The Creation Story
I had always had "Sonrisa" hanging up in my dorm room in college or doodled on pieces of paper tucked in my textbooks. I never veered too far from the dream of one day owning my own company and becoming a healer, trainer, and author.
I was working hard at building a robust policy strategy career, when everything changed...
My Story
I was working as a political strategist for the lobbysit team at a large Fortune 500 healthcare company when I had a near death experience and stopped breathing for 30 seconds. When I came to, I was at my husband's friend's house, squad called, the whole nine. "Eat more bananas," the nurse said, and sent me on my way.
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When your spirit leaves your body and comes back, it doesn't come back in the same way it leaves. There's an adjustment period. Mine was 26 weeks on medical leave. I had to relearn how to walk -- and ultimately how to be in my body again.
While I was out on medical leave, I became pregnant. Naturally, while I was fighting to take care of myself, why not add growing another human to the mix? Happy to say, I gave birth to my son, who is happy, healthy, safe, and cozy. He's seven now, so the story continues well.
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I fell through the cracks.
As I was working through the logistics about my medical leave, I did not know this at the time, but you have to exhaust your FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) before you roll into your short-term medical leave. This all happened fluidly and without issue. I worked with my benefits team who were wonderful and completely supportive. My medical team helped create a space for healing and adjustment.
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When I became pregnant, I was expecting that I would be able to take my FMLA for maternity leave...but I had already used it for my own leave. I didn't have any time left. I remember the conversation still:
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HR Representative: "You're just out of time. We will always hire you back, but there's nothing we can do for you at this time." [Click]
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And that was it. I was done with my brilliant health policy career. Onto the next... Of course, I published an article about it on PartyPolitics with Atiba Madyun. You can read it here.
Contact
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect.
614-202-2198