Hi Everyone,
I look forward to sharing an evening with you at Cibo restaurant.

Where? 767 2nd Ave between East 42nd and East 41 St in Manhattan.

When? August 24, 2011 at 6.45 p.m.

We’ll share some stories and offer support.
I hope to see you there,
Karen

Dear Miss Ager,

You likely don’t remember me, I was a student at St. Lukes from 1990-1996. A friend of mine told me that you had written a book and that I should read it and I can say that your book has helped me gain some perspective of my own health battles.

2 years ago at age 24 I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. After 2 serious relapses I knew the diagnosis was imminent but it still didn’t make dealing with it any easier. Even now, I’m still struggling with accepting that I have a chronic disease that is extremely unpredictable and could cut me down without a moments notice. I often find that I can’t put into words how I feel and this makes it hard to get my thoughts out and deal with my issues. The most important message I got from your book is that I’m not alone in my struggles and that I have the power to shape my own destiny. I can either choose to let it win or I can fight back and make my life great! I’ve decided to choose the latter .

After completing the HSC I went to the University of Technology, Sydney. During this time at University I would notice that I had strange pains and increasing fatigue for no particular reason. Being young, I just put it down to indigestion and the stress of studying, but in hindsight I should have gone to the doctor. Once I graduated I decided to spend a year in Canada to work and travel and loved every minute of it! 6 months into my job I lost sight in my right eye and was diagnosed with optic neuritis. This was my disease rearing its ugly head. Fortunately after 3 days of prednisone my sight was restored. 11 months to the day after the optic neuritis I lost all feeling from my left foot all the way to under my left breast. As I crawled into my doctor’s office I knew the news wasn’t good. This time it took 5 days of prednisone but eventually the feeling came back. With this relapse came the official diagnosis and I was put on to immunotherapy which consists of daily injections. Thankfully I have not had a major relapse since but have had a few minor ones.

In 2009 I made the decision (with my doctor’s blessing) to move back to Toronto and take up a job opportunity with Macquarie. I left Sydney in May of ’09 and am still here in my apartment at Yonge & Bloor! I have fallen in love with Toronto the way that you fell in love with New York and really feel that this is where I am meant to be. I can only hope that I can find my prince charming while I’m over here…lol. I am active within the advocacy community and with Macquarie’s support have raised over $6000 in the last 18 months.

I just felt the urge to write to you and share my story as soon as I put your book down. Thank you for taking the time to put your thoughts, struggles and triumphs down on paper and to share with the world. I am inspired by your story and look forward to reading of your future adventures. If you ever find yourself in Toronto I would love to say hi and thank you in person.

All the best
Amanda

For more 5 star reviews copy and paste

http://www.amazon.com/Enemy-Within-strength-determination-acceptance/dp/1741108500