My Brain Week One

Painting by Neva Bruce

My brain Week #1

So it pays to read all of the instructions.... All about me.

A short biography. 

Blue eyed, blonde
Born at 6lbs 15oz in the fall on the prairies into a family of five. 

Fast forward to now.

Blue eyed -no contactsNot so blonde (gray with highlights and low lights to be honest)

Married, son and two dogs (training one to be a service dog)

Residing in BC since 1986

I am a Registered Nurse with many years of experience in health care, working in both public and private institutions; across the health care continuum from acute care, critical care, occupational health and wellness, through to home health. The most significant roles include wife, mother, sister, aunt, friend and colleague. I have served in the community on various boards and ad hoc committees, involved in RACA (Richmond Arenas Community Association), RAM (Richmond Association for Montessori), PAC (Parent Advisory Council), and as a parent advisor on a school closure committee in School District #38.  All forms of art, including music, painting, pottery and dance, as well as skiing and cooking for dinner parties are part of my time well spent. I am passionate about nursing, ethical care, health literacy for patients, clients and adolescents and have lots of time for seniors and dogs. 

Why HEAL?

I have been a life long learner, with a keen eye, and a kinesthetic sense, I have learned much in my life thus far. I grew up when there were no organized sports, except figure skating. We were out running, playing ball, catch, street hockey, and hide and seek. Dinner was on when my sister whistled for us from blocks away. As an adolescent I skated and skiied and took Karate; even got my yellow belt and then nursing got in the way with shift work, dismantling my routine. Through, work experience, relationships, becoming a parent, life lessons and suffering significant loss in my life, HEAL seemed a good fit. Further to that, my previous professional role was focused on health literacy; sourcing and providing health information and self management strategies in a manner that is accessible and understandable. With a large number of immigrants in Richmond, we have ongoing challenges in educating our community members. HEAL (Health Education and Active Living) was of interest to me as I want to expand my knowledge base and utilize the formalized curriculum for the population that I serve. In my experience, learning has a way of leeching into all facets of our own life and I'm looking forward to the journey.

Mind Body and Health

My understanding and belief around the Mind body connection and physical health is that they are integral and inseparable. When I reflect on this, I think about Olympic athletes and how they train; just as hard psychologically as they do physically. They develop mental toughness and perseverance as well as physical stamina and strength. So many people that I have known and cared for have survived longer than expected and have managed seemingly insurmountable physical trauma and illness in part due to their ability to utilize their mind to transform their life and improve their health.

"The idea that our minds and emotions play a critical role in our health - a fundamental premise in integrative medicine-is far from new. Many ancient healing systems emphasize the interconnection between mind and body in healing, including Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, who taught that good health depends on a balance of mind body and environment."

http://www.bravewell.org/integrative_medicine/philosophical_foundation/mind_and_body_connection/

To Give and to Gain 

My hope is that my years of work and life experience will assist the cohort with a varied perspective, as much as I will garner from them. Retraining my brain and my ability to relearn in a positive way, increasing my neuroplasticity, and committing to doing something for myself are some of the goals within HEAL for me.

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