I was born to MOVE. Growing up, I loved anything that had to do with physical games or competition. Athletic ability, just came so easily for me. My favorite Waggener High School coach, Miss Bates, nicknamed me, “Flash;” and, another coach, called me, “Bambi. “I lettered in four sports throughout my high school years. I made good friends, wonderful memories, and learned valuable life skills.
I continued to lead a very active life style, but, at age 34, while playing in an Old Timers field hockey game, I tore my right ACL. And, over the years that followed, I dealt with progressive weakness /pain, on the right side of my body. I knew something wasn’t quite right, but, I just learned to live with it, until finally, almost 20 years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological MOVEMENT
disorder, for which there is no cure. My doctor told me “exercise is medicine.” So, I figured, that I could fix, manage, and control it, on my own, if I just exercised enough. But, it proved bigger than I was…. a Goliath in my life. And, after exhausting all my own efforts, I had no choice, but to surrender. I needed help desperately… I needed a coach….
I have an AWESOME COACH, now. His name is Jesus and He is unlike any other coach that I have ever had. He is into training the whole me: body, soul, and spirit. He is teaching me to be kind, gentle and patient with myself, when my body doesn’t do what I want it to do, or when it does what I don’t want it to do. He has me practice maintaining my peace and joy even in uncertain circumstances, He picks me up when I fall down. He understands and encourages me when I have an “off day.” And, He reminds me to never give up even when it looks hopeless…
because the best is yet to come…. a HEAVENLY HALL OF FAME.
And, my goal is to be in my best shape ever!!!