My partner John and I recently enjoyed a beautiful three-week getaway in New Zealand and Sydney.  Travel used to be so scary, but as I fly longer and longer distances, it's an absolute joy and adventure discovering different lands and people.  In fact, it's one of our top priorities. One beautiful morning in Sydney's Circular Quay, we boarded a ferry to see the zoo.  I immediately noticed a woman using a crutch, joining us with difficulty.  I thought "Good for you.  You're one ...

"Once a dancer, always a dancer!" That's what I told a new generation of ballerinas at the University of California at Irvine, when I received a dance degree from my wheelchair. It had been 23 years since a ballet injury at that school had triggered Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) in my right leg. Twenty five years into this chronic pain illness -- which over time has spread throughout my entire body -- strangers still ...

My abandonment issues began in 1969, when my father jumped off of a bridge to his death. I was the middle child of five and quickly began to play a "mother" role to my siblings. I believe it was in part the trauma of my father's death that brought me to my life partner, John. John's commitment has remained absolute for nearly 28 years. I've always known that he would never abandon me, no matter what, and ...