While I was interested in the arts in high school and even helped a friend write a stage play, I wasn’t interested in writing in any form, which included class reports. I didn’t even have a diary! In my family, I wasn’t allowed to express myself so my thought was: “Why bother?” This question stayed with me throughout my early adult life. It wasn’t until I was in my mid-thirties, did someone dare challenge this deeply rooted way of thinking.
I’m in my mid-thirties, sitting in the examining room waiting for my three-month checkup. I was reading a book when I heard the door open. My doctor smiled at me as he sat down. He crossed his legs and asked what I was reading. I showed him the book cover. He read it out loud then asked me how I was feeling. How do I describe the heavy contemplation I was experiencing? I chose my words carefully; I expressed I was extremely bored. I asked if he had any suggestions for a 35-year-old woman who might be dealing with my circumstances.
- Although I was disabled, I was too young to attend the senior center.
- The local movie theater was no longer open during the day.
- Playing numerous video games on my Atari no longer held my attention.
- Most of my friends worked and the ones who didn’t… were in worse physical shape than I was.
- While I hosted a weekly support group, at my home, I didn’t know what to do with myself the other days of the week.
- I was on the Dean’s List with a 4.0-grade point average for two semesters when attending college classes, but had to drop out due to being sick.
To my amazement, my doctor suggested I take up writing. He said I had a prolific way with words. What would I write about,” I asked. He suggested that I write fiction where I could make up my own stories and get lost in my creations.
I joined an online writing group and started writing. I loved sitting and creating a story line in my head! I loved the fantasies that I could dream up. It took me four to five months to finish my first novel.
I sent query letters to twenty publishing houses and received twenty rejection letters. Then an online friend suggested that I self-publish. I did, and sold over 300 copies! It was mostly to people I knew but it fueled me to keep writing. I even tried my hand at article writing and started making money at it.
When my primary care doctor challenged me to look past the circumstances in my life, a new life began for me! I will forever be grateful.
While I still write, I have switched to writing non-fiction. I write numerous blog articles and I am currently working on my latest book on how I live with a rare brain disorrder.
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We hope you enjoyed reading Gloria’s story. She is an inspiration to many. If you are a writer with a disability and dream of being an author, do not let your circumstances hold you back. Find your work around in life and never let anyone judge your journey.
To purchase a copy of Gloria’s book Healing from the Hurts in Your Life Workbook click on the image below.
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