Strength to me isn’t always about the fight but about what you learn while fighting, not only for those affected but their families and friends. I have several people in my family, a dad who died of kidney cancer 6 years ago, two brother in laws who died and left my sister a widow twice, a brother now fighting and his wife also fighting breast cancer…and a mother in law also with breast cancer. It has hit us hard and makes us all more aware of the signs and symptoms of not only cancer but other conditions and disease. We have learned to FIGHT for our right to better health by going in for check ups when in the past we were very nonchalant…thinking we were still so young and it could NEVER hit us! (one of my brother in laws was only 24 when cancer took him). Too many people turn the other way and think they can do nothing to help. People do not know what to say. People think their meager dollars of donation could not possibly help because it is not enough…so they don’t do anything. Cancer…breast cancer and other cancers or disease WILL affect you or someone you love at some point if it hasn’t already. So for me, someone who deals with other chronic illness that has taken me to my knees and left me with young children who have never really known the REAL me, I have to say strength is not only about fighting to survive but to be a catalyst and a voice to let others know how to support and walk with those on this incredibly hard journey. Strength is in JUST SAYIN’ and not going quietly in the night without telling everyone you know to get on board and FIGHT too!

Strength is also about moving forward with your life when You have lost something precious… The strength to carry on…
I faced similar situation when my Dad left our family yet my Mum single-handled raised me up as a decent person. This is strength showing its true form…

When it comes to strength, the physical aspect is just as important as the mental. On Christmas Eve 2008, I suffered a bad fall down the subway stairs at Queen and Yonge. I had a terribly back injury that left me in constant pain. Unable to move around or sit for long periods of time, I quit my full-time job to work from home. While I was in physio, I started my company - Red Juice Media. It’s been nearly two years since I had my accident, and in that time I’ve had to push really hard to keep going and realize my goals for this company. I’ve never gone back to work at another company, and running my own has been a challenge in the form of 20-hour days and 7-day work weeks, along with financial responsibilities. Sometimes I’ve wanted to throw in the towel, but I’ve kept pushing, and this year we’ve reached goals I never thought possible.

While my back still isn’t 100% back to normal, I keep exercising and hope that things improve soon. In the meantime, I’m celebrating some great successes with my company and keep on pushing to get to the next level!

thank you for the response Julie, truly inspirational!

A month ago I was told I have Pulmonary Fibrosis a lung disease that is incurable. There is no treatment and life expectancy at time of diagnosis is 3-5 years. I have 8 grandchildren whom I probably won’t be around to see graduate, marry or have children. I’m writing a book with special chapters to each one containing everything I would say and hopes and dreams I have for them. This way I will be with them dueling those special times in their lives. Hopefully I can instill values in them that will serve them well as they become adults.