From Trauma to Transformation: How I Defied the Odds and Found Renewal Through Adversity
It’s humbling when I look back on some of the challenges I went through to enable myself to have the opportunity to be here today, typing an overview of my life to share with you. There was a time when only a handful of people knew that I had SLE lupus and even fewer knew I had suffered a severe brain injury in 2020 from being t-boned by a truck.
About six months ago, I was mind-blown when I was notified that I was hand-picked to be voted into being on the cover of a Health and Fitness Magazine! Up until then, I hadn’t posted much on social media. I was avoiding large crowds, except for when once a year I would drive to Atlanta, GA to participate in a live training for school.
I absolutely did NOT do live videos and/or post videos about myself online. The accident changed me from being a socialite to a hermit. And, being asked to compete was a test that, gratefully, because of my very encouraging fiancé, I “showed up” for.
Sharing my story empowered people. I was receiving messages and gaining followers through social media faster than I ever imagined possible. It was empowering me as well! I was shocked to know that by sharing, I was enabling others to embrace the “hope” that internal change is possible. I trained to focus on the outcome I wanted versus what I did not want. People began sharing with me, reminding them that “anything” is possible; I had inspired them!
Being diagnosed with SLE Lupus at the age of seventeen wasn’t a challenge, apparently because I don’t remember being told. My mom later told me that I had been. Apparently, I had better things to think about at the time!
However, at the age of twenty-one when I was diagnosed again (the first time for me) it resonated, to say the least. My oldest daughter was two at the time and I was told, ultimately, I would be in a wheelchair within six months because my body was breaking down so fast.
For those of you who have no idea what Lupus is, it is a hyper-active auto-immune disease that affects everyone differently. Some common symptoms are joint pain, rashes, overwhelming fatigue, fever, allergy to the sun (I know, crazy right?), and even organ damage or organ failure in severe cases. I faced physical limitations and struggled for a while emotionally while realizing I had to live, forever, with this chronic illness.
The moment the doctor shared with me that I would be in a wheelchair within six months I felt like I woke up. I knew I had to do something different. I was in Amway at the time with my ex-husband, so I focused on positive affirmations, and gratefulness for what I had, and started eating healthier. No more Taco Bell for me! Fortunately, by that time there was the internet so I had resources, and I needed to be there for my baby girl! Because of that mind shift, it was then that my journey truly began.
On that note, affirmations are great, however, your subconscious mind processes in images and sounds. If you are having a hard time getting what you want, try putting up a picture of it on your mirror or vision board so you can see it every day and say out loud, “I am worthy and deserve….!”
