About Me mental health awareness

A lot of people love to kid around saying that I was "Made in El Salvador" and shipped to California during the late 80's due to the civil war. Los Angeles was my home sweet home until November 2004, but then everything changed when I found myself settling down in the cozy little town of Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Fast forward to May 2017, and my journey led me to my current haven right here in the heart of the Midwest, where I have happily put down my roots on the border between Nebraska and Iowa. Ladies and gentlemen, I can proudly say that I am now a proud resident of the lovely Council Bluffs, Iowa!

Why do we need to go on and on about geography? The truth is, every place I've called home has played a significant role in shaping the person I am today. Yep, I'm still in the process of figuring out my true identity. A few years back, I used to claim that I had lost myself, but in reality, you can't really lose something you haven't even discovered in the first place, right?

So, here's my story: I attended the University of Arkansas and actually ended up graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology. But that's not all - I also pursued my passions in Art History, Latin American Studies, and Spanish, and managed to complete minors in all three subjects. Why did I choose so many minors, you ask? Well, I have a tendency to get super excited about different things but lose interest after a while. Don't worry though, you'll get to hear more about my adventures in losing interest as I share my journey with you.

But wait, there's more! After my time at the University of Arkansas, I decided to continue my education at John Brown University, also in Arkansas. And guess what? I obtained an MBA in International Business. That's right, I am now a proud holder of not just one, but two degrees!

Here's a fun fact: I even pursued a Ph.D. program in instructional design at one point. However, as you might have already guessed, my interest in it eventually faded away. But hey, that's just part of my learning process.

I have to admit, I've spent a significant amount of my time as a student, pushing myself to achieve an education that many believed I couldn't due to my mental health and socioeconomic background. But guess what? I didn't let any of the haters get to me. Against all odds, I proved them wrong and accomplished not just one, but two degrees!

So, here's the deal: am I solo or taken? Do I have little ones or furry companions? At my age, society has certain expectations, you know? Back in my early 30's when I was flying solo, I had this overarching desire for a poodle, a possible kid (still on the fence about it), and, hey, maybe a significant other. Well, good news, I have my poodles! Managed to get two of them; sadly, one has crossed the rainbow bridge, but his brother and his new buddy, a catahoola husky mix, are still by my side. And get this, I actually found someone incredibly loving and patient to call my hubby! Yes, you heard it right, a man, not a woman. The audacity of people asking if my single status had anything to do with my sexual orientation, right? So, let's address the kid situation. Turns out, the universe doesn't think it's quite the opportune moment, and well, my reproductive system agrees. But hey, my hubby comes with two amazing kiddos in tow, so that's as far as the parenting goes for me, for now. Oh, and I'd appreciate it if we could skip any step-parent labels, let's just keep it simple: they'll call me Dee.

What career path did I end up with after completing all that schooling? Well, I'm just a regular ol' HR professional, nothing overly exciting like a full-time anthropologist or the dream of working in a museum. Instead, my focus has been on food manufacturing jobs. But you know what? I'm actually grateful to be in the HR field because it has taught me a lot about the legal aspects surrounding disabilities, including my own and others'. In the workforce, having bipolar disorder, anxiety, and several other health conditions are considered disabilities. Let's feel comfortable using the term "disabilities" when it comes to work. Remember, disability is simply a word and doesn't define who you are.