Who Am I?

Who am I? The answer to this question depends on when you met me. If you know me from before I was chronically ill, you know a different person from the person I am today. Before I was a corporate ladder climbing career woman. I was involved in a variety of activities. I also had an amazing collection of high heels to go with all those power suits. It didn't hurt that I passed a number of DSW's on my way home from work.

Then I got sick. A diagnosis was a long time coming. I got passed from specialist to specialist. I lost one activity and then another. It only took about 6 months to lose my job. That was my low point. I felt like I had lost everything. I still didn't what was wrong with me.

The period of time between losing my job and being diagnosed is one of the darkest periods in my life.

But then I was diagnosed. And I began to get treatment (for the record I have an autoimmune and fibromyalgia). With treat I was able to have some functional days. I began to do stuff again. I discovered new hobbies, one of which was burlesque.

I stumbled upon it because of a friend. I began to attend shows in my area and events. At one show a two hour intro class was offered. I have two hours. Might be fun. It turned out to be life changing. It was exercise, but not exercise. It required movement and balance, two things I was lacking at the time. Burlesque was fun and of course a little naughty.

I signed up for classes. My stamina improved. So did my self confidence! But did I have the courage to get naked on stage? Not at first. I worked up to that. Six months after that intro class I performed for the first time. What a rush!!

Burlesque isn't just about the physicality or the adrenalin rush of performing. It turns out to be a pretty kick ass community. It's full of creative and crazy talented people. It's full of caring, supportive people. In some cases they have become adopted family. My life is so much fuller because of burlesque.

Who am I? I am a daughter, a sister, a wife. I am someone with a chronical illness. I have a wide variety of interests and hobbies. I am a burlesque performer. Even with a chronical illness I can still be a lot of things.

So the question is, who do you want to be?