Sunday 7 March 2021

I’m a 66 Year Old Model!

 



When in doubt, wear red.
Bill Blass


Who knew that Bill Blass would be right!

 

The truth is that I’m a 66 year old woman. I had a VERY severe stroke 2 ½ years ago. Miraculously, I made a 100% recovery. I wake up every morning and say, “Thank you, I’ve made another day”. These words were spoken every morning by my father, and now it’s me who’s keeping them alive.

 

I was dying to get back to work. For 30 years I was a Communications Manager/Change Management Leader working on contract for banks and insurance companies. Unfortunately, COVID ended that for me. When banks and insurance companies are looking for people to work on contract, they are looking for MUCH younger people who they can pay much less than they were paying me. So, I applied for my pension and still do some work for some old clients.

 

I really wanted to give something back to people who have suffered strokes, so I was lucky enough to be hired to do volunteer work for the Aphasia Institute. If you’re interested, please read the previous blog.

 

So, here I am doing a little work and volunteer work, when I got a text from a photographer (that I know) who wanted to know if I was available for a photoshoot for a recruitment company. I thought that it was a joke! But no, it was for real and there was pay involved. Needless to say, I said YES!!!!

 

It was great fun! I was in the shoot for 30 minutes and the photos apparently turned out WONDERFUL! I’ve only seen one and here it is.

 


 

So now, I’m officially a model at 66 years old! If anyone has more gigs for me, I’m available!

  

Life isn’t perfect but your outfit can be.

Kappit

 

Make someone smile today.

 

Geri


Tuesday 26 January 2021

I'm Volunteering at the Aphasia Institute

 


I will never give up for I'm a stroke survivor.

Aaron Avila


I'm very proud to be volunteering at the Aphasia Institute. For those of you who don't know, aphasia is a language problem that occurs from a stroke or brain injury. It may also be caused by other neurological conditions such as dementia or brain tumours. The language problems can affect talking and understanding as well as the ability to read and write.

Since I've had my stroke and I've completely recovered, I have been wanting to give something back to stroke patients. Ryan Wood, my speech therapist at Bridgepoint, with whom I'm still in touch (because he's so wonderful), recommended that I volunteer at Aphasia. I would certainly understand how it feels to have the words in your throat and not able to get them out.

Lucky me! Aphasia hired me as a volunteer. They are an absolutely WONDERFUL institution! All of the volunteers have plenty of training and it continues once a week, year round. I am part of a team that gives group conversations, via Zoom. I'm really excited to one day have it in person. 

I feel really lucky that I have recovered, but I'm also really lucky that I can give something back to stroke patients.

Recovery is a process. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes everything that you've got...

TBILLifeCoach

Make someone smile.

Geri