Diane Rose, Model Healthy Survivor

A picture is worth a thousand words. But what if you can't see the picture? It didn't stop Diane Rose.

Periodically I use this blog to introduce you to model Healthy Survivors, such as Randy Pausch (before he became well-known from his famous "Last Lecture" at Carnegie Melon).

Today's post introduces you to a middle-aged firecracker of a seamstress who did not let glaucoma-induced blindness stop her from making the world of others more beautiful. Diane Rose of Waco Texas offers us many lessons on Healthy Survivorship. Here are a few hints from Diane about finding happiness after loss:

• You may need to open your eyes and mind to new activities and outlooks, ones you've never considered before.
• Be circumspect about calling something impossible before you try it.
• Whether your losses are obvious or invisible to others (such as loss of energy or loss of libido), you can feel whole again, sometimes even more whole than before.
• Use hopeful, healing language. Diane calls her blindness an "inconvenience." 
• Your loss may be sad, but you don't have to feel sad all the time.
• Although you may not be able to see all the gifts you give others, trust that your words and actions have the power to make others' lives better in some way. 
• Looking outside yourself and helping others can help you, even if the only way you can help someone is by giving them a hug.

There is life after loss. Make it a good life.

Comments

[Andrea Gauthier]

Oh, thank you. Every single line is a gem. To be read again and again.

[Deb Konrad]

Thanks for sharing this incredable womans story...going through a tough time with my NHL, but her story is so inspiring and put a smile on my face this morning!

[Jody Schoger]

This is beautiful. "An inconvenience." A perfect way to start the day.

Hugs,
Jody