AMBER ALERT for Hope Ann Joy: CANCELED

To be completely honest with you guys, getting diagnosed with two major chronic illnesses within a month of each other really kidnapped my happiness and my hope.  The last two months I have struggled with alot of things, one being despair. Getting diagnosed with something that most doctors haven't even heard of, and no one is even thinking about researching the exact causes, let alone trying to find a cure for, left me hopeless.  I lost any faith of a cure to what I've already struggled with for my whole life. 

Before the diagnoses, when I was fighting for a one, I dreamed of the day where I'd find a doctor to diagnose me and tell me there was a great solution.  I fought hard for those two diagnoses because I thought it would fix me.  You have no idea how many doctors and times I went through until someone finally listened and had an answer.  Getting that answer was such a relief, until it really made hit me what it meant.

Today, I was the HAPPIEST I have been since the first diagnosis on Feb 5th. Due to the diagnoses, I had issues with school, which as of today, the most important things are all caught up and completed.  THANK GOD!!!  I'm speaking at Wayne State University for Take Back the Night as the survivor speaker in exactly a week!  I can't wait to share my journey with such amazing people. I also am excited because Triumph Church "One Church, Multiple Locations" is going to be advertising Take Back the Night for me.  This is an honor that I couldn't be more grateful for!
I have the most amazing support network including mom, dad, and Tommy.  They keep me going when I don't think I can.  I am amazingly blessed to be part of a department at Madonna that is so incredibly nurturing, loving, understanding and supportive.  I am so blessed to be a student in the Sign Language Studies Dept there.
Also, today I was asked to help teach someone's 13 year old grand daughter sign language.  I was immediately reminded of Nancy Thompson who was my first sign language mentor.  She was someone we knew from church who was a certified interpreter.  She spent time with me, teaching me and encouraging me.  My first interpreting "gig" was because of her.  I said that I would be more than happy to teach her what I know. That only solidified what I'm doing and why I'm doing it.

This honestly is only part of why the Amber Alert for Hope Ann(d) Joy has been canceled.  These diagnoses stole my joy, peace, happiness, hope and faith.  I found them today.  I can't wait to see whats next for me, but whatever it is, I know it will include American Sign Language. God will always fulfill the promises He has made to you.  He promised me sign language.  That promise is mine, and no one, not even the devil, can stop me.
Have Joy.
Carley Therese Cook