Sherri Jost
Hi, my name is Sherri Jost. I am the author of “Stronger Together: Walking through Trauma, PTSD, and Abuse.” I am a mom of two beautiful, witty, and sassy girls, struggling with moving on in their journeys after realizing the root of all their diagnoses: their dad.
I have spent 16 years fighting against all obstacles for my children. It has been a long, emotional, and scary journey full of negativity and no answers from professionals. I am now pursuing my Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis on child and adolescent development. I am excited to share the knowledge I have gained to help those who are searching and feel lost.
I am a survivor, fighter, sister, friend, advocate, life coach, entrepreneur, supporter, scholar, teacher, and girlfriend. I will never stop standing up for those who cannot find their voice, guiding with resources, and sharing all experiences, no matter how difficult. My books are based on how my children and I survived this horrible time in our lives. I am truly blessed to be able to “SAVE A LIFE.”
I do know that all I endured is part of the greater plan of my life. These books serve as a steppingstone to all of you, teaching that YOU are worth it and you will survive. I am proud of these books and hope to become a light to those who are trying to crawl out of the darkness. I have started my own LLC- a space to listen, provide, and offer ways to survive with hope and resilience. I want to help others pursue their dreams, find their destiny, and to lead as a light.
I still have ghosts, and probably always will, but I will always remember how daily hardships have developed into messy and beautiful solutions to some of my toughest encounters. My whole life’s dream is to become your advocate and shining light.
“TO SAVE A LIFE”
Bridgette Pearce
Bridgette Pearce is a successful business leader and motivational speaker. She emancipated from her single mother at age 13, despite the fact that she was still a minor, and before the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was enacted in 1989. A lifelong achiever and visionary, Bridgette went on to graduate from high school two years before her peers and earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland. She was chosen to be on the elite dance squad of the Washington Redskinettes before working for the United Way of Central Maryland and continues to tirelessly strive to serve her community to ensure its citizens have access to all the opportunities they need to succeed.
Her experience spans extensive business development, family mediation and community outreach. Most notably, she is the product of lived experience which enables a broader view and understanding of complex family dynamics.
Bridgette currently serves as president of the Board of Directors for CASA of Baltimore County where her extensive professional and leadership accomplishments in business, conflict resolution, philanthropy and fundraising are utilized to carry out their mission. As a certified, advanced family mediator, she donates much of her time and services to the Baltimore County court system.
Her latest outreach efforts resulted in a book, “Detached: A Memoir,” published in June of 2020.
Linda Bates Peterson
Would you believe me if I told you that if cancer doesn’t kill you, it can leave you permanently disabled? Linda Bates Peterson went from a dedicated, hard-working educator to the new reality that breast cancer forced upon her life. Having a great work ethic, dedication, discipline and finishing what she starts has always been a way of life for Linda. Having grown up the youngest of six children in a close-knit devout Christian home, it is no wonder why she has achieved the goals she set as a child and most of the goals that arose later in life despite challenges along the way. As far back as she could remember getting a good education was the number one thing that was stressed by her parents besides having a love for God.
As Linda matriculated through elementary and high school, she was a model student who excelled academically, was very popular and was outgoing. Her lifelong dream of becoming a member of the Florida A & M University “Marching 100” Band was realized in the Fall of 1983 immediately after graduating from Greensboro High School in Greensboro, Florida. It was through this organization that Linda faced her greatest challenge ever. Becoming a member of the “Marching 100,” would mean drill and precision, and having the ability and physical strength to practice hour after hour and day after day oftentimes until 2 a.m. during the week. It would mean being able to endure the scorching Florida heat with no shade. It would also mean having the mental strength to withstand the constant critique and carrying out the directives of upperclassmen. It meant rehearsing repetitiously until perfection was achieved. It required being focused in class every day and adjusting to being away from family and home for the first time. The bottom line was that everything that Linda ever stood for was put to the test in order to earn a spot with the most renowned marching band in the land. By November of 1983, Linda became an official member of the “Marching 100.” This was her proudest achievement to date.
After finishing graduate school, Linda worked in several capacities as a middle school English teacher, GED Teacher at a federal prison, adjunct English instructor and high school English teacher for the next 28 years. It was during her 28th year of teaching that the unthinkable happened. Linda was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in January 2020, after discovering a mass on her breast. She later discovered a mass under her arm before she was given the diagnosis from her physician. In other words, the cancer had spread. Her oncologist was determined to start treatment as early as possible. His treatment plan consisted of an aggressive chemotherapy cocktail every 14 days for six months, surgery, and radiation Monday through Friday for six weeks. From the very first chemotherapy infusion, it became apparent that she would not be going back to work throughout the duration of her illness. The chemotherapy was so lethal and so brutal that mere words could never describe the out-of-body experience. Linda felt so ill and so fatigued that she lost all desire to eat, drink, talk or move from her bed. It was the worst feeling imaginable. She lost 29 pounds, had problems swallowing, and was hospitalized for four days.
She ended up in surgery for inability to swallow. A few weeks later, she landed in surgery again for the same swallowing problem. She was in the fight of her lifetime. By the end of months and months of treatment, she was left fatigued, and off-balance to the point of being a fall risk and had developed neuropathy in her hands and feet. More importantly, she lost some of her memory, was confused and no longer had a sharp mind due to “chemo brain.” Consequently, she was no longer able to return to the workforce. Linda completed two additional years of therapy and rehabilitation after ringing the bell. These days, Linda is making the best of her life by treasuring each day as a gift, enjoying family, reconnecting with high school classmates and colleagues. Because of her strong and unwavering faith in God and the support of family and her village, she is writing her memoir and accepting that she is exactly where she is supposed to be in life. Her desire is that her journey can inspire someone else to hold on to hope, never give up and find victories wherever you can.
Stacy M. Duggan
Today I stand tall from the damage that has been done to me in the past. I can’t forget but I can forgive. My journey of substance abuse was about the worst anyone could imagine. The reality is that you will end up either sick or dead. Regardless of how far you have sunk into the depths of substance abuse, all people have feelings and emotions and are always looking for a helping hand. Through my years I’ve experienced the most loving, caring people, especially as an addict. I recommend anyone who takes the time to recognize this, and if you have someone in your life who is an addict, try and talk to them. Generally, people are judgmental against addicts and shun us. We are brave. We can and do recover by living one day at a time.
The journey I share with you is my experience, my emotions, my bravery, and my motivation. To be able to actually speak out is amazing and I look forward to growing and learning. Sometimes, you can’t control what’s being thrown at you. You take it and keep moving forward because nobody can stop you but you.
So go to the limits with anything you believe you are right about. Try and ignore people who judge you about your past history. You can look back and say, “Hey- I can do this! It’s mind over matter.” You can choose to fight this. Just know you are not the only one. There are people out there just like us.
Denise Seymour
I never thought that I would ever be a writer, at least, not until two close personal friends of mine encouraged me to write. I learned how to write a poem in a two-week class that I took in March of 2009. They said that if I started writing poems that I would feel better about myself, and they were right. As I got better about writing poems, I practiced for about three years, which led me to believe that I could write a poetry book. Ultimately, I went down that path and I learned how to not only write, but also publish books, too. In 2012, I went through about four surgeries, and I had to spend my time writing. I was sleeping a lot, but I was also writing a lot of poems. After healing from the four surgeries, I moved forward and helped another close friend publish a lot of books. The first book that I wrote was called, “The Ups and Downs of Life: Poetry in Motion: Seymour’s Adventures.” By the time we had to stop in 2019, she got sick, and I was basically on my own, but not for long.
I hired another close friend that could help me edit and correct some of my writing in my books. She once told me that her dream was to be an author of a book. So, I helped her out and made her dream come true. Her name is Ginny Cadle, and she is my co-author and editor. The next two books I wrote were called, “The Unicorn that Learned to Fly,” and “The Flying Unicorn Family.” Ginny and I wrote both of those books and I have to thank her for all of her help because she helped make my first books great.
The two unicorn books are available on Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Amazon. I found out a few weeks ago that “The Flying Unicorn Family” was being sold in Beijing, China, at an international book fair and that same book placed seventh place in the Beijing International Book Fair out of the top fifteen. As a result, I am in the process of publishing the third book to the unicorn series and we plan to publish the series as a trilogy, which is very exciting.
Last year I started a business called Denise Seymour’s Writing Company. I want to be an entrepreneur and be able to sell my books online through my own business. That is the ultimate dream or goal for me. The reason why I am doing this is because I want to empower other women out there and let them know that if I can do this, so can you.
Wanda Hewlin
My struggle with breast cancer began in 2020, when I was diagnosed with Stage O breast cancer. My cancer was called a carcinoma in situ, located in my milk ducts. The journey was not easy. As part of my job, I was on a planning committee for new members training, responsible for mailing door prizes out, and taking care of husband who was not fully able to comprehend the dynamics of my struggle. We had to learn together. He would fall apart, and I would have to be his strength and my own. We went to the appointments together. I had two surgeries and had help getting door prizes packaged and shipped afterwards as I recuperated. My husband is now able to understand what I went through. As a survivor, I must tell you that your health is vital. I’m glad I was blessed to have him here to help me through the experience. Thankfully, I was able to go back to work and continue training employees. I received an award for my efforts. The company president was elated, and my regional district was happy with everything I did for them. God builds women to withstand all kinds of storms and shortcomings. That’s why we are phenomenal women, and I am glad to be one as well. My other struggle in life was getting ahead in the civil service world for 37 years with supervisor who thought I wasn’t promotion material. However, I persevered, I was made a supervisor before the end of my career and retired as a management analyst. I came through both experiences a stronger woman knowing my strength lies in myself, my family, and God.
LINDA LEE
P.O.W.E.R. member Linda Lee is a perfect example of tenacity and empowerment. After working in corporate America for many years, Linda developed health issues that prevented her from working. Unfortunately, due to issues with the insurance company that held her long and short term disability, she was left with nothing, even as she became sicker and sicker. As a single parent of two boys, she struggled to put a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs, but managed to survive. Through homelessness, health issues and random work, she managed to find hotels to stay in or friends to stay with. She attempted to get assistance from local churches, but since they were not members, the churches did not assist. There was one woman in particular who assisted Linda and her sons. She was instrumental in helping them to change their lives. Just as her youngest son started high school, Linda and the boys ended up homeless and sleeping in their car. They used the YMCA for showers, the boys had free lunch at school and their one meal consisted of sliced turkey, cheese, mayo and bread, along with cookies and fruit punch from a local $.99 store, she spent only $6.00 for the food. Linda started getting performance gigs and would be able to get a hotel room when she did. Her health continued to be an issue, but she pushed through. Her sons continued to thrive even through the adversity. Linda’s oldest son, Isaiah was able to stay at a friend’s apartment, worked, maintained a dancing career and is now living in California. Her youngest, Isaac, graduated high school with a 3.57 GPA, was voted Cheerleader of the Year and Prom King. He attended college and is now working with his own apartment and car. Today, Linda is teaching and entertaining, as well as being a perfect example of keeping faith, which is the key to overcoming all. As she says, “Keep the faith.”
Lila J. Yamashita
Lila Yamashita was orphaned at the age of 5 years old and was adopted at 8 and an half, by a family with no other children. Her adopted mother told her she would never graduate from high school, but Lila proved her wrong. One week after graduation, she joined the Women’s Army Medical Corp. Later, she met, married and had her first daughter. Lila worked as a nursing assistant. After her second daughter was born, she went back to school to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. Lila worked for 10 years before going back to school and earning her A.A. in nursing. 10 years later, when her mother developed Alzheimers, she left her job specializing in long term care and Alzheimers to care for her. During her off time, Lila started and completed a distance learning course in medical billing and coding, but after submitting her final assignment, she received word that the school went bankrupt, so she was not able to receive her certification. She remarried and unfortunately lost her husband after one month of marriage. In order to earn a living and support herself, Lila returned to school and earned her second Associates degree as a medical billing and coding specialist. She has been the proud owner of Summit Medical Billing Services for over 15 years and loves what she does! Lila is definitely a perfect example of how hard work can create the American Dream!
Christine Malinda Peart
After serving 23 years in the United States Air Force and working for the Department of Defense, Christine Malinda Peart experienced real adversity when her health took a turn for the worst. Fifteen years ago, she was hospitalized due to paralysis and inability to being able to walk, while visiting her mother. She was diagnosed with Pseudomembranous Colitis, a condition where the large intestine swells due to an overgrowth of C difficile bacteria. After being expected to make a full recovery, she was soon back in the hospital due to being unable to take care of herself, walk or move. This continued for a year. Doctors had no answers and thought the paralysis was temporary. Following a call from an aunt who had a pastor pray over her, Christine was led to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota, where, after a year of tests, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Polymyositis, with Antisynthetase Syndrome and Interstitial Lung Disease. She was told she would have a shortened life, but Christine has lived with this for 15 years. She educates and inspires others to live life in a positive way, regardless of what illness and trial might arise. Two years ago, Christine and her husband were informed that due to the disease progression, she would have to be placed on a lung transplant list. She feared the worst, but after prayer, Christine realized that it would be best for her to let go of things that were not in her control, and place her faith in her God. She says, “I realized the Bible was clear on how I needed to approach my illness. It instructed me to use eight fundamental principles to achieve optimum health: rest, exercise, water, sunlight, air, nutrition, temperance and trust. I also needed to be obedient to his words, even though at times they were contrary to the plans that I had for myself.” Christine has caused doctors to continue to study her as they do not understand how someone who is oxygen-dependent is able to do so much in life. Christine, or Malinda P. as she is known, has created a non-profit ministry, REFOCUSONU, which is a 501c3 organization geared to educating and motivating others dealing with health and life issues to turn setbacks into victories. Her faith has helped thousands realize that they can find happiness and success, regardless of a medical diagnosis. Christine says that her secret of living a full life with a terminal illness is no secret, but that she lives by faith.
Jacquelyn L. Cobb
Jacquelyn Lee Cobb has overcome much in her life. On July 1, 2005, she experienced a nervous breakdown due to being in an abusive relationship. Prior to entering the hospital on July 4th, Jacquelyn spoke with a spiritual leader who informed her that God wanted to use her as a vessel for his holy ghost. She survived for days because God let her know that he was with her. According to her, the enemy told her that she might as well kill herself because God doesn’t love you, but God saved her. Jacquelyn said that due to God, she started to write inspirational poetry to encourage others. She states that her daughter, Charmaine, told her to journal to relieve stress and anxiety. She now incorporates inspirational poetry in her journal to get her thoughts on paper. Jacquelyn has published a book of inspirational poems, “Words of Encouragement from My Father,” which allows her to minister to souls who need encouragement, especially those who suffer from low self-esteem and depression. According to Jacquelyn, God gets all the glory, honor and praises for her life and work.
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