to thank athletes – high school – collegiate – professional – from the bottom of my heart for making life better.

I was in line to be a US Olympic gymnast til a freak accident did away with that path.

Two years ago I hit a health wall.

Mental physical emotional.

A big part of what got me through was watching sports.

No one wants to see a player injured but every time I see someone hurt, read about an Olympic hopeful looking down the lens of a life changed by a freak accident?** I’m filled with appreciation for the people – including those other than athletes (coaches, assistants, ball boys/girls, medical personnel, refs) – that make it so I have that moment of peace.

Note:  I went to high school with a beautiful woman who ended up working as a cheerleader for the Lions.  When I saw her on TV?  On the sidelines?  A lot came into focus.

Her talking of her dream as we sat next to each other in US Government class. Watching her freezing on the sidelines at high school football games as she twirled a baton. Talking to her the following Monday about how she stood the bitter Michigan cold. All for her dream – a dream realized I witnessed on TV years later.

Numerous times in the past two years I was able to pick myself up because of interviews with athletes telling their stories.

Of overcoming adversity.

Just wanted you to know someone you’ve never met appreciates you in ways you can’t imagine.

Be well.

** Perspective available in The Lover

The Road to a Dream

emax3 Comments

Hello all!  Taking this special day to remind people to follow their dreams.

Celebrate Life

What’s special about this day?  44 years ago at 2:15pm EST I suffered a brain hemorrhage that left me blind, paralyzed on my left side, and in a coma.

I also died 3 times – twice on August 6 and again on August 9.

If not for the quick acting of two men I would not be here.

  • My dad who got me to the hospital

Drove up over the lawn and kicked in the door as he called out “Comin’ Thru!”

  • Dr Arturo Paz, neurosurgeon.

He told me he felt me slipping away and that he “…refused to let go…”

There are numerous others working that day who contributed and I’m very grateful to them all.

I went back years later to thank them.

The Power of Goals

Needless to say it was a long road to recovery.  What fueled the fire to drive that recovery were numerous goals I held to my heart.

  • “I will play and ride a bike again.”

My dad would hold me up so I could look out at the lawn under the summer sun.  

I was just getting my eyesight back and wanted to stare at the green grass. 

  • “I’m going to be out there riding my bike soon.”

I achieved the goal several weeks later.  Relearning to ride a bike was very difficult as my balance was off big-time and I was still regaining movement on my left side.  

  • “I’m going to walk again.”

Thanks to the efforts of my cousin MaryAnn and my mom I was able to walk within a month.

  • “I’m going to put this behind me.”

This was perhaps the toughest of all the goals and if it weren’t for the tireless efforts of my mom and dad I’m not sure I would have gotten past the trauma as quickly as I did.  We turned the date into a celebration of life which totally turned everything around for me.

  • “I’m going to live a normal life.”

Thanks to the incredible patience and love of my brother I was able to feel normal far quicker than I might have thought.  He was truly my hero in helping me adjust to school and feeling as normal as I could want.

Looking Deeper

While I made incredible strides and got to a point that people wouldn’t know by looking at me that anything happened there were deep wounds associated with what happened.  Apparently life wanted me to deal with them because shortly after meeting my husband I came face to face with the festering.

I ran into someone who knew me from that time and it brought painful memories to the surface.

Aaron and I were at the H.O.R.D.E Fest at Pine Knob and I had a breakdown in the parking lot as traumatic memories surfaced.

Aaron’s love and compassion were the perfect balm that started a healing that – though it took longer than I hoped – nonetheless completed.

I am grateful for all the love and support I’ve gotten throughout the years as well as the congratulations and well wishes from those who understand this is a day to celebrate.

I encourage people to pursue goals that will lead them to their dreams.

And celebrate the victories along the way!

Note:  In closing I’d like to say a special thank you to Dr. Patricia Paz Arabo for her love and support – from the beginning.  You helped me feel whole again.

She was a child who accepted me as a friend when I – 11 years old – really neeeded one.