Dana
“Being a woman means balance and stability. As women we juggle so much between work, motherhood, emotions, physical health, mental health, proving ourselves...the list is endless but somehow women tend to find balance. As women, we’re able to juggle all these labels, needs, wants, and feelings with grace.”
Dana is thriving most when she is juggling a range of responsibilities, from serving as a foster mom to supporting students with disabilities in the classroom. Her compassionate and devoted soul has allowed her to graciously take on these roles with an optimistic lens. She documents her experience as a foster mom on her blog, where she offers general information and personal reflections on her journey thus far. It is evident that serving others brings her immense happiness, gratitude, and fulfillment. Meet Dana. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
D: My name is Dana Healy.
K: Describe yourself in your own words
D: I am a (foster) mom, teacher, friend, sister, and daughter. I would consider myself one of the most extroverted extroverts. I love listening, giving advice, supporting, loving, and being there for others. I am passionate about my job, my family, and advocating for my kids! I am learning to put my needs up there with others, and that is something I'm hoping to shape and change within myself, thank goodness for therapy because I know I couldn't do it on my own. I also like to consider myself a professional bridesmaid, in the most positive way! I could be Katherine Heigel from 27 dresses, but being able to stand beside my friends and family on their happiest day brings me such joy! And yes, I am single, but it finally doesn't define me in a big way anymore but still deserves to be noted because it is part of who I am.
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
D: My favorite thing about myself is that I'm happy in my own skin! We all have our flaws, and I'm not a woman with the highest self-esteem, but I love my life. The day-to-day simplicities that some wish for and I have are not lost on me.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
D: I think the biggest moment that defined me, happened as a freshman in high school. I was about to be confirmed and we had to complete a service project. My class did an adopt-a-family which is pretty standard around the holidays. I had so many questions as to why an 8-year-old boy was asking for Dora the Explorer toys and board books. My dad encouraged me to go meet with the father and son to give all the items bought. Again, this struck me as odd, why was the 8-year-old boy coming with, would this give him ideas about Santa or bring up lots of questions?
When I got there I met the boy. His father shared that he has autism - definitely the first time I heard that word. He shared pieces about his son, their life, and the rest of their family. I played and read with the boy for only 30 minutes. By the time I go home, I knew what I wanted to do for my career in life. I am an 8th year LBS1 teacher which means I now teach individuals with disabilities. This also sparked my passion to learn more about different disabilities, how to support students and families and how to advocate.
K: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
D: The piece of advice I'd give my younger self is to trust in yourself and who you are. Looking back I can see certain areas I tried to prove myself to be like others but different from me. If I ran into someone from high school that I haven't seen since graduation - I don't think they'd be surprised at who I am 11 years later, but a few years in my early 20's I think they'd be shocked! If I knew to trust my young adulthood as much as I did that freshman who knew her career after one interaction, I may have been able to dive deeper into myself and how I want to make an impact on the world. I'm doing this now, but I wasted a few years trying to change myself into someone I'm not.
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
D: Being a woman means balance and stability. As women we juggle so much between work, motherhood, emotions, physical health, mental health, proving ourselves...the list is endless but somehow women tend to find balance. As women, we're able to juggle all these labels, needs, wants, and feelings with grace.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to them if they were here now?
D: One woman who inspires me is my grandmother. She was the greatest with kids, still is! She, unfortunately, has dementia so not all days are good days, whenever we visit she sure is smiling and interacting in her own way with my kids. As a kid, I don't think I realized all she did for others but as an adult, if I can be even 1/4 of the woman she is - I feel I'll be doing good in this world.