That Deaf Massage Therapist…

That move to VA wasn’t going to happen unless I found a job. Unfortunately, there was a period of time where people lost their jobs, unemployment rate was going up, no one was hiring….It sucked.

I worked for this agency out of college outside of Philadelphia for a couple of years working with children of all kinds of disabilities. I was hoping to be somewhere along the lines of an occupational therapist or a counselor which both required a masters degree. Applying to grad school at the time was out of the question. With unemployment so high, everyone seemed to be scrambling to go back to college. So I said screw it and looked into a massage school. Kind of silly right? Not to me. I always had this mindset I was going to move to NYC or LA as a dancer and be a massage therapist to offset some of the costs of living and auditioning daily. Haha! SO!

I signed up for it. 7 months program, working 8-4 and was going to massage school 5-11 pm 4-5 days a week. All this was an hr from home. All while working full time. All while maintaining a long distance relationship on the weekends. Even if it meant, driving from NOVA to Philly to get to work 8 am on a Monday and start the week all over again.

Again, perseverance was key. Thank you mom!

I ended up finishing the program, moved, got my VA massage license, and worked in the cutest spa in a small town by DC. Now in the back of my mind, I always knew this isn’t what I really wanted to see myself getting old doing. Growing up, I admired my mom who is a registered nurse pulling long hours to save lives, come home to make sure there’s a roof over our head and food on the table. I looked up to her. She was a single mom. I wanted that real career stability, not because my husband wouldn’t take care of me, but because I wanted to make sure no matter what happens, I’m able to take care of us and the future kids eventually. Now let’s be real here. Anyone could do it. Me? I just didn’t see it in myself as a Massage Therapist in the long run. Yada yada blah blah blah.

I worked in a handful of chiropractor offices, local and corporate spas. Then finally a gym where I really enjoyed it. Long story short, thing is, it truly wasn’t for me.

Rewind then fast forward. After we got married, I applied to Dental Hygiene school which took some serious trying. At first, their application requirement was a bit over the top. At one point, they required “5-7 years experience in dental assisting”….ummm what? Dafuq? I knew how competitive the program was but come on. I ended up getting a part time DA job but I knew there were no guarantees. Rolls eye.

First year, rejected. Second year, rejected. Same year, somehow accepted? And by then, that requirement didn’t matter anymore, slap me in the face will you?

Stay tuned!