Today's Woman October 2016

oman

TODAY’SW OCTOBER 2016 / CONTENTS

SWEAT NO MORE p6 IT’S CALLED URBAN BEEKEEPING p22

VOLUNTEER FOR THIS p12

Dressing for Tailgating p10

Fighting to Keep Moving p46

Don’t Let This Happen to Your Marriage p38

It’s an Outrage

KEEPING UP WITH ALICE BRIDGES p30

p40

Belly Dancing Healed Me p44

Helping Kids Through Grief p8

Have You Been Here? p22

Adult Ice Pops p34

What Works for Skylar Smith p6 WATCH THEM ON HGTV p42

FLYING HIGH, FEELING GOOD p48 Her Favorite Fitness Accessory p44

HER DERBY FINESSE p10

Biggest Decision of Her Life p33

A Hearty Breakfast Casserole p36

Advice Every Woman Needs

HER HAPPINESS GENERATOR p38

p12

24

Lovely Things p14

LET GO p34

Lift Your Spirits p26

SEEING BEAUTY IN BUGS

Breast Cancer Supplement 2016

Guide Book

Breast Cancer

p40

Rise Above Depression p24

Sponsored by

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Breast Cancer Supplement after p32

OCTOBER 2016 • VOL. 26 / NO. 11

PUBLISHER Cathy S. Zion publisher@todayspublications.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Anita Oldham editor@todayspublications.com EDITOR Tiffany White tiffany@todayspublications.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Lucy M. Pritchett Miranda G. Popp miranda@todayspublications.com PHOTOGRAPHER/FOOD WRITER/ PHOTO EDITOR Melissa Donald melissa@todayspublications.com ASSISTANT EDITOR/DESIGNER Jessica Alyea jessica@todayspublications.com OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Amanda Peyton officeadmin@todayspublications.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Susan Allen susan@todayspublications.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Kaitlyn English kaitlyn@todayspublications.com

SEARCHING FOR GOOD SPIRITS W

Georgianna Dotson says a training program called Livestrong changed her life (p.12 of Breast Cancer Supplement).

hile we have fun with the dark drama of Halloween this month, many are coping with something that is truly frightening. Depression and anxiety can take ahold of even the most positive of us at times. Sometimes the thoughts and feelings call for a therapist or doctor, and sometimes they call for action. We hope some of the stories in this issue will help you take the next step toward becoming your best and healthiest self.

If you need help or encouragement, read our Coping With Depression story (p.24) or our 10 Ways to Lift Your Spirits (p.26). Jess Marquardt, our cover girl, fought her mental battle with physically daring feats (p.48) and women with Parkinson’s disease literally put on boxing gloves to fight their battle (p.46). Get inspired by the spirit of women who have fought a tough physical and mental fight with the help of others, by reading our breast cancer survival supplement (after p.32).

ON THE COVER:

Jess Marquardt is a circus performer who is looking to merge circus and compassion to reach those who need something new in their lives. Read more about her on page 48.

Photos: Melissa Donald

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Teri Hickerson teri@todayspublications.com Suzy Hillebrand suzy@todayspublications.com Joyce Inman joyce@todayspublications.com GRAPHIC DESIGNERS April H. Allman april@todayspublications.com Kathy Bolger kathyb@todayspublications.com Jennifer Wilham jennifer@todayspublications.com STYLIST Alissa Hicks alissa@todayspublications.com CIRCULATION MANAGER W. Earl Zion Today’s Woman is published monthly by: Zion Publications, LLC 9750 Ormsby Station Road, Suite 307 Louisville, KY 40223 Phone: 502.327.8855 todayswomannow.com The opinions expressed herein are exclusively those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the position of the publisher. Today’s Woman magazine does not endorse or guarantee any advertiser’s product or service. Copyright 2016

by Zion Publications LLC, all rights reserved.

Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited without permission from Zion Publications LLC.

ADVERTISE: Call 502.327.8855 or email advertising@todayspublications.com.

REPRINTS: Call 502.327.8855 or email reprints@todayspublications.com.

SUBSCRIBE: Send $18 to the above address for 12 monthly issues.

BBB RATING

OCT 2016 / TODAY’S WOMAN

WHAT WORKS

WHAT WORKS FOR SKYLAR SMITH

S

ometimes artist Skylar Smith works small and intimate and sometimes she works large and public. In her own private art world, the work often deals with biology and the growth patterns of plants and animals. “I have a scientific interest,” she says. “Studying micro- and macroscopic imagery. Exploring patterns and similarities.”

In the public world, she is assistant professor at Kentucky College of Art + Design (KyCAD) at Spalding University and was recently involved with the community mural project in the SoBro (South of Broadway) neighborhood. The mural,

designed by KyCAD student Lionel Jones, offered an opportunity for volunteers to come together to paint the 90-foot by 16foot mural on the brick building at 2nd and Kentucky Streets on Spalding’s campus.

SEARCH: Skylar Smith

What is inspiring her today is thinking of how women have been involved in politics throughout history, and she is embarking on creating a series of paintings that explores that idea.

What works for Skylar reflects her artist’s path and her way of spicing up her vegetarian meals.

Skylar and her two daughters work on one of Skylar’s large canvas abstracts in her basement studio.

DALER ROWNEY ACRYLIC INKS “These are an acrylic artist ink manufactured in England. The inks are water resistant so they don’t bleed.

They are permanent and create a nice line. I can layer them and make the color opaque or add water for a more watercolorlike effect. The inks can be used on paper, wood, or canvas.”

Botox for Sweating SEARCH: Sweating

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By Lucy M. Pritchett Photos Patti Hartog

OCT 2016 / TODAY’S WOMAN

By Alissa Hicks

For an effective treatment option for overactive sweat glands in the palms of hands, soles of feet, or in the armpits Botox can help. While it’s definitely the more pricey option, Kaitlyn Hicks, APRN of Dermatology Specialists Research, adds that “keeping up with regular intervals of Botox injections could lead to longterm results which is appealing to many people seeing that topical methods of treatment are not very practical if you suffer from sweaty palms or feet.” There are also homeopathic methods to be tried for temporary relief.

“It’s best to talk with your doctor about your individual issue to see what option of treatment is best for you,” says Kaitlyn.

SURVIVAL SKILLS

HELPING KIDS COPE WITH GRIEF

SEARCH: Candice Evans

By Marie Bradby Photo Melissa Donald

“W

hen I tell people that I provide grief and loss counseling for children, they say, ‘How terrible.’

It’s not terrible at all. I come and talk to them during a difficult time in their lives,” says Candice Evans, a licensed clinical social worker and school-based grief counselor with Hosparus in Louisville.

“The students come together with their peers and share their stories of loss and what happened to the person who died. They learn about physical and emotional grief. They learn that it’s not all sad; they can be happy, especially when they have great memories about the person. They are able to express their feelings and learn healthy coping skills (breathing exercises, mindfulness).”

Candice, 31, knew for a long time she would work with people; she shadowed a social worker in high school. In college, she took a course on death and dying and thought, “I’m okay with this.” She completed an internship at a hospice center in St. Louis and took a job working with

families with individuals facing the end of life.

After marrying and moving to Louisville in 2008 to get her master’s degree at the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville, Candice began working at Hosparus in Louisville and eventually took over the school-based “Grief Relief” program for children. Because of donations, Hosparus is able to provide schools with six weeks of counseling, one hour a week, for groups of five to eight kids.

“I ask the kids: Is it a choice to grieve? They say, ‘Yes, it is.’ But it isn’t. If you have a significant loss, you will grieve that loss. They can look like a normal kid, but they can also be sad and angry because their person died. It’s normal to allow yourself to feel.

Here are Candice’s survival skills on helping children cope with grief and loss:

“We open up group with saying your name, who died, and how you feel about coming to group today. They mostly say they are happy to come to group... because they have some place to come talk about it.”

13. All life functions end completely at the time of death. Children may be concerned about whether or not the person who died can feel or think.

It might comfort them to know that when a person dies, they cannot move, breathe, think, or feel.

11. Help children understand the four basic concepts of death so they can fully grieve and better understand what happened.

12. Death is irreversible. In movies, games, and television shows, characters “die” and come back to life.

It’s important that children know that death is permanent.

14. Everything that is alive eventually dies. Children, just as adults, struggle with the concept of death.

Help children to understand that dying is a part of life for all living things, including plants, animals, insects, and people.

15. There are physical reasons why someone dies. Children who are not told how the person died may come up with their own explanation, which can cause guilt or shame.

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OCT 2016

16. Use concrete words to explain death to children. Adults often use phrases like “went to sleep” and “resting” to avoid frightening children. Use the words “died” and “dead” to avoid confusion. A child who is told the person is “sleeping” may become afraid to go to sleep, or they might watch the surviving parent as they sleep to make sure he or she doesn’t die.

17. Provide support over time. Not all children who have experienced a loss due to death need counseling, but all children who have experienced a loss due to death can benefit from education and a lifetime of support.

18. Demonstrate grieving by letting children see you cry, talking about the person who died, and seeking support.

19. Allow younger children to express themselves through normal play, drawing, looking at pictures.

Younger and older children may benefit from being with peers and receiving support in a group setting.

10. Help children preserve memories (create a memory book) and create new ones through sharing of memories or rituals, such as lighting a candle in memory of the person who died.

DOs and DON’Ts of Dressing for a Tailgate

TURNING POINT

PART TIME POSITION TO DERBY DIVA

By Lucy M. Pritchett Photo Patti Hartog

By Alissa Hicks Photo Melissa Donald

O

ften a turning point in one’s life comes by simply answering a help wanted ad. And when the position being advertised is at an historic Louisville venue then, as in the case of Marigene Witten, it takes you from college admissions counselor to manager of The Mansion, the privatest of private spaces at Churchill Downs.

What is appropriate tailgate attire and how do you show your team spirit while still maintaining your stylish ways. Here are some tips to try this season!

DO…

Wear your team colors or mascot. Whether you’re yelling ‘C-A-T-S’ or cheering on the Cards, keep it simple in a tee or tank that shows your team pride. Don’t forget that denim is always a good staple with a mascot tee.

“I was looking for another part-time position and thought it might be fun to work at Churchill Downs.”

DON’T…

Overdo the team spirit thing. Stick to one or two items showing your team loyalty. There is a fine line between spirited and tacky.

As it happens, Churchill Downs was looking for a person to fill a position in guest services.

Marigene replied to its online posting. “It was 2005 and a new section, the Finish Line Suites, had just opened, and I became concierge for that venue. I think it was because I could pronounce concierge (con see airzh) correctly that I got the job,” she says with a laugh.

When The Mansion opened in 2013, Marigene stepped into the position of manager.

The Mansion is typically only available for the Oaks and Derby and provides its guests with the ultimate — and pricey — Churchill Downs experience.

And just as she catered to her college-seeking students and their families, Marigene coddles her Derby Day and Oaks Day clients. She shows finesse: she once arranged for the rightsized hotel bed for a guest at 11:30 the night before Oaks.

She is a proficient juggler: each Derby, one guest ships four or five hats directly to Marigene which she then delivers to the woman’s hotel. And talk about

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OCT 2016 / TODAY’S WOMAN

DO… Opt for just the team’s colors.

It’s okay to not wear a shirt with a Kentucky Wildcat on it — wearing blue and white is perfectly acceptable. This is always a good option for those who like to keep it more stylish than spirited.

DO…

courage? She had to turn away 6-foot-4 New England Patriot’s quarterback Tom Brady at the door. He was looking for friends but didn’t have a ticket to The Mansion. So sorry, Tom. You can’t come in.

Turning from college campuses to Churchill Downs has proven to be a gratifying move for Marigene.

SEARCH: Marigene Witten

Wear a dress if that’s your thing. This is the South, after all, and we do tend to dress it up a little more for our sporting events. If you choose a dress, keep it within the team colors to show your spirit. Also, avoid heels; stick to sandals or flats.

DON’T… forget that you can show your team spirit with accessories, as well.

“I do look for opportunities and am willing to go into an adventure,” Marigene says.

“Doors have opened up for me throughout my life. And I am willing to try something new.

I try to stay receptive to change because I don’t know what it might bring.”

SEARCH: Team Spirit

DON’T STAY STUCK

By Brigid Morrissey Photo Patti Hartog

Amy Jo Goforth (left) and Carrie Anne Foster merged their talents to create Merci Bouquet.

C

arrie Ann Foster says, “...Don’t stay stuck in something you are miserable in. And this especially holds true for creative folk. It nearly killed me trying to fit myself into that perfect corporate box for all those years. I was a flower in the middle of the desert. And I was shriveling and wilting. Don’t let yourself wilt. Find what makes you happy and at least try to make it work. You won’t believe how much your life will change.”

Carrie Ann Foster and her business partner, Amy Jo Goforth, opened Merci Bouquet, a wedding services company using Amy’s experience as a

SEARCH: Merci Bouquet

floral designer and Carrie Ann’s artistic experience as a graphic designer.

Not that Carrie Ann regrets the career path she has taken. “Apart from the obvious truth that experience is cumulative, and that you gain knowledge and confidence with every new venture, you really start thinking about your future after a while. I was posed with the questions, ‘Is THIS really what I want to do every day for the rest of my working life?’ and ‘Do I want to keep working for other people?’ The answers were no and no.” Carrie Ann and Amy have hopes to acquire their own venue space one day.

“I’m proud of Amy and myself, because there has been much more adversity to overcome than we ever expected. Start ups throw lots of financial hardballs at you in the beginning.

It’s tough. You have to really want it to succeed.”

Finding this place was the best thing that happened to us after the owner of our previously booked venue refused to answer any of our calls or emails after giving us completely stupid excuses.

The coordinator at the wedding venues did a wonderful job.

— Lone Facet via TodaysWomanNow.com

Help Build Strong Children

By Megan S. Willman Photo Submitted

SEARCH: Metro United Way

…by becoming a Reader Tutor Mentor Felicia Young, who serves as the associate manager of volunteer engagement at Metro United Way, keeps the following quote from Frederick Douglass on her phone and computer: “It’s easier to build strong children than it is to repair broken men.” Metro United Way programs identify problems early on, and with the help of volunteers, raise strong and healthy children. Felicia hopes that many in our community will want to assist with this important task.

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OCT 2016 / TODAY’S WOMAN

How to become a reader tutor mentor

Individuals meet with the children weekly to read with them, help with homework, and talk about good study habits. Educational experience is not necessary, but the commitment to being there for that child is essential.

Time Commitment: 1-2 hours a week.

Go to MetroUnitedWay.org or call 502.292.6112

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THE RIGHT WAY TO GO TO LONDON

By Torie Temple

T

SEARCH: London Pass

Photos Submitted

he Royal Family, afternoon tea, and Harry Potter might be a few thoughts that come to mind when London, England, is mentioned. But you might also think of how expensive a proper English vacation must be. Luckily, Denise Manecke discovered a way to see all of London’s sites that saved money and time.

Denise knew exactly where she wanted to visit during her trip, as she had researched sites on her computer before her journey began. That’s how she found a pass that had big advantages.

“I am a crazy internet research person when I am about to take a trip, and I wanted to see all the normal tourist sites,” she says.

“So I got the London Pass that allowed me to see all of the sites.”

Purchasing a London Pass gives sightseers a choice of more than 60 attractions, museums, and tours at a discount with the privilege of not having to wait in lines. The entry fees to the sites and transportation costs are included in the price of the pass.

“With the pass, you can use the double-decker bus that you catch right outside the hotel,” Denise says. “The pass also helped out with the lines because you get to go in a separate line. When we

went to the Windsor Castle, there was a line around the building, but we got to skip all that and walked right in.

“What I also liked about the pass was that it allowed you to do things you may not have had on your list. We got to go on a river cruise on the Thames and go under all the bridges. There was also a cruise where you could see all the places the Harry Potter movies were filmed. The pass also paid for my train ride back to the airport.”

Even without the London Pass, transportation is never a problem when you stay where Denise did.

“I really liked staying at the Hilton at Paddington Station,” she says. “I stayed with two other people, and we had a suite that was separated so that you had your own entrance and bathrooms. The hotel is right off the train station — it is actually a train stop.

You can take a direct route from the airport to the hotel. When you get off the train, you go through the station, and you are in the hotel.”

It’s Called Urban Beekeeping Three years ago, Kelli McAllister Bailey decided she wanted to embark on a new adventure. She didn’t book a plane ticket — she took on a new life right in her small, urban backyard. “I decided I wanted to be a beekeeper.”

SEARCH: Urban Beekeeping

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OCT 2016 / TODAY’S WOMAN

With that, Kelli got to work doing her research. She first attended the Kentuckiana Beekeeping Association’s field day and was even more sure she wanted to make this happen. “It takes a lot of research. For about six months I read books, talked to other beekeepers, and even had someone out to assess my yard.” Kelli, who lives in the Clifton neighborhood, says she has a

By Alissa Hicks Photo Melissa Donald

tiny backyard but that beekeeping doesn’t always take a lot of space. “You can pretty much keep them anywhere. It’s called urban beekeeping.”

Kelli also works for the Food Literacy Project where she teaches kids about vegetables and harvesting, as well as cooking with fresh produce using simple healthy recipes.

Before this urban, organic life Kelli leads, she was in what she calls “a mental focus.” “I wasn’t hands-on at all in the first half of my life. I wasn’t serving the world in the way I wanted to. Now, my partner and I both beekeep together, and I know for sure beekeeping is something I want to do for the rest of my life. It’s a great service to the environment.”

TODAY’S WOMAN / OCT 2016

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In addition to her job, Sarah's marriage, friendships, and her ability to mother her children are affected by her depres­ sion. It steals the energy she might invest in going on dates with her husband. \V'hen it comes to friendships, Sarah says, "I find it hard to be upbeat and also feel like it's hard for my friends to relate to me." As if depression isn•, bad enough, it also invites worry. Sarah frets about what her depression does to her children. Alex and Max. 0 J worry that they are only going IO remember me as bei11g sad," she admits.

some clinicians consider co be on 1he depression spectrum.

Women who have been suffering the vegetative symp­ toms of depression, such as altered sleep and appetite, low energy, negative thinking, decreased concenrration, and decreased ability to e11joy pleasure, may be hesitant to seek ouL the care of a psychiatrisc. Oespite increased awareness of depression, there remains a stigma for many women about seeing ;•a shrink. 11 Frankel says, "My bias is to have somebody see a psychiatrist first. In my mind, you always wanc to start with a really good medical evaluation" since it can rule out other illnesses.

Jenny caffrey, a licensed massage therapis,, was diagnosed wifh depression in t997 when she was 24 years old. She had a toddler, a full-time job, and had just recovered from Jenny Nord is a local woman whose other medical condi­ mononucleosis when she found that she could no longer tions worsened her depression. Although she had srruggled , function the w;iy she normally had. She says, ·'1 couldn t get with depression periodically since college, she noticed an back to who l was used to being.'' By the time she was sent to iniensificacion in her symptoms and in August 2013 was a psychiatrist,Jenny says, di()gnosed wirh Hashirnoro's uI Wi1S at .i point whereI disease, which causes the im­ My bias is to have somebCJ.Jy didn't care what I had to do mune system to attack the thyroid, to feel like myself again." see a psychiatrist first. In rendering il underactive. It is not In the early course of uncommon for a fluctuation in my mind, you always want her rreatmem, Jenny hormones, whethe, from disease or says she wasn't educated a naturi!1ly occurring phenomenon to start with a really good about depression. She (Like perimenopause), to set off or had chc stigma of the aggravate depressive symptoms. medical evaluation. , , disease in her mind and When jc comes to symptoms, felt chat ic was hec fault Frankel says, "The history of a , chat she couldn't conirol her brain. She began taking Prozac patient is imponant in making a diagnosis . and demands bul didn't feel that it was working. Several times she told the psychiatrist get a sense of the patient's '1 baselin.e" or her therapist and psychiatrist, 11 l'm not getting any beuer. 1 1 "normal." Frankel says it is also important to look a, the Afier a suicide a1tempt and hospitalization, she began co patient's social history: 11 Are there stressors that precipi­ research ocher medication options and eventually demanded tated it? Is there abuse going on?Is there substance abuse?" that her psychiatrist try a different one.

One of 1he biggest changes in treating depression in recent Jenny has gotten pretty good at recognizing when her years is 1he use of genetic cesring to help psychiatrists medica1ion isn't working as well as ii once did. ShewiLI have choose the best medication for their patiencs. While abou, crying fits that she just can't get over and her fuse is shorter, 70 percent of patients respond to some rype of medication, but she says, "It doesn't get nearly as out of hand as it did" there are many categories from which doctors can choose, when she was in her 20s. from selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRls) to One of the mos, important things Jenny has done for cricydics to augmentation with alypicals. "Genetic restherself is find varied coping tools that help her manage ing helps us identify those patients who may metabolize her depression. She does meditacion, writes in a journal, meds too rapidly or people who metabolize too slowly, or practices positive self-calk, and attends workshops. She has on which medicines they might have side effects," Fran­ also educated her spouse and adult child to know how to help kel says. While she doesn't do it right off the bat with her when she experiences a Oare-up. Even though she is in a patients, it is definirely an oprion if a patiem hr1s afrer1dy good place right now,Jenny says, "Wh<1t people don'r see is tried a few medicarions and isn't having much success. how much I can just struggle on a daily basis."

As much as depression can tinge a woman's outlook to Oepre�sion is actually a spectrum of disease and spans a appe.ar bleak and hopeless, the horizon i.s increasingly wide range, according to Dr. Ora Frankel a psychiatrist at The bright due to newer and better medication options, genetic Couch, ;m immediate mental health care center. testing, and especially 1he willu1gness of women who com(' forward and share their experiences. A� Jenny Nord Depression might resulr from a loss <1nd lr1st a few weeks; says, "l Jm done hiding. Depression isn't who (am.It is it might present as chronic yet slight unhappiness(think what ( have co work on."

Eeyore); it may be a single episode or be recurring, like every wimer, for Pxamplej or it could be hipolar disorder, which

By Keri Foy Photos Melissa Donald ltlustrationsJcnniferWitham

E

verybody's got issues, but it's how you process them that can make all the difference.

While some of us are known Pollyannas, others fall more in line with the Negative Nancy crew. No matter where you identify in the positive-to-negative spectrum, it's good to have a game plan to deal with whatever life hands you - whether it's a shocking cancer diagnosis, a surprise divorce, a child with a life-altering disability, or a mom struggling with a drug addiction.

Meet five inspiring women who identify with the above-mentioned situations. Their lives are different yet difficult in similar ways. But a commonality exists among them they share an attitude to envy and a commitment to stay positive.

None of them, well, except Dee, is always positive. It's something they work on, a state they pursue. Here are ideas that help them look on the bright side.

\Vho Arc Our Po.'>itivc Tb.inkc1·s? � SheU·y King,coregiverfor daughter with spina bifid-0 and ort ins.truc;tor.

Shelly has watched Ryan, her 6-year-old daughter with spina bifida, undergo 29 sutgeries in her short life, including brain, bowel reCQnstruction,and spinal surgeries. Shelly is al.so mom to Riley, 12, and Jude, S. Shelly and her kids spend a lot of time in the hospital. She Is legally certified by the staie to be Ryan's caregiver.

� Stacey E'vans,slnglemom pursuing a degree in nursing.

Staceyw,1s a stay-at-home mom wtio taught fitflcss classes to earn extm money.

When her husband asked for a divorce, she became a full­ time fitness instructor. Whoo the primary gym where she worked closed its doors last December, Stacey decided to apply for nursing S(hoot.

Or. Ke-rri Remmel, M.D.,

Ph.D., (not pkwred) foods the

neurology procb·ce ot llnivetsity ofLouisville Physicians.

Or. Remmel was diagnosed with a rare ro,m or cancer less than 18 months ago. She's c.urrcnt(y in remission.

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OCT 2016 / TODAY'S WOMAN

TODAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WOMAN / OCT 2016

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IN HER SHOES

KEEPING UP WITH ALICE BRIDGES

SEARCH: Alice Bridges

By Yelena Sapin Photo Sunni Wigginton

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woman’s choice of shoes might say something about her, but you need to spend some time walking in them to get a real sense of who she is. Alice Bridges, vice president of healthy communities for KentuckyOne Health and the new president of Rotary Club of Louisville, takes us through a typical day in her shoes. Think you can keep up with this woman on the go?

Living Her Principles Alice starts her day at 6:15am.

She eats a breakfast of oatmeal with fruit and reads the paper before heading out the door. If the day’s agenda doesn’t include a pre-work meeting at one of her go-to coffee shops sprinkled throughout the city, she makes herself a coffee for the road. “I have a lot of morning coffees with people during the week, but I limit myself to one cup a day,” she says.

By 7am she’s at work, getting in an hour of strength training and cardiovascular exercise at her downtown office building’s Healthy Lifestyle Center. “I have recently discovered that I’m more faithful to my exercise routine if I do it first thing in the morning,” Alice says.

The Center is a KentuckyOne Health resource that Alice helped launch last year to bring fitness, nutrition counseling, and health services to the public.

Alice tries to work out there a couple times a week, if not at the beginning then at the end of her workday. Most evenings she also walks around her Crescent Hill neighborhood with her husband, Barry, and dog, Nellie. “My job is very much focused on health and wellness, and I do try, as best I can, to live the principles that we’re espousing,” she says.

Fitting It All In Alice’s position at KentuckyOne is about creating and nurturing connections and

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OCT 2016 / TODAY’S WOMAN

partnerships in the community to help bring about better health outcomes for Kentuckians.

Important components of this effort are preventing violence and improving food access, which involve working together with other community organizations and agencies in support of the vision.

To that end, Alice might be at University Hospital in the morning to meet with KentuckyOne partners in Pivot to Peace, a collaboration to address and prevent violent crime in West Louisville. Afternoon might find her meeting with farmer and restaurateur Ivor Chodkowski at the Iroquois Urban Farm, a KentuckyOne project to transform the former site of the Iroquois Homes housing project in South Louisville into an urban farm that provides fresh vegetables to Louisville hospitals.

Her new responsibilities with the Rotary Club also require her attention. To fit it all in, she might strategize with a Rotary committee chair over coffee at 7:30am, squeeze in a midmorning phone call, or carve out several hours on the weekend to catch up on Rotary business and get ready for the weekly luncheon meeting. “I never thought when I joined 10 years ago that I’d become president,” Alice says. “It’s humbling. And I’m the second female president in the organization.”

Finding Balance To make sure she has enough opportunity to be productive, Alice occasionally blocks off meeting-free parts in her day. “Sometimes I feel like all I’m doing is meeting, so I try to create time to actually do things,” she says. “And I’ve got a laptop, so I’m pretty mobile.

If I end up in a different part of town, I might just finish my day where I am rather than go back to the office, or go home and wrap things up virtually.”

Wherever her day takes her, Alice tries to start heading home around 5pm to have dinner with her husband. She likes to cook on weekends, but during the week, he prepares the meals.

“He’s a great cook,” she says.

“And every week he makes these really awesome energy balls with oatmeal, raisins, and a little chocolate — just enough to satisfy those cravings. I bring one of them along on days I bring my lunch to work.”

After catching up on some work and taking a walk around the neighborhood, Alice and her husband relax by watching a favorite show on Netflix before bed. “Both of us will also generally read in bed for a while, but usually it’s lights out by 10 o’clock. Sleep is very important for health, and I really need my eight hours.”

Alice Bridges works to make this a healthier community.

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A YEAR AFTER

DECIDING TO REMOVE HER BREASTS

By Carrie Vittitoe Photo Melissa Donald

“I’m very happy…”

W

hen I interviewed Lauren Luckett (28) in July 2015 about her risk of developing breast cancer due to her BRCA2 gene, she expected to have a double mastectomy by the end of that year or early 2016. By the time that article was published in the October 2015 issue of Today’s Woman, Lauren was a month out of surgery and well into her recovery.

Ultimately, Lauren just wanted to get the surgery done and remove the cloud of fear that loomed over her at all times. She had watched her mother, Barbara Baumgardner, battle breast cancer for 20 years until her death in January 2015.

Dr. Carter Brown, who removed Lauren’s breast tissue, coordinated the 5-hour surgery with Dr. Alexander Digenis, a plastic surgeon who placed the tissue expanders, which stretch the skin to make way for the final breast implant. When Lauren awoke from surgery, she says, “A huge weight had been lifted,” although she still had to wait for the pathology report to come back. Her father, Dave, who had watched his wife receive numerous positive pathology reports, cried with Lauren when her report came back negative. With that result, Lauren thought to herself, “It’s even more over.”

Lauren was fortunate to have her friend, Kathy Hillerich, and her mother-in-law, Sherry Luckett, care for her as she began her recovery, which allowed Lauren’s husband, Austin, to return to work. For six weeks, Lauren slept in a recliner. She couldn’t lift more than a gallon of milk, nor could she pick up her youngest daughter, Avaley. She says the worst part was the surgical drains, which were stitched on at her sides and very tender.

After a few weeks of healing, Lauren began a months-long process of weekly saline injections or “fills” at Dr. Digenis’ office. She says, “It felt like a little bee sting or pressure.” In February 2016, Lauren had her second surgery, called an “exchange,” when Dr. Digenis removed the expanders and put the implants in place.

She was excited about having the exchange surgery because expanders aren’t very

comfortable. Lauren says some women call them the “iron maidens,” because they are just mounds on the chest that don’t move.

Lauren says the second surgery was much easier, although it did require homework.

She says, “Breast implants look boxy right after surgery,” which required her to massage them and allow six to 12 weeks for gravity to do its work.

Lauren is thrilled by how natural her implants look and is considering having nipples tattooed, although the lack of nipples is actually great. “I kinda love it because I don’t have to wear bras ever again,” she says. She is a member of a Facebook support group called the BRCA Sisterhood, and when she tried to post photos of her surgical results for other mastectomy patients to see, they were removed. “My breasts look so good, Facebook flagged them,” she says.

Of her mastectomy journey, Lauren says, “I am very, very happy with how things are. I just had the most ideal surgery and outcome.” She likes to think that her mom continues to watch out for her and had a hand in her successful surgeries and recoveries. Lauren hopes that other women, whether in the BRCA Sisterhood or Today’s Woman readers, can benefit from her story. She hopes she can allay fears about BRCA risk, mastectomy, and recovery. “It’s fun to relate to people and be useful with my firsthand experience,” she says.

Lauren Luckett (above) after her surgery and before surgery (below) on the cover of Today’s Woman.

SEARCH: todayswomannow.com/p/the-magazine.html OCTOBER 2015 ISSUE

TODAY’S WOMAN / OCT 2016

33

ADULT ICE POPS

SEARCH: Ice Pops

Story and Photo Lindsey McClave

Learn to Move On…

By Bob Mueller We have all been injured emotionally at one time or another, in one way or another — and the bitter urge to strike back becomes our first reaction.

There is a better, more productive route, although it can be emotionally difficult.

The instructions are simple: Move on.

Figure that this, too, shall pass.

Put things behind you. Forget about replacing lost money, ignore a competitor’s below-the-belt blow, and never try to second-guess anything.

Accept what has transpired and move ahead in a positive and dignified way.

Grudges are physically, emotionally, and mentally draining, if not unhealthy. Being driven by revenge affects our hearts and blood pressure. Unproductive emotions are potholes in the road to progress. They limit one’s ability to move forward, to focus, to think positively, and to act creatively.

Time and productivity are wasted.

F

or those who are over 21, ice-pops spiked with liquor make for a fun and frigid cocktail. Being a Kentucky girl, I am always looking for ways to bring bourbon into the kitchen, and I’ve found success here when blending our state’s finest drink with freshly puréed peaches and vanilla-tinged simple syrup. When adding a kick to your ice-pops, simply remember that the nonalcoholic ingredients should make up at least two-thirds of the base mix, as too much liquor will keep the ice-pops from freezing.

Ice-pop molds are available at most kitchen supply chains and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Consider these recipes a jumping-off point.

Watermelon, Strawberry, & Mint Ice-Pops

Makes 8 (¼-cup) ice-pops

¼ watermelon, seeds removed ½ pint strawberries, stems removed and quartered ½ tsp sugar, divided 1-2 sprigs mint, approximately 15 mint leaves

I am particularly fond of the marriage of watermelon, strawberry, and fresh mint. The union of fruits creates an icepop that is just sweet enough, and the flecks of mint add depth of flavor and a welcome herbal note. Learn how to make the Bourbon and Peach one at TodaysWomanNow.com

To not have a reaction to low blows, slights, and petty name-calling may be more than humans can master. Don’t hold back when it comes to emotions.

Let your feelings come out. Getting mad for a brief time is far better than a long and costly plan to get even. Make your reaction fast, furious, and finite. Vent your hurt, your anger, and your frustrations.

Let emotions rip. Then say to yourself, “There, I feel better. It’s over.”

Bob Mueller is vice president of Hosparus.

SEARCH: Bob Mueller

In a blender, purée watermelon with ¼ tsp sugar.

Pour one cup of purée into a bowl and set aside.

Purée strawberries along with ¼ tsp sugar. Add the watermelon purée to the blender along with the mint leaves. Purée until smooth and taste for sweetness. Add additional sugar to sweeten to your preference.

Pour into ice-pop molds and freeze for at least four hours, preferably overnight.

Place ice-pop molds under running water for a few seconds to help remove the ice-pop from the mold.

Serve immediately.

Another uplifting writing from Bob Mueller.

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— Dove Native via TodaysWomanNow.com

TODAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WOMAN / OCT 2016

35

SOUTHERN STYLE BREAKFAST CASSEROLE Story and Photo Paige Rhodes

T

reat your family or guests to a hearty breakfast. This Southern-style breakfast casserole is a perfect choice for company. It can easily be adapted to feed as many people as you need. It can be assembled the evening before and popped in the oven in the morning.

Southern-Style Breakfast Casserole Yields 4 servings

Ingredients For the Biscuits: 1 cup flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/8 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp shortening 1 cup cold whole milk For the Casserole: Biscuits prepared above or half of a 16 oz container of pre-made biscuits, cut in fourths 4 eggs 1/4 cup milk 3/4 cup shredded white cheddar cheese 8 oz country ham, trimmed of fat and diced in 1 inch pieces Salt and pepper to taste Instructions For the Biscuits: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Using your fingertips, two knives or a dough cutter, rub butter and shortening into dry ingredients until mixture looks like crumbs.

Make a well in the center and pour in the milk. Stir just until the dough comes together. The dough will be very sticky.

Turn dough onto floured surface, dust top with flour and gently fold dough over on itself five or six times. Press into a 1-inch thick round and cut into 1 inch squares.

For the Casserole: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a casserole dish with cooking spray. Spread cut biscuits in the bottom

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OCT 2016 / TODAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WOMAN

of the greased casserole dish and distribute the country ham evenly on top.

Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the country ham.

Beat the eggs and milk and pour over the biscuits and ham.

Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes until the eggs are set.

SEARCH: Southern Style Breakfast Casserole

TODAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WOMAN / OCT 2016

37

SEARCH: Scrapbooking

“It is my creative outlet, but it is also sort of like an antidepressant: I think of happy memories when I scrapbook.”

By Carrie Vittitoe Photo Melissa Donald

M

indy Jett, mother of three, began scrapbooking in 1998. She used to spend more time focusing on the finished page layout and would become frustrated if it didn’t meet her expectations.

“Over the last five years, I’ve let a lot of that go,” she says. “I make something pretty if not exactly perfect.”

Love your thoughts on why you scrapbook and I LOVE your ink!

— dparent via TodaysWomanNow.com

Mindy is a wonderful person inside and out.

Her scrapbooks are amazing.

— unknown via TodaysWomanNow.com

Once a month, Mindy Jett meets friends at Adventure Christian Church, where they visit and scrapbook. She also attends overnight retreats with friends at Pieceful Haven and Sew Pieceful Retreat in Crestwood to do her scrapbooking.

Don’t Wait Too Long for Help

SEARCH: Just Ask Joyce

I know firsthand there is such a thing as a fulfilling marriage. It does, however, begin and end with both of you being willing to make adjustments and concessions.

Give time time. A change won’t happen overnight, although you should expect more alteration on the fresher side of a conversation. We humans tend to slide back into our ruts at the first sign of a bump. A noticeable difference should be occurring within a month. If it doesn’t happen, seek professional help shortly thereafter. I find that folks too often wait until so much debris has piled atop a great marriage, it’s hardly recognizable by the time they get to a counselor.

By Joyce Oglesby

Excellent! These issues need to be addressed. Society is changing — and, change can be painful. But, it’s worth the effort!

— Nonna Travels via TodaysWomanNow.com

Struggling with a relationship issue? Send questions to Joyce@justaskjoyce.com

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TODAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WOMAN / OCT 2016

39

Too Many Restrictions on Lung Cancer Screenings

By Cathy Zion, publisher of Today’s Woman As we celebrate the breast cancer survivors in this month’s issue, we give thanks for the advances that have been made in early cancer detection.

These screenings go hand-in-hand with insurance companies’ emphasis that improving people’s health equals fewer insurance claims.

Mammograms have morphed into 3D images providing additional detail particularly for those with dense breast tissue. Genetic testing has become more standardized to determine if a woman has the harmful BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation which leads to increased risk of not only breast cancer but ovarian cancer, as well. Most insurance covers

mammograms for women over 40 and genetic testing for those with a family history of breast cancer.

Colon cancer screenings, while unpleasant, can range from fecal testing to colonoscopies for individuals over the age of 50. If you have a family history, testing could start earlier. Generally, insurance covers these screenings.

However, insurance coverage for low-dose CT scans for lung cancer — which takes more lives than breast cancer and colon cancer combined — is reserved only for those who have been or are heavy smokers. Guidelines specify a “30-pack year” smoking history, which means you would have to have smoked two packs a day for 15 years or three packs a day for 10 years. And you have to be over the age of 55. And if you quit over 15 years ago, no luck getting a scan. How’s that for narrowing the field of those eligible for screening? And if you want to pay for the

AN AFFINITY FOR BUGS

B

lair Leano-Helvey flits around the insectarium like the moths and butterflies that surround her. Dozens of wings flutter and skim the netting of the tents; the butterflies reveal their gorgeous wingspans and copulate freely. Blair, too, bats her wings against their tents as she lovingly tends to them: pouring Gatorade onto paper towels for their nourishment, spraying them down with water, crooning over their beauty and behaviors within as if they were her own children.

“Come here,” she says, motioning to me enthusiastically.

“That is butterfly sex, riiiiight there!” She points. “We love sex here! Look at you,” she croons adoringly to the attached pair.

Then she turns toward me to explain, “If they aren’t mating, there’s no paycheck!”

Blair, 37, has long had an affinity for bugs, but her personal metamorphosis into entrepreneur

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was a lengthy and complicated one. This mother of two was a classically trained violinist in her former life — her pupal stage, if you will. At the University of Kentucky, she earned a degree in agriculture with a specialization in entomology, but she also minored in music and biology.

Out of college, she waited tables and worked in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery offices.

After applying to the University of Louisville’s dental program and being turned down, she decided to pursue her passion: bugs.

Now Blair is the owner and operator of Idlewild Butterfly Farm in Shelby Park. Idlewild is a three-fold business that 1) works with growers to break their addiction to pesticides by introducing beneficial insects into their farming practices; 2) farms butterflies for release for special occasions such as weddings, memorials, and educational purposes; and 3) houses an

scan out of pocket, it will run close to a whopping $2,200!

As a lung cancer survivor, I would not have qualified under these criteria at the time I was diagnosed. Luckily for me, my diagnosis came before insurance companies “covered” these low-dose CT scans and my out-of-pocket cost was only $185. Neither my mother nor brother, who both were diagnosed with lung cancer, would have met these criteria, either.

Twenty percent of people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked.

Family history is not even considered in screening. Kentucky has one of the highest lung cancer mortality rates.

We have got to get the attention of insurance companies to adopt broaderbased criteria so that we can begin to celebrate more lung cancer survivors like our breast cancer survivors.

By Megan M. Seckman Photo Melissa Donald With a background in classical music, Blair’s music tastes are quite diverse.

Visit her butterfly haven in Shelby Park, and you just might hear: • Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart • The Sugarhill Gang • Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Nothing Fancy

SEARCH: Blair Leano-Helvey

insectarium, a USDA-inspected facility that imports insects from around the world to sell to other facilities and educate the public.

“When I started, I had absolutely no idea what was going on, but I think I’ve figured it out,” Blair reflects with a laugh as she hovers over a cage of orchid mantids, watching them devour the flies she just released into their domain.

GOOD BONES

By Yelena Sapin

SEARCH: Good Bones

One House at a Time: A Mother-Daughter Team Revitalizes Their Indianapolis Neighborhood

I

f there’s a gene for can-do spirit, it might be linked to the gene for striking red hair. Home renovating team Karen E Laine and daughter, Mina Starsiak Hawk, share both traits and more, on their HGTV show Good Bones.

About to launch its second season, the show follows Karen and Mina — whose business is called Two Chicks and a Hammer — as they revitalize their Indianapolis neighborhood by buying up rundown houses and transforming them into brand new homes.

In a recent phone interview, Karen and Mina talked about working together, shared thoughts about the renovation process, and offered a little DIY advice. Readers can hear the duo at the KyCPA Women’s Leadership Conference at the Parklands of Floyds Fork in Louisville on November 11.

How did Two Chicks and a Hammer get started?

Mina: When I graduated from college in 2007, Mom helped me buy my first house. We had free time — evenings and weekends — but very little money, so we renovated it together. And right around the same time, we worked on her home office (Karen is an attorney. Then we continued working together on other projects, and it grew from there.

Did you have any prior remodeling experience?

Karen: My parents moved us into an incomplete house when my older sister and I were barely toddlers, so I grew up around renovation. I have three sisters, and my dad always said we can do anything we want to do. My first (college) apartment was an old farmhouse, and I learned how to finish old plaster walls from a guy I was dating at the time.

And I have a defiant thread — I got it from my mother — that makes me look at something and see how it can be something else. It’s how my brain works.

How do you navigate that mother/ daughter relationship while working together and also living next door to each other?

Mina: [laughing] We’re working on it!

Karen: Mina is an adult. I don’t need to mother her anymore. I do correct her grammar, but I correct everyone’s grammar.

What should all homeowners learn how to do?

Karen: Clean gutters.

Mina: Paint. Anyone can do that, even if you can’t cut a line without tape. With all the materials available, it’s an easy and fun thing to do.

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OCT 2016 / TODAY’S WOMAN

Have you discovered anything about yourselves while filming your show last season?

Mina: I’m very controlling, but I always knew that.

Karen: The first season for any television production is stressful for everyone.

And what I discovered is that when I get stressed, I get quiet. When Mina gets stressed, she talks. So it’s the perfect storm: she’s standing there chattering away at the camera, and I’m standing there looking at the camera with dead eyes. So I’ve learned that when I feel overwhelmed or stressed I need to remember to just talk anyway, because it’s boring for people if I’m just standing there looking at the camera.

Mina: I pretty much talk nonstop no matter what, unless it’s really hot. That’s about the only thing that stresses me out.

What is your favorite job on a renovation project?

Karen: My current favorite is matching stain, but that might change. They’re going to let me do some wallpapering soon. That may become my new favorite.

Mina: A big part of my job is sourcing all the materials, and it’s awesome because I get to shop for really cool stuff, and it’s always different. I have all the numbers in my head, so I know that if I can find a nice laminate flooring for a $1.50 per square foot, then I can splurge on tile or sinks.

Is there something you hate to do?

Mina: Finishing drywall.

Karen: And installing countertops.

Those are the two jobs we both swore we would never do again. There are people who are much better at it than we are, and we would literally end up killing each other if we did those jobs together ever again.

The mother and daughter team are giving run-down homes a facelift.

Is there something homeowners shouldn’t tackle?

Karen: You can switch out an outlet or a light switch and put in fixtures, but unless you really know what you’re doing, I wouldn’t mess with a big electric job like rewiring the house to the circuit.

Mina: Moving or removing any structural wall. That’s a big deal, and you can really damage your house if you don’t do it properly.

Are there any projects in your own homes that are on your to-do list?

Mina: I’ve got settlement cracks in my drywall, and there are a couple of holes in my doors from the little stoppers pushing through them. I could definitely use a fresh coat of paint, but there’s no time.

Karen: I have a rod in my closet that fell down two years ago. It’s still down.

We’re just living with it because I haven’t had time to get to it. And the sump pump in my basement is not plumbed to go anywhere, so we drain it into the kitchen sink. When we finished production last year we thought we’d have plenty of downtime to catch up, but it turned out there really is no downtime. Which is great, but I think I’m going to have to hire a handyman.

You can attend the KyCPA women’s leadership conference, no matter what your occupation. Go to kycpa.org. Win tickets — see page 14 (24 Things).

TODAYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WOMAN / OCT 2016

43

BEFORE SHE RUNS

By Megan M. Seckman Photo Sunni Wigginton

C

amille Moseley, 34, and her husband, Shane, took over a local fitness boot camp three years ago just after the younger of their two daughters, Mila, was born with a form of autism. Mila’s processing disorder demanded more attention than Camille’s full-time job at G.E. could provide, so Camille decided to go back to her passion — athletics — and Fit Lou Boot Camp was born. Fit Lou Boot Camp is an all-women boot camp for ages 20-70 that practices Monday through Friday from 5:30-6:30am in two locations, Hogan’s Fountain in Cherokee Park and the Louisville Indoor Racquet Club off Westport Road.

To start your day at 4:15am takes discipline, and Camille has learned to

live a regimented schedule. Not only does she turn in for the night at 8 or 9pm with some help from her blackout curtains, but she also maintains a strict eating plan consisting primarily of chicken and fish, rice and quinoa, steamed green vegetables, and sweet potatoes. Camille eats pre-portioned combinations of these foods five times a day to help with her asthma, allergies, IBS, and to give her body enough energy to maintain her weightlifting practice.

“I’ve found it makes life easier to stick to a plan,” she says. “My daughter’s condition makes it so we have to be very scheduled. I could never say, ‘I think we’ll go to the pool today’ with her. I’ve also found eating to be easier when I have a meal plan. I cook on Wednesdays and Sundays for the whole week, then I portion everything out. It is much more budget-friendly and gets rid of the anxiety, stress, and guilt that comes from eating out.”

Belly Dancing Healed Me

By Brigid Morrissey Photo Submitted In 2006, Raqia Reich fell into a deep depression following the diagnosis of an illness and was pulled out by the inspiring dance. “The mixture of femininity, strength, spirituality, and expression of the soul helped me love and empower myself again. Belly dance is a connection of body and soul, movement from the heart.”

So what’s on Camille’s meal plan before she goes? Five egg whites and one cup of plain oatmeal with cinnamon. And a cup of coffee, of course.

SEARCH: Camille Moseley

“My Apple Watch is my new addiction. Fitness watches can make you obsessive-compulsive as you constantly check your activity, but I like the Apple Watch because it gives me a new activity goal each day and keeps me organized between my daughters’ therapy and social schedules.”

Mental benefits aren’t the only reward. Physically, the dance increases muscle tone and flexibility, and the low impact of the movements are gentle on the back and joints.

“The movements are natural to a woman’s body. Belly dance is for all women, all ages, and all body sizes.”

SEARCH: Belly Dancing

FIGHTING TO KEEP MOVING

SEARCH: Boxing

By Mary Ellen Bianco Photos Patti Hartog

P

at Cain and Maxine (Max) Miller are at different stages of Parkinson’s, a degenerative neurological disease. Their determination to fight back brings them to the gym three days a week. Since starting the program on May 9 they are seeing results quickly.

“Within a matter of weeks, they’re stronger,” says trainer Susan Jamison.

Jamison and Anytime Fitness gym owner Steve Gilland attended a training camp at the Rock Steady gym in Indianapolis.

The program, which includes intense and high energy boxing workouts, was founded in 2006

by Scott C. Newman, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 40.

Pat, age 75, shuffled her feet when she walked, had tremors, and was unable to write before being diagnosed in 2006. She retired as a secretary when the tremors in her arms got worse and no one could read her

Max Miller works out with her friend Judy serving as her “corner man.” Besides the coaches for the group, all the participants work out with their “corner men” partners.

Since joining the first Rock Steady session, Max hasn’t missed a class.

“I just do it. It keeps us where we are and helps us to not get any worse,” she says. “We feel that God has brought us all together.”

handwriting. One of Pat’s biggest challenges is being unable to drive. “I was used to going anywhere that I wanted,” Pat says. “In 2012 I stepped out of bed and realized that my legs didn’t work. That was the last time I drove. I might have been risking the lives of others.”

Pat started Rock Steady in June. “I love it,” she says. “Jim enjoys it, and he knows that I need it.” Pat uses a walker regularly, and she already sees an improvement in how she moves. She worries about falling and Jim encourages her to use her electric scooter more often.

Although the exercises are really hard, Susan told Pat that she wasn’t going to go easy on her.

“I can’t run or jump rope, but Susan is so positive that she said I will be doing both,” Pat says.

“She is an excellent teacher — kind and caring.”

Max Miller, age 69, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s late last year. After recovering from surgery on her heel, Max noticed that she was shuffling her feet, had no energy, and moved slowly.

One day she tried to hop and wasn’t able to. “Our shower has about a four-inch lip to step over, and I couldn’t do it,” she says.

Getting out of a recliner at home had been so difficult that she told (her husband) Norman she needed another one. “The past couple of weeks I can get out. It has to be that my mind is connecting,” she says. Max picks up her feet more easily when she walks and does yard work and chores and feels alert for longer periods. “If I hadn’t gone with the classes I don’t know where I’d be today,” she says.

(Call 812.923.2348 for more information.)

This article is so enlightening, and will bring hope to so many people with Parkinson’s…a chance to reverse the effects of this horrible disease!

— Anonymous via TodaysWomanNow.com

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OCT 2016 / TODAY’S WOMAN

Pat’s corner man is her husband, Jim. Pat builds her strength as she pushes a sled. Her husband Jim and Anytime Fitness owner Steve Gilland encourage her.

Photos Melissa Donald Location Mellwood Art and Entertainment Center and Turners Gym

“I thought I would be afraid of lacing myself in a series of wraps and dropping from 20-plus feet in the air — but it’s invigorating.”

JESS MARQUARDT

Executive director of CirqueLouis (CirqueLouis.com), and an instructor at Turners Circus (LouisvilleTurners.org).

What Are These Places?

“I love (CirqueLouis) because we are building on it every day. The center principle of CirqueLouis is compassion, and it’s so exciting to consider what it means to be a circus who cares, then act on it.” Besides planning programming and reaching out to the public, Jess performs and teaches fire workshops with this nonprofit — just a year-and-a-half old.

“Turners Circus is where I started my circus adventure, so it holds a special place in my heart. It’s a program full of learning and growth.” Jess describes Turners as a bright, wild, and family-centric group of performers. “We have toddlers to great-grandmothers performing under that umbrella, which is absolutely delightful.”

Depression Brought Her to the Circus

“When she was 19, Jessica sunk into depression.

“Anxiety riddled me, and I became a shell of my former self. I dropped to the lightest I’ve ever been in my adult

life, which left me weighing 109 pounds at 5'5".” Around age 24, her doctor told her she had to start working out, so in order to comply, Jessica searched Groupon and ended up in the circus. “Within the first six months, I had gained 30 pounds (of mostly muscle), and I was happy, healthy, and felt free for the first time in what seemed like forever.”

Suggestions for Others in a Similar Situation

“The hardest thing about feeling blue — whatever shade it is, from a bad day to a dark cycle of depression — is that you don’t want to do anything, and that’s the exact opposite thing that you need. You have to get up and do something physical. Your brain and body chemistry are begging for it.

Get someone you care about, try some different activities.

Hit up a yoga studio, go to pilates, take your dog for a walk.

Anything that involves moving will help.“

Best Part

“CirqueLouis goes into Portland a few times a week to work with students there, and it is by far the best part of my week. I love the success in our students’ eyes, or the joy on their tongues when they say, ‘look at me, I’m doing it!’ It fills my heart with joy and pride.”

Check out other fit women at todayswomannow.com

SEARCH: Best Bodies