My story started as a resident when I was training to be a surgeon. I was having trouble physically and was diagnosed with lupus. By early 90’s I had a variety of problem. I was put on medical leave in 1992 after a short career in the medical field. In my world everything kind of stopped. I was very depressed. I tried a variety of things, but it just wasn’t quite the same. Eventually treatment kind of worked and I started to do little bits of things again. Then in 2002-2003 I was backed down by a car leading to multiple complications and 2 major heart surgeries. Meanwhile my arthritis had chewed up the joints in my hands. There was no way my hands could ever operate again. I started to take a rational look at life again. I looked around for something else to do. I liked animals, horses in particular. I had been riding since 12 years of age. I was happiest when I was horseback riding. So, I thought horseback riding. I had to figure out how I would be even strong enough to get up on the horse. A chance meeting with a friend led me to investigate parasports, for people with disabilities. I worked very hard, found people who believed in me, and had an unlikely horse Eric who tried very hard along with me. I finally made it to the 2012 US Paralympic Team in London and did very well. I have competed in many parasport events since. Now I cannot ride a horse due to medical limitations. Turns out, sitting in a carriage elegantly, wearing clothes like a lady should, you can drive a horse in a carriage. So, now I am embarking on my new career as a carriage driver.
With a picture of hers at the 2012 Paralympic Games !