I am incredibly proud and excited to introduce you to my autobiography, From Shadow to Strength. This is not just a story—it is my truth, my pain, my triumph, and my journey toward finding faith and purpose. My story begins with abandonment—my little sister and I left alone by our mother while my father was away on a work project. After five days, we were both close to death. When my father returned, we faced a different battle: chronic physical abuse at his hands. But amidst the darkness, there was light—the love of my stepmother, the role I took on as a protector for my siblings, and the resilience that would define my life.
I enlisted in the United States Air Force and found purpose in service. But during Desert Storm, I suffered a traumatic brain injury. I was a first responder to the devastating C-5 Galaxy crash, where I held the hand of a man—half-burned, clinging to life—until he took his final breath. These moments changed me forever.
I open up about the pain of sexual assault, the trauma of being harassed by my second commander—who wanted me out of “his” Air Force—and the battles I fought, not just for my career but for my dignity. Life tested me in other ways, too. I stood by my stepmother as she took her last breath after a brutal fight with breast cancer—we buried her on her 38th birthday. I lost myself in work, while my husband was present for all of our twin boys’ soccer games. The guilt weighed on me, but I pushed forward. Then, my body began to betray me. In my early 30s, crippling fatigue set in.
Doctors dismissed it as stress. I was diagnosed with ADD and prescribed Adderall, but my mind kept slipping. Desperate for answers, I became my own advocate, only to be misdiagnosed with Lupus and Fibromyalgia. The real battle had just begun. I started abusing Adderall, trying to stay sharp
in my executive career. Most people didn’t notice, but I was unraveling. A psychiatrist eventually prescribed me an excessive dose—five 30 mg pills a day—which still wasn’t enough to last a month. I suffered mini-strokes, and then a full-blown stroke. Finally, the truth came to light: I had Multiple Sclerosis. Soon after, I was also diagnosed with Epilepsy, and now I face the possibility of Parkinson’s disease. A few years ago, I was declared a 100% Disabled Veteran. My body carries the scars of my past, but my soul is stronger than ever.
This is just a glimpse of my journey. My life has been filled with pain, but also joy. I once lived with regret, but finding God in my journey has given my suffering meaning. Everything was worth it. I hope my story—told across two books—will resonate with those who have faced tragedy, PTSD, anxiety, depression, or neurological diseases. If you are struggling, you are not alone. There is hope. There is strength in survival. Thank you for allowing me to share my journey with you. God bless.