I’m fortunate not to have to suffered many losses in my 31 years on the planet. I’m talking about family members. Sure, I wish I knew my paternal grandparents, who passed away when I was very young, but I feel like I know them through pictures and stories Dad tells. My aunt even says that I have Grandma Mary Ann’s button nose! I guess I will always have a part of the grandmother I never knew.

But losses don’t have to be family members to affect you deeply (I will do my best to hold it together). My physical medicine doctor–which is a specialty that provides care to the disabled, trying to improve the quality of life for them–is retiring in July.

Me and Dr. B.

Dr. Murray Brandstater changed my life. I remember laying in a hospital bed at fifteen realizing that I was now disabled. I thought my life was over. With Dr. B’s help, I now understood that it was just a new chapter, not the end!

And I’m actually happier now! Thank you, Dr. B.