Change and Inspiration

I grew up in Toledo, Ohio. I was the fifth of six children. My mother and father were doers. Our family was full of fun, chaos, love, work, and many other nouns.

As a very young child I watched my siblings and learned. I always strived to achieve. I was a good student and athlete. I graduated from Rogers High School in the top 1/4 of my class. I played varsity tennis all four years and a year in College. I had a job at the age of 16 and worked to help earn my way.

I graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1983. I landed a "real" job with Toledo Public Schools as a physical education teacher then very next fall. That year I joined a pool league with my twin sister and her husband. I met my future husband. We dated for a few years and married in 1987.

In 1990 we had our first child, a daughter. In 1991 we had our son. I worked hard at home and work. I loved my family and my career. I went to graduate school and earned a Masters Degree in Administration and Supervision. Not long after I received my Administrative Specialist degree I landed a job as an Assistant Principal.

As time went by I yearned for the Principalship. I received it. The time I put into my career was important to me but did take away from my young children. I decided to return to the assistant position for a few years until my children were older.

Five years later, I landed another job as Principal. I loved it. I was the principal of a school that I taught in for eleven years. I knew the community, families, staff, and felt I could offer a strong leadership to create an atmosphere of quiet learning. The first year was **&;(!** a huge challenge. I survived as did the children. I prayed that summer for MEN. Many of the children did not have a strong, positive male role model in their young lives. God answered and I had on my staff five men just out of college the next fall. Together we turned around the disruptive children into learning children. It was awesome! The Governor of Ohio recognized our school by the raise in our test scores and gave the school ten thousand dollars!

In 1999, some how I was bitten by an insect that made me very sick. I was hospitalized with suspected encephalitis. I spent several weeks in the hospital. Then, many months and years trying to convince myself I was fine. I lost a lot of memory, had major migraine headaches, depression and extreme tiredness all through this time. God was telling me to slow down and I was not listening. Just before 2003 I was coming home on my 4-wheeler from the neighbors when I was hit by a car from behind. I can remember flying through the air thinking, "oh no, this is it. My two young children are going to find me dead in the road". Amazingly, I had just a broken ankle and lots of bruises. I "got" the message and began to accept my handicap of poor health. In 2003 I realized I could no longer be a principal and retired from Toledo Public Schools.

This took me onto a new chapter of my life. I will write more later on this new "chapter".

Please add your comments as I would love to hear your stories too!

Chronic Pain

I have grown a lot since my last post. First and foremost pain is a mind set. Yes, it is. I have been learning to accept my health and improve it with positive thought, meditation, belief that my health will improve, inspiration from others including spiritual inspiration.

I have been active in my growth. I have learned to quiet the mind and reach into myself. Ask our Source, God, Universe, Angels, for guidance, love, and healing. I have and do work with Horses to help them heal and in return they work with me. It is an amazing feeling.

Yes, I work with two doctors. Both are " western " medicine type. My Neurologist is an MD. She is open to the Eastern ideas and ways. My family doctor is a DO. She too knows that energy in the body flows through charkas and meridians. There is room for the best of both cultures and I am thankful to have found these doctors to assist me in my health growth and well being.

Let me know what you think about your healing and your input on your health. There are many factors that play into "health" such as: heredity, environment, nutrition, emotional well being, spiritual well being, physical well being, and mental well being, all are part of you. When one is hurting or compromised it will show by illness, pain, or dis....ease.

Daily Headaches

Many Americans have head aches. I was lucky. I did not have headaches till I was suddenly hospitilized with encephalitis. I was married, two young children, a principal of an elementary school. My life was about to change and I was not even aware that I was seriously ill.

It has been six years since I had to retire from the elementary school Principal's position I worked so long and hard to acheive. In October 2009 it will be ten years I have lived with memory loss, headaches, depression and tiredness.

I now work at a wonderful Nursing Home. I run activities (part time) for my friends that live there. I also have taught my self to appreciate the relationships I have in life. I love my family, friends, horses, dogs, cats and most of all myself. My spirituality has grown. I love that I know God. I know and feel a part of all that is.

I labeled this Blog Living with Pain - Patti I am not bitter this happened to me. I realize that at my age I am fortunate to be apart of so many lives. I love to acheive. I love to learn new things. I am a leader; although not in schools. Yes, I was and am very sad to give that up but, I have gained much.

First, I listened to my friend, Mary. She asked me: "Are you affraid to work?" I thought long and hard......"yes, I am." I was not sure I could. My headaches were daily. I was affraid I would not remember things. And, who would want me.

After she left, I was looking at ads in a local paper. "PT Activities Assistant wanted for family owned nursing home." I called, had an interview and got the job. I can remember the boss of activities saying "Our residents get attached to workers. I hope you don't plan on leaving." I have now been there longer than any activity worker even the person that hired me has moved onto another position.

I work evenings, I wear a hat to keep the floresent lights off my eyes. I love what the residents have given me. Love....and in return I have given them love right back.

I will write more later. I hope you have something you can add. I still have headaches, memory loss, depression and tiredness. I just try to continue to search for answers to help alleviate the problem causing the systoms I have. I am much better than I was five or six years ago. I plan to continue to improve. I am tired and going to bed.

Cheers