Empathy in Action: Transform Your Perspective

<p>I went for one of my regular visits to my optometrist. I see special ophthalmologists too, due to the damage to my cornea that occurred in the hospital, but I wanted my long-time optometrist to be in charge of my overall eye care. During the examination another doctor sat in to observe. I asked if [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Saturday was the 30th annual Expanding Your Horizons (EYH) Conference at Skyline College. EYH is a yearly conference for 6th-12th grade girls with the goal of exposing girls to viable careers using math or science. Every year since 1980, women come to Skyline&#8217;s campus on the third Saturday in March to engage young girls in hands-on [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Last week, Chip thought it would be fun to put a tight rubber band around my ankles–-and then make me walk! Walking was soon deemed “too easy,” so Chip had me take steps diagonally and sidestep! When Chip described the activity to me, the word “impossible” flashed through my mind, along with a few others [&hellip;]</p>

One day last week I had an MRI and another day last week I tested for my red belt in karate. I began taking karate with my children about two years before my surgery. It was a fun activity to do with my kids, and it occupied my mind as I was going through my [&hellip;]</p>

<p>Video games. Stimulating toys for little boys or valuable therapy tools? We bought a Nintendo Wii game system shortly after I came home from the hospital. The Wii system is different from traditional video games. Instead of sitting on the couch, exercising the all-important thumb muscles, the Wii system detects the position of the hand-held [&hellip;]</p>

<p>I returned to the lecture arena this month with Biology 675, an honors colloquium that supplements traditional Biology courses. Upon successful completion of Biology 675, students earn honors units for Biology 675 (1 unit) in addition to their concurrently-enrolled Biology course. The topic of Biology 675 varies, depending on the instructor. The last time I [&hellip;]</p>

“That’s a big tumor, Shari,” echoed through my head as I packed for my short stay in the hospital.  The doctors told me that, even though it was large, the removal of this benign brain tumor (an acoustic neuroma) was something they did all the time, and that I had an excellent prognosis.  They said [&hellip;]</p>

In writing my best-seller, When Life Throws You Lemons…Make Cranberry Juice!, and in living life in my skin the past few years, I have learned a lot about determination. Not determination to succeed, but determination to try. I know, I know–Yoda said “Do or do not; there is no try.” I use that on my [&hellip;]</p>

Welcome to my blog. I wrote a book about my struggles following the removal of a benign brain tumor. I&#8217;m using this blog to continue to share my challenges and victories. I&#8217;d love to hear your stories too! My book is called &#8220;When Life Throws You Lemons&#8230;Make Cranberry Juice!&#8221; My sarcastic twist on the famous [&hellip;]</p>