Introducing myself and my journal: I am the Difference

About Me:
I live on the north coast of Oregon. I retired after 31 years with a local government. I work part-time for a community college helping people with workforce education. I am an active community member with interests in personal and community emergency preparedness. I coordinate the Seaside Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) for the fire department. I am also a member of the Rotary Club of Seaside. I am also a family educator and advocate for those who have someone with a serious brain (mental) illness in their family or circle of friends. I traveled to China in 2001 with a People to People Ambassador Program delegation relating to mental health. In November 2009, I traveled to Benin, W. Africa as part of a Rotary delegation. We attended a Rotary project fair, visited local Rotary projects and spent an afternoon immunizing children under 5 years old for polio prevention.

My Passions:
Mental Illness Awareness, Championing the Silver Ribbon awareness ribbon for brain illnesses and injuries, and being an active Rotarian

My Challenges:
Organizing my surrounding for a workable home office

My Vision for the Future:
A world free of polio and knowing that I have made a difference in the world.

My Areas of Expertise:
Mental illness advocacy from the family perspective; community emergency preparedness; making a difference through Rotary International.