Let Our ST'r Achievers Inspire You!

BEKA SERDANS
GRADUATE

When Howard asked me to write a story about myself and what I have achieved over the years, I was humbly embarrassed to do so as it seems that dystonia began such a long time ago for me. And I've always thought that I haven't really achieved much of anything unlike Martin Luther King and others. In my case dystonia first appeared as hemifacial spasms, eye tics and dysphonia as a teenager. By the time I was 21 I had completed nursing school and had begun my first job in the ICU setting at a salary of $ 8.65 per hour. The more technical my job became, the more interested I became in medicine. I applied to two medical schools and got accepted by my alma mater in Rochester, New York. The day I received the acceptance letter was wrought with twisting, pain and abnormal postures. By then at the age of 26 I had developed cervical dystonia, but had no official diagnosis by a physician as of yet. Realistically I knew that going to medical school, completing the curriculum, Internships and residency would be impossible with dystonia. So, I set forth to self-diagnosing myself. By 1994 I was formally diagnosed with cervical dystonia, dysphonia and generalized dystonia by a movement disorder specialist.

As I began the typical course of trial and error oral medications from Artane to Zanaflex, I continued working as an ICU nurse, obtaining my Baccalaureate degree in 3 semesters, certification as a diabetes educator (CDE) and as a critical care nurse (CCRN ). Life went on with exposure to Botox and then Myobloc, which to me was the magic potion that relieved many of my symptoms over a 9 year period. In 2004 I decided to embark on Graduate school- by May 2006 I had a 4.0 GPA average and silk piece of paper stating that I was an Advanced Practice Nurse- a nurse practitioner with a Master's degree seal.

In between two semesters I underwent Deep Brain Stimulation, which has been likened to a rollercoaster ride of varying voltages, frequencies and rates. Currently, despite also running a non profit called www.care4dystonia.org, I am now applying for a Doctoral Degree in Nursing. I want to learn and gain insight into "who, we, with dystonia, are as a patient population?" Are we over-achievers? Or are we riddled with disability, pain, twisting, and hopelessness?" I have always taken the attitude - that Quitting is not an Option. It should not be for you, for anyone. So, set your goals and make them happen. Moving forward is the name of the game.

Great job Beka...and well deserved!!!
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