I was diagnosed w/ Fibromyalgia 12/11/08 after a painful surgery in 08/08. Earlier in 2008 I had double vision for 2 months. I took this as a sign that my body was crying out for help. I also had been exhausted forfor YEARS. At first, I learned to deal with the fatigue. However, It got worse. I had to stop teaching and drop out of graduate school due to my pain. Every aspect of life is different now. I suffer from PTSD and Hashimoto's disease as well. I want to remain positive, passionate, and hopeful. I struggle everyday to find balance. I welcome new friends to share experiences with.
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I'm Lauren. I am loving, intense, driven, passionate, openminded, loyal & resilient. I suffer from Fibromyalgia, Hashimoto's Disease, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Someday I hope to gain control of my symptoms and live a normal life.
From a very young age I have been driven to help people, to be active in school, and to be involved in my community. For years, I have been dedicated to changing my life and the lives of others despite the obstacles presented to me. I grew up in an alcoholic family environment where the kids were physically, verbally, and emotionally abused. The only people in my life whom I could trust were teachers, therapists, and a handful of family members who went out of their way to make it clear to me that it was not my fault and that I was a valuable human being. My experience as a child gave me insight I might not otherwise have had. For example, when I was twelve years old and Child Protective Services came to speak with me about my family situation. I made the decision that from then on I was going to be active in changing the way things are for kids in my situation. In addition, certain people in my life pushed me to live up to my full potential. I want to inspire others as they have inspired me.
When I was fifteen, I entered an abusive, intimate relationship that lasted 6½ years. I had let my childhood pain and insecurities seep into my personal life. Somehow I managed to stay in school hoping for the strength to break out. I moved out to live on my own when I was a junior in high school, still planning to go to college. I got into college on my own. I spent half of my college experience in that abusive relationship. I graduated in 2006 with a BA in Psychology and Sociology. In Fall of 2008 I had to drop out of the graduate program I was working on. I was working on a Masters in Education and my Multiple Subject Credential. It broke my heart but I clearly had to listen to what my body needed.
I am a strong, independent woman who is willing to put herself out there to make a difference. In the past, I worked as a volunteer at the Child Abuse Prevention Center, a Case Manager, and I taught preschool. I also spent time tutoring 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. I feel the most alive in situations where I am helping others, and when doing so, I always feel rewarded for my efforts. Throughout college, I have not been a typical college student. I have worked outside of school to pay bills and have attended school full time. I was inducted into Psi Chi, the National Honor Society for Psychology and given the "Award for Excellence in Psychology and Sociology". In fact, my professor asked me to write in her book. Sadly, the timing is not good for me. I have been very ill and cannot put my all into it right now.
My life has provided me with a strong spirit, empathetic heart and a strong will to learn. This drive and knowledge of humans in relation to each other in the real world has made a huge difference in how choose to live my life. I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. In contrast, I do not take kindly to ignorance and hate.
I would like to work with various populations in an educational setting, however my passion is working with those who have been abused or have experienced trauma. Having said that, I think having the opportunity to work with different groups will allow me to discover what I am best at. In my education, I will build my foundation, experience, and knowledge in order to guide me on my journey. Everything I do is done with the same basic goal in mind. I take different approaches to reaching that goal depending on my situation and where I am in my life. My main goal is promoting emotional health, social awareness, and education. This is why all of my jobs and volunteer positions have been in the same basic arena of work. There is a connection between the individual's health and society's health, education system, and function. I am interested in working towards the health of all. Our external environment also has an impact on us. If I can help to keep balance by promoting education and encouraging independent thought, I feel I can make an impact on society as a whole, no matter how small the impact.
BELOW- ME TEACHING =)
I learn something new everyday. Although I struggle, I always aim to be a good natured person. I love my friends and family more than anything in the world. They are wonderful people. One of my favorite things is to watch a child grow, explore and discover new things. I love to teach and although FM has stopped it temporarily I don't imagine that I will ever stop working with children.
I know that even though I am sick I am still good inside. Some days I have trouble dragging myself through the day but I have to keep myself driven by the hope that who I am is important to someone. I try to remind myself (even in pain) to do something for someone else whenever I can. If we all close our eyes to others we all become ignorant and the problems become bigger in our world. I also try to find fun in as much as I can.
Sometimes I am misunderstood because I get depressed. I have PTSD after a life of abuse. I do not feel bad for myself. I work to make my life better everyday. I work to made the lives of children better. If I have helped one person, I feel good about the effort I have put int.
Now that I am sick it is a different world for me. I have always been independant and self sufficient. I have had to ask for help and slow down my fast-paced lifestyle of work and school and look at what I really need in my life.
I appreciate the little things more than ever. I have my moments of frustration, but I think I am learning some very important lessons.
"People don't ever seem to relate that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune." ~William McFee
MY WONDERFUL SUPPORTIVE FRIENDS WHO HELP ME THROUGH THIS (below)
THESE ARE JUST 2 PICTURES FROM A HUGE YARD SALE MY FRIENDS (AND SOME FRIENDS OF FRIENDS) HAD FOR ME TO PAY FOR ONE OF MY SURGERIES- I CRIED IN SHOCK! SOOOO NICE!!!
<P align=center><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt" size=2><STRONG>"<FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt" size=4>In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends</FONT>."</STRONG></FONT></p>
MY SIBLINGS!!
