Y Stories

When I was a freshman at the New England Institute of Art, I began to feel ill with headaches, nausea, vomiting and blurred vision. My mom immediately called to make an appointment with an eye specialist.During the exam, I had an MRI and passed out. I woke up in the hospital and was told that I had a brain tumor and that I might not survive the night. The next day I had a nine hour-surgery.

Last year I went to a cancer weekend retreat and met representatives from Livestrong, which is a new exercise program for cancer survivors at the YMCA. At that time, the only YMCA running the program was at the West Roxbury YMCA, which is near my home. I met with Janice O’Connor, the Director of Health & Wellness, and enrolled in the program. Even though I was the youngest in the group, I felt like I belonged.

After it ended, most of us wanted to continue with the routines we had learned. Janice and I started talking and she asked if I would like to be a volunteer. Within 10 months of dedicated work I am an official YMCA staff member! Now I am studying for the ACE certification.