Life Redirected

In retrospect, I have always been keenly aware of the position and conditions of women in society. I innately understood the strength of the women in my life and I empathized with their stories, what I knew of them. Images of women’s roles portrayed on television and in movies stood in stark contrast to media images of those fighting for Women’s Rights. Images burned into my memory. Society was at a crossroads then and I, seemingly, took inventory of that transformation. Not consciously. Although, continually.

Two years ago, after living as the strong, mostly single mother, quite capable of providing for her family, an illness redirected my life. For a year, “modern” medicine failed to diagnose the condition as it worsened, leaving me jobless and disabled. Disillusioned and frustrated, I was determined to diagnose my own medical condition and, painstakingly, find the professionals to help me. One of my symptoms was brain fog and, during this time, I was taking my last class to finally receive my degree. Miraculously, I made it through but I soon realized that the continual testing and challenging of my brain was vital to my recovery.

I began writing…and never stopped. The more I wrote - the more complicated and detailed - the more I focused on my ability rather than my disability. I started my first blog and began freely sharing my thoughts with the world. Why the Hell not? If I had been clear of thought, would I have done that? Not sure. But as my health improved and my brain fog cleared, I knew that it was imperative that I keep writing and sharing. JUST in case.

Questions of inequality resurfaced because the medical conditions from which I suffered are those that are commonly ignored within the medical community because, overwhelmingly, they affect women. Research dollars are limited and misinformation is rampant, so doctors are inclined to disregard the symptoms, dismiss their severity or question the integrity of the woman. My experience with the medical community has affected MY strength and MY ability to take care of my family, highlighting yet another of the subtle ways in which inequality still exists in Western society.

I write what I know so my dominant theme is women in society. As a child, I understood these women; as a teenager, I took to heart the changes “promised” by historic United States legislation; as a single mother who struggled through circumstances that I never imagined would still exist, I am outraged. So the ideal of equality must persist. In the West, equal pay for equal work; globally, education for all children; one step at a time. To this end, I use my websites, writings and, now, World Pulse to pursue connections with younger generations in order to share insight, inspire authenticity and support efforts that improve the conditions of women. Continual refinement of my personal perspective is critical, however, and Voices of Our Future is that extraordinarily empowering opportunity.