Submitted by: James Placek, Regional Vice President
I have had the privilege of living with my sister-in-law, Bridget Jones, since 2004. Bridget has Down syndrome, which makes her not only special, but extraordinary. She is full of love and cheer. Guess what? She is more like me and you than you know. Instead of me telling you everything about her, let’s hear directly from Bridget! “Hey everybody, my name is Bridget Jones. I’m 47-years-old. Many people don’t understand what I’m all about, why I’m special. I’m human just like everybody else. Most people know that I am famous for that movie named after me, do you know …
Submitted by: Deidre Paez, Legal Projects Specialist
Back in 2003, I joined Susan G. Komen to get involved and raise awareness after reading her story. I participated in walks, wore a pink scarf during the month of October, tied a pink ribbon to my phone, and read about developments. I remember a former co-worker asked why I have the ribbon on my phone, and I explained it’s to bring awareness to breast cancer; initially, she thought it was because it had something to do with me, a family member, a friend, etc. Well, at the time, no; I was just being an advocate. I was in my …
Submitted by: Hannah Reen, Multi-Media Content Producer
My name is Hannah Reen and I’m 22 years old. I’ve been with the Company for almost six months and work in the Savannah corporate office as the Multi-Media and Content Producer. I have autism. People often describe individuals with Asperger’s Syndrome as people who are on the “higher functioning” side of the spectrum. In relative comparison, that is true. Autism is a spectrum that includes different types, or “levels,” to categorize and appropriately identify a person. So, in a sense, I am “higher functioning” than others on the spectrum that deal with different cognitive development issues. However, at the …
Submitted by: Kevin Kough, District Director of Operations
Our days begin the same: early alarm, school clothes picked out, Fruity Pebbles or something similar, and then rushing out the door all the while forgetting to “style” his hair or some other morning crisis that we discover after pulling out of the driveway. The conversations on the way to school are usually endless about Pokémon, Minecraft, or the current video game of choice. The rare quiet mornings are because of late nights watching Star Wars or needing to finish our Lego War. While the “Ground Hog Day” feeling is ever present, the routine is very important. Rowan was diagnosed …
Submitted by: Shelley Hotchkiss, District Director of Operations
My name is Shelley Hotchkiss, and I am a District Director of Operations in St Louis, Missouri. I’ve just celebrated my one-year anniversary with our wonderful Company in March and I’m grateful for this opportunity to share another title I’m proud to hold: “Molly’s Mom.” Becoming a mom is hands-down the greatest thing I’ve ever done. My daughter, Molly, is the center of everything I do. She is my “Why.” Molly was diagnosed with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) when she was nine-years-old. Autism is rarely a single diagnosis; Molly also has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Anxiety and …
Do you remember riding a bike? Close your eyes and imagine it. Can you feel the wind in your face, the sunlight on your skin and the freedom of being on the open road or racing through a nature trail? You can mount a bike, put on a helmet, and hit the ground peddling, but some people can’t. Think about your grandmother who loved riding a bike as a child or a friend you know with a physical disability. Chances are, they can’t easily ride a bike. After watching a video of European volunteers cycling the elderly, disabled, and sick …
Submitted by: Bridget Moody, General Manager
*Content may be upsetting to some. Please read with caution. I opened a can of biscuits, all by myself!! Doesn’t sound like a big accomplishment, does it? To almost 8 million Americans, that simple task could have meant DAYS in the protection of a dark room on high alert. Seems crazy, right? My name is Bridget and I live with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Here’s my story and what I want the world to know… I am a survivor. Make no mistakes, I spent 23 years as a victim living in disgrace, ashamed of what I had been through, …
Submitted by: Leslie Bowmen, Sr. Director of Business Operations
Isn’t it interesting how there are moments in your life when everything around that time period is a blur, but a big event happens and 10 to 20 years later you can remember that day with such clarity as if it had happened yesterday?! This was one of those moments for me. I thought it was just going to be another Sunday afternoon followed by our usual Sunday family dinner. I often came back to my parent house on Sunday’s when I was in college to have a good meal and the comforts of home. This Sunday was going to …
Submitted by: Jada Gaines, Litigation Paralegal
Everyone’s scars tell a story, what do yours say about you? For those of you that know me, wearing kimonos and cardigans have become a part of my daily routine. To many, it is viewed as a fashion trend, but it serves a more important purpose to me. In an effort to protect my skin from the sun and certain building lights, these pieces of clothing are critical to my health. I would have never expected roughly four years after I lost a close friend to her fight against Lupus, that I would find myself admitted into a hospital with …
Submitted by: Nikki Burns, General Manager I had my first mammogram 2-14-18. I giggled to myself on the way there thinking that now I was officially old since I needed this done. It stopped being funny when I was called back for more images and told I needed a biopsy. 2 days after my biopsy, my results were in and I was asked to come to the doctor’s office. No one gets called to the office for good results. My boyfriend came with me. I didn’t ask him to come, he just told me he was going. He knows me …