Why did you decide to start typing as rehab?
After going through the hospital rehab because my whole right side of my body was paralyzed, I started post-rehab where the occupational therapist worked with me at home. One of the first things that the therapist asked me was if I had a computer or a typewriter to do arm and hand exercise, I said: "Yes I have a laptop." The therapist said, "That is great, I want you to start typing to improve the mobility of your arm and hand every day." I said, "What do you want me to type? The therapist told me to type ABC's 123's she did not care what I type as long as I was getting 15 minutes of the exercise. I told her that I could not just write that, that would boring to me. Then the thought to write a book came to mind, and that is where Crossed Lines: What Lies Buried Within the Heart was born.
Did you have any goals at first for your writing?
My first goal for my writing was just to figure out where are my hands suppose to be on the keyboard because before I had my stroke, I was able to type 40 wpm. Then as I began typing, not only did my mobility start to come back but my cognitive abilities where sharpening every day and before I knew it I was finished with "Crossed Lines." Once I had completed the book, I thought I should publish this book and tell people my story of how this fictional novel came about and what all I went through for it to be here.
What was the inspiration behind the book?
In my novel, the plot revolves around Sandra who lived an ideal life that everyone desires to have; a perfect husband, self-sustained occupation and a luxury home expecting to expand a family. She envisioned a future for herself and thought she knew where life was taking her. However, her fate was sealed. A veil was lifted and revealed imperfections in her so-called the perfect life. She filled fractures in her life with her weaknesses for gratification. Her ravenous appetite for more left her world upside down. When she was awake, she realized what she had lost was beyond her imagination.
My inspiration came from my adversities, like Sandra, I know how life can send you a curveball and leave you wondering what to do next. My life has taken me down some bumpy roads. At the tender age of 17, I gave birth to first child. I went to college and pursued the education that lead me to have an ideal life with the rewarding career, a loving husband, and children. Then at the age of 35, I had to deal with the crippling blow of having a stroke which left me hospitalized and unable to work. However, I am grateful for surviving the stroke, it gave me the time to find my creative side in writing this book, and it also taught me that I could do anything that I put in my mind to do.
What advice would you have for others who might find themselves with an unexpected medical condition?
I have always had a strong mind. I remember when I was in the hospital before I truly understood what having a stroke meant, I was telling everyone I will be back to work within two weeks. Not knowing that my speech was slower than I usually talk, my right side of my body was getting weaker by the minute, and my cognitive abilities were slipping away. Although I did not make it back to work within two weeks, I remain hopeful that I was going to make it through.
Sometimes things happen that are beyond your control, and it may occur at a time which is not convenient, but you have to demonstrate some form of patience, positivity and keep a fighting spirit. Because I favor my left side more and I am not 100% better on my right side, I am still fighting by exercising. My arm and hand are much better than before, but I have to type every day to keep the mobility steady. I have always been a fighter, but now I am a fighter and the author of the hard-to-put-down read, "Crossed Lines: What Lies Buried Within the Heart."
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