Diagnosed at 47
I worked in the cable television industry for 23 years after graduating from Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ.
In 2012 my family noticed that I was having tremors in my left hand and arm. The initial concern was that I had MS, but after getting an MRI and seeing 3 neurologists, it was confirmed that I had Parkinson’s disease. I tried to continue working in sales after my diagnosis but it became apparent that it was too difficult for me to continue full time in any field.
I have been writing stories all my life and being an author was always a goal of mine. In 2008, around Christmastime, we had events occur in our home that provided me with the basis of the story, “Every Ornament Has Its Place.” Being a full time executive, I really didn’t have the time to find an illustrator for the story. In 2013, at Thanksgiving, I revisited the story and I had hoped somehow to meet an illustrator. Fortunately, a few days later, I met Marcus Williams who worked with me to illustrate the story and help me find a book publisher so the book would become a reality.
I can now proudly say that “Every Ornament Has Its Place” was completed for my son’s 18th birthday and is available as a book and an e-book on Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble and has been accepted into two library systems and elementary school libraries, charities and church after school programs.