In 1979 I knew I was different than other kids. I knew I had a problem, and I knew I wasn't going to raise my hand to read. That is because I could read but a few words of English. All of my teacher's knew I had a reading problem, and they approached my mother to get me into the special education program to be tested. My mother, Irene Spirock didn't want my self esteem to fall. She felt I was a smart kid. My math was excellent. I got "A"'s in all of math classes. In fact I asked to be moved from regular math to Algebra in the 8th grade. As long as we had discussions and I could watch a movie about the subject, I could pass the class. If I had to write about something I read, well then I failed the class. In the 12th grade my senior English teacher commented on how low my writing was, and a teacher pulled him aside. I never heard that discussion again. I graduated with everyone else. My mom even got me a white tassel . The school change the rules my senior year, and my name was left off. My mom got me one anyways.
After high school I got in a major car accident and the car was totaled/. My head had gone through the windshield. I told the doctor about how my hands and feet were and had turned yellow now and before. Instead of a concussion, I was told by the Stanford University Staff that I had Scleroderma. Back in 1983, not much was know about it . What I could read about it was that I was 18, and I might not see my 50th birthday. Pain and suffering was going to be my companions. I could no longer swim. Water and wind cause the most pain because they trigger Raynaud's , lack of blood circulation followed by pain, swelling, and over time damage to the tissues involved. Those with Scleroderma are not contagious, and most cases suffer many years before death. Instead of waiting for this, I completed three degrees despite any negative feedback from professors, relatives, and peers. Some people told me I was not strong enough, or smart enough. I just worked harder, and took the medicine the doctors provided me. I gor my own jobs, money, and insurance without any assistance. My first husband helped me by giving me the strength I needed to move out of my parents home.
When I realized that I was making all the money, and I lonely and being used and abused again. I pulled myself up again, and got divorced. At the time my Scleroderma was at it's worse. I had to drive myself to the hospital. My second husband was the best choice because when I did get my strokes, and gallbladder surgery he was there for me. Jason was there for me to finish my Master's degree in Administration and Supervision. I taught special education for 30 years, and my body could no longer do a 40 hour week.
It was time for a new adventure. So now I have begun my adventure as a leader or founder of the Fresno Scleroderma Connection Group. Wish me luck in my new role.