I never expected in a million years that I would have the honor to become an advocate of women's health care and education, and I'd dive on a live grenade to get this message out, so thank you for this forum.

It's been an incredible odyssey to make the journey from a vibrantly healthy person to someone with a chronic illness.

I did as much research as I could and I took ownership of this illness, because if you don't take care of your body, where are you going to live?

Happiness is the best cosmetic.

I never expected in a million years that I would have the honor to become an advocate of women's health care and education, and I'd dive on a live grenade to get this message out, so thank you for this forum.

Concealing an illness is like keeping a beach ball under water.

When people hear that I have a chronic illness, they'll say things like "Focus on you." Well, my spiritual and emotional fulfillment is based not on who I am but on what I can give. Plus, many of my favorite philosophers suggested that self-fulfillment is found through service. Who am I to argue with them?