For my first 15 years in the publishing field, I specialized in advertising and the development of new trade magazines. I was a workaholic, not so warm woman, before I met Bruce, the love of my life, and gave birth to our first daughter Olivia . After her premature entry to the world, I chose to leave the glam and cash of the corporate world, and work from home in my pj's , so I could care for my tiny, red haired new little bundle . I then created , and launched the consumer crafts magazine, Embroidery Journal, that was a fun, successful, amazing amount of work. My second daughter Zoe was born two years later. From birth on, Zoe was often ill and hospitalized many times. Throughout this period, and until Zoe was almost three- I fought tirelessly for a diagnosis - as my mothers' instinct told me something was just not right.
With the help of my biological father, Joe Eszterhas and the support and encouragement of my husband, we traveled from AZ to the Cleveland Clinic where first Zoe was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease, Olivia was diagnosed the year after. Since then, I have learned about metabolic disorders, generalized epilepsy, acidosis, renal tubular acidosis, GI issues, feeding issues, retinopathy and vision loss, fatigue, hypoplasia of the cerebellum, muscular issues, ASL, asthma, anticipatory anxiety disorder.. well, you get the picture. I became a therapist, teacher, and advocate- and learned through all of this - that the first and most important job I have is to just be Mom- and to also maintain the knowledge I have gained from these different roles.
I have served as past President for the AZ Chapter of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, a Family Faculty Volunteer for Raising Special Kids and also began a support group in Scottsdale for parents of young children with special needs that were undiagnosed. I sold my magazine to a competitor in 2007, and have worked from home in various marketing support positions since.
I enjoy writing, have been blogging since 2005 and have participated in Mothers Who Write. My stories have been published in Raising Arizona Kids, Raising Special Kids Magazine, the book Cup of Comfort for Parents of Children with Autism, and most importantly some of my thoughts and words were also published in my father's book "Crossbearer". In 2009, My father, Joe Eszterhas and I gave the keynote address at the American Adoption Congress Convention/ Adoption Network Conference. I also presented a session called Finding Family- about my search for my biological parents and the present day relationship. In June 2010, I will present a session at the UMDF Symposium about blogging and journaling as a form of self expression.
I like to celebrate the every day, and living life simply and fully, is a priority to me. I love spending time with my family at home, enjoying late night dinners on the patio with my husband, reading, playing with yarn - and working on various marketing projects.
My kids are the coolest- Zoe, now 9- has entered the sassy stage of pre-tween-ness. Although I discipline her when needed, I think a little sassiness is especially good for the challenges she faces each day. She loves to dance in her walker and speed ahead in her pink power wheelchair when we are out and about. She has a tremendous sense of humor and a huge heart. Her hugs are legendary. Olivia, 11, loves to hang out with me in libraries and book stores, loves to read- is a sweet,smart, ten going on 16 year old who likes to pick out my clothes for important occasions and covets my Mac notebook.
We spend a lot of time at home, with Max, our service dog, golden retriever and Frankie our cuddly Bernese Mountain Dog.
Like most families, my husband and I work hard.. which steals hours of our time yet keeps us focused on providing for our family, and planning for our future.
My stories on this blog, can be lengthy- but they are written from the heart, and each detail an emotion from within. If my words have touched you, please comment or email- feedback is always awesome!
