Turn Devastation into Motivation: The Grass Really Is Greener...

By Britni N. Dunn

Turn Devastation into Motivation delves into the life, thoughts, and experiences of a woman living with more than one disability and how she remains optimistic. Even through adverse times, Britni prevailed. This is a book that journals and explains what the day to day occurrences of living with Multiple Sclerosis and Type I diabetes is like. This self help/memoir is informative, motivating, and inclusive of how Britni has managed to reverse her multiple sclerosis, control her diabetes, body weight, stress, and emotions while living comfortably and healthy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: May 22, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504329781

Britni N. Dunn

Turn Devastation into Motivation delves into the life, thoughts, and experiences of a woman living with more than one disability. This book documents the day-to-day occurrences of living with Multiple Sclerosis and type I diabetes. Britnis' self-help memoir is an informative, motivating, and inclusive guide of how she managed to reverse the symptoms of her MS and controls her diabetes, body weight, stress, and emotions while living comfortably and healthy.

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 Britni N. Dunn.

Cover concept by Tarence LaFall II

Author photo credit - Sheila Upshaw

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This publication is intended to provide helpful information to its readers about the subjects addressed. Neither the author nor the publisher is engaging in rendering medical or health services, making suggestions, or recommendations. The information and services mentioned inside of this publication are based on the authors’ experiences. The reader is encouraged to use good judgment if planning to use the information provided. The author and publisher reserve the right to not be responsible for any damages or injuries caused and liability claims regarding said damages and injuries will be rejected.

Balboa Press

A Division of Hay House

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.balboapress.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5043-2977-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-2979-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-2978-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015904091

Balboa Press rev. date: 05/21/2015

Contents

Authors Note

Introduction

Chapter 1 - Balancing Acts

Chapter 2 - Knowing is half the battle

Chapter 3 - Relationships

Chapter 4 - Shifting Focus

Chapter 5 - Behind the scenes of what is seen…

Chapter 6 - It’s true… You are what you eat

Chapter 7 - Progressive Strength

Chapter 8 - This road does not have to be traveled alone.

Chapter 9 - The Lemonade I Made…

Conclusion - Being stubborn

Thank You

Glossary

Resources

References

Acknowledgements

Cover Design

Tarence Lafall II- CEO of F&F Univercity Clothing

Publishing Company

Balboa Press Publishing

www.BalboaPressPublishing.com

Contact the author

Life & Lemonade

with Britni N. Dunn

[e-mail]

Dedications

I sustain myself with the love of family.

–Maya Angelou

T he decision to write this book was made in loving memory of the most kind and beautiful woman, the Angel in disguise who started me on my path to healthy living the day I was born, my mother Charisse Praileau-Dunn. I love and miss you tremendously. You were my real life Wonder Woman and are in my heart, mind, and life forever. Thank you for being my mother, and teaching me how to be the woman I am.

To my father Larry Dunn. Daddy, you may not know everything like I believed when I was a child, but you do know a lot. Thank you for walking with me, every day, through life and this journey of rehabilitation with your selfless, unconditional love, support, and guidance. Thank you for everything Daddy.

To my grandmother, Lela Handy, who with her abundance of knowledge regarding alternative and natural treatments, helps me continue to down the path my mother started me on.

Authors Note

When you’re faced with a challenge like this, you have two choices, give up, or fight… Humans often take the most important things in life for granted until they are gone. (…)"

-Unknown

O ne of the major deciding factors behind why I decided to write this self help/memoir was to shine light on a common disease that many people that I have encountered, have little to no knowledge about. Some of those people encountered have never heard the name of Multiple Sclerosis. I am writing to answer questions that I am often asked: what is multiple sclerosis, what can it affect, how it can affect my life and the lives of others, how do I deal with and how I reversed the symp toms.

A list of abilities that are usually subconsciously taken for granted by many: Walking and walking for long periods of time, speed walking, running, talking, writing, turning the pages of a book, strength, feeling (numbness), equilibrium, coordination, fine motor skills, and so much more. Many people probably do not even think twice about being able to do these things. My writing has not been the same since I had an exacerbation which hindered my ability to write or even put my fingers next to one another. Imagine trying to accomplish major and simple life tasks, goals, or planning for the present and future. MS can paralyze its inhabitants physically as well as emotionally.

I am not in search of pity by sharing my story. Rather, I am on a mission to share information regarding the healthy and positive lifestyle changes that have helped me get through difficult times. Hopefully, my story will inspire others to live a life filled with prosperity, wellness, and gratitude. The smallest task is now a major accomplishment and after experiencing an assortment of difficulties, those difficulties have forced a drastic change in my plans for the present and future. Multiple sclerosis and personal struggles could have impeded my progress but I rejected the idea of giving up.

Yes, MS can be extremely frustrating and upsetting but it is said that patience is a virtue. Be patient with yourself. The easiest thing to do is give up and the greatest failure is not to try. Underneath this MS monster we are still fighters and nothing will ever take that away. Be strong, keep smiling, be patient with yourself, and take as much time as needed. Life is not meant to be spent in the fast lane. Stop and smell the roses.

-Britni N. Dunn

Introduction

I   can remember really the funny stories from my parents about the day I was born. My parents were on a movie date seeing the movie Rocky III. They said that they didn’t get to see the entire movie, at least not that day. Mid movie they had to leave because my mother went into labor with me. What I found to be even funnier is that is exactly what happened three years and a day prior to the day that I was born. During the movie Rocky II my parents had to leave the theater because my mother went into labor with my older brother, Alex.

They also told he and I, that on the day that I was born, Alex, who was 3 years old, ran into the labor room, tried to push one of the nurses, and yelled Nobody touch her, she’s my sister! I love that story because it’s not only irony at its best but it’s also amusing, and endearing. We would always celebrate birthdays and anniversaries together because my parents, along with my mothers’ older sister Denice and my uncle Carl wed, in a double wedding that my Grandfather Johnny officiated; three years and a day before the birth of my older brother. I asked was any of that timing planned, and the answer was no it wasn’t planned in any way it just worked out that way. To this day, I continue to smile when I hear or tell that story. As I grew older, I concluded that occurrences and other things were very sequential within my family.

When we would celebrate holidays together, my mother would prepare savory meals that would include, salmon crocket, baked and fried chicken, corn on the cob, green beans, peas, and her delicious macaroni and cheese for the entire family. Her macaroni and cheese was always the first thing to run empty because it was just that yummy. By the way, the house smelled delectable. My uncle, Carl; would make his tasty sweet potato pies. Carl even made peach cobbler one time. He would make more than one so everyone would have a pie of their own to take home. All the children would perform some sort of show: dancing, singing, or reading of the reports from the books we were told to report on and assigned to us over the previous summer by our aunt Robin.

By the time I was in the third grade I joined the Girl Scouts, and of course, I sold cookies. Oh wait let