I am a mother, wife and business woman who has has traveled the world and had some amazing experiences. Only one year ago my family and I were about to embark on a year long research trip, we were to visit over 23 countries, finally settling in Austria. Unfortunately, life had other plans. My partner of 20 years unexpectedly had a massive stroke last February only weeks before we were to depart. Obviously things needed to pivot quite quickly. He was life-flighted to Philly, spent 2 months in the Neuro ICU, 2 months in an intensive rehabilitation hospital, 2 additional months in an intensive 5-day/week rehabilitation program where he received PT, OT & SPEACH daily. After all of the hard work he still has mobility issues, using a cane around the house and a wheelchair to get around outside. As a result of the stroke, he has a condition called aphasia, which means although he can understand everything that’s going around. He has a hard time remembering what words he needs to use and additionally motor issues that make it very hard for his mouth to receive the signals from his brain to set up the words to say them. Long story short … he doesn’t say much more than “Yep” and “No”. I feel that he has gotten as far as he can with the current therapies and have found promising programs in NY that are producing some amazing results for the patients involved. We had planned to leave Philly in September, but my mother was unexpectedly diagnosed with Cancer so we made the decision to stay in Philly while she completed her treatment so she would have a place to stay with us while she recovered. We have 3 kids, our boys are 18 & 20 and no longer live with us. We have an AMAZING daughter, 14, who has somehow managed to not only survive the past year in terrible schools and away from everything she knows, but thrive in spite of the hand that life continues to deal. We have been living in an Airbnb for the past 6mo and are eager to get to the City and find our next home. This past year has been the most challenging time of our lives, but we don’t let it get us down. We are full of life and laughter… always looking for something new to broaden our horizons and spark our passions. We are looking forward to the coming year being full of positive changes and exciting opportunities.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Just checking our luck with the universe to see if there’s any chance we might have to find a place where we can stay for a few weeks while we find an apartment

Interests

I guess you could just classify me as an interested person… As I mentioned before I’m a lifelong learner. Whether it’s watching documentaries on TV or going to a museum or visiting a new country I am always about experiencing something where I can grow as a member of society. I would consider myself an advocate and activist for women, members of the LGBTQIA plus community, The disabled , or any historical underserved population. This world is a harsh place and in recent years we have become desensitized to what is most obviously needed… Kindness and care for others. Over the past year, especially I have seen how much disregard our society has for people with disabilities. the challenges I have helped my husband face are honestly disgraceful. Obviously the physical challenges are to be expected, but the financial, social, and the obstacles just to survive in the society for someone with a disability never mind someone who can’t speak… Is next to impossible, and if I had a penny for every time I ask, someone: “ What does someone in my husband situation do when they don’t have someone like me to advocate for them? Does anyone realize these people are falling through the cracks or is it easier to just allow yourself to forget and ignore?” … let’s just say would not be Couchsurfing.

• arts
• theater
• lgbt rights
• music
• business
• history
• travel
• dance
• museums
• advocacy
• disability rights

Music, Movies, and Books

Well a am a dork so I LOVE Marvel, Star Wars and just about anything in the science fiction genre that would have embarrassed the hell out of me in high school. I am an avid reader love the classics, but continue to be blown away by the creative evolution that has happened in modern literature… my daughter had her way we would have a home line with bookshelves.. This kid was reading Dostoevsky at 12.
My music taste is extremely eclectic… Anything from hip-hop to show tunes to classical music … I love life theater and my daughter has been dancing since she’s been three… She was with the ROCK here in Philly and hopes to be at SAB next year.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Somehow managed to raise a young girl who challenges me to be the best version of myself on a daily basis and motivates me to continue to strive to make this world we live better place through love, compassion and understanding.

Teach, Learn, Share

I consider myself a lifelong learner I have multiple postgraduate degrees and I’m currently going back to school for my MBA.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I am a very giving person and can share the vast knowledge that I have in many different areas from the research. I’ve done to the degrees I possess… The children, I raised and the life that I’ve lived…. I’m great with kids, animals, and most reasonable human beings… lol… I have a proven track record in business consulting and will be happy to share my expertise with entrepreneurs or startups as well.

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Albania, Antarctica, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Ecuador, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guam, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Monaco, Montserrat, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Vatican City State, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, U.S., Yemen

Countries I’ve Lived In

Afghanistan, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, United States