For as long as I can remember, even as a young girl, I always knew I was meant to do extraordinary things during the course of my life. As it turns out, I have done just that and I continue to do more amazing things as each year goes by. Now at the age of 52, I can say that I have done more and experienced more than most people; and I have much more to do, feel, and see. The key for me is that I never fit into the "box" where many people get trapped: the box is the life they are told to live - how things should be and how life should be lived. Life is for living, loving, and experiencing everything and everyone in our world or other worlds. Maybe that is why I never was selected to be on Survivor: There was no slot in which I fit: I am unique! To follow my journey, go to my website www.reachingbeyondtheclouds.com   

On August 1st 2007, I was diagnosed with Wegener’s Granulomatosis and on May 23^rd 2010, I summited Mt. Everest. With a rare and potentially life-threatening disease, at the age 51, and functionally blind in one eye: I joined an elite group of American females who have climbed the world’s tallest mountain. My journey to Mt. Everest began three years ago but my story, like so many other victims of rare unknown diseases, started more than a decade earlier.

In August my book, Reaching Beyond the Clouds: From Undiagnosed to Climbing Mt. Everest, was released and is available on Amazon.com  Part of the proceeds go to the Vasculitis Foundation.

Now that my book is published, I have taken on a new adventure - training to run in the 1150 mile Alaskan Iditarod Dog Sled Race. I am training with 4-time winner and cancer survivor Lance Mackey at his Come Back Kennel near Fairbanks, AK. 

I keep reaching!

SCUBA diving, mountaineering, dog sled mushing, world travel, ballroom dancing, underwater videography and editing, loving my wonderful husband, and living life.