Who Am I?
I’m a 32 year old wife and mother of two little boys who was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome in her early 30's. Prior to having my children, I had an executive position at an insurance company that required me to work long hours and travel frequently. I’ve always been the type of person who has thrived under stressful situations and looked for opportunities to push myself. In college, I not only participated in varsity sports while earning a degree in Psychology and Art History, but I also worked 40 hours a week.
When my first son was born, my world stood still and I finally felt like I didn’t need to constantly push myself. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Need something done, ask a busy person.” Well, I’m that busy person. I would always take on more than I could probably handle, and somehow, find a way to make it happen. I knew that I finally couldn’t – and didn’t want to – do everything when my son was born. I am fortunate enough that my husband’s income is enough to support our family and it wasn’t necessary for me to return to the working world. It took me 30 years to realize that, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Now, instead of leaving the house early in the morning and sitting through meetings all day long or flying around the country, I go to playgroups, story hours, swim lessons, and long scenic runs with my two sons. We pick strawberries, make jam, plant gardens, harvest vegetables, draw on the driveway with chalk, and run errands together. Although there still aren’t enough hours in my day, my biggest stress most days is driving to and from activities. This is exactly what my body needs now that I’m living with Sjogren’s.