This is a wonderful opportunity for you to meet The Grove Approach Associates.  You will see where they are located, what their professions are, and how they decided to be an associate!

Associates in training: Julie Bjur - Boring, Or Laura Cox, M.D. - Port Charlotte, FL Rebecca Howard - Bristol, VA     Lori's Biography Lori Katz - Minneapolis, Minnesota My name is Lori Katz.  I live in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota.  I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2007 by my internist, who sent me to a Rheumatologist to confirm the diagnosis.  As far back as I can remember feeling constant fatigue and unwell were the norm for me.    I think I have had fibromyalgia most of my adult life. Thinking back, the trigger may have been a car accident in 1973.  As a result of the accident I suffered with headaches and neck pain which were treated by a Neurologist.   The headaches and neck pain have continued throughout my adulthood.   Constant headaches have had a huge impact on my life.   In the 90’s – I was diagnoses with Temporal-mandibular Joint Disease (TMJ).  After trying conventional treatments, such as physical therapy and wearing a dental device, it was determined that I should have surgery to repair the TM joints on both sides of my jaw.    My headaches were better for many years after that.    Unfortunately, I had a couple more minor car accidents over the next 15 years which caused further strain to my neck.              I was resigned to the fact that headaches and neck pain would be part of my life, but I did my best to stay healthy.  I exercised regularly and watched my diet.   When I turned 50 in 2006, I decided to challenge myself as I have never done.   To honor a close friend and others with breast cancer, I participated in a 3 Day/ 60 mile walk for breast cancer.   I trained rigorously for 6 months.  I noticed that many of the women I trained with were able to complete long training walks and still have enough energy to go out socially that same night.   I however, would go home and collapse on the couch with no energy left to do anything.   When the day of the walk approached I had been nursing a cold for a couple days, but I was not going to let that prevent me from obtaining my goal.   Participating in the walk was one of the major highlights of my life.   Sleeping in a tent for two very damp & cold nights however was awful!  By the time the walk completed I had severe laryngitis.    Two days later (still having no voice) I returned to work as a teacher.             I haven’t been well since.   I experienced numbness in one of my thighs for which no cause was found by a neurologist.   My cold developed into a sinus infection which had to be treated with several courses of antibiotics and eventually 2 surgeries.   I ached all over.   After many visits to my internist and numerous blood tests which came up negative, I said to my doctor “now what?”    She mentioned Fibromyalgia could be the cause, but didn’t pursue it further.    After several weeks with no change in symptoms – I asked her to please test me for Fibromyalgia.  She sent me to the rheumatologist who confirmed the diagnosis.               I eventually switched to a different health system where there was more continuity of care.  Treatments I have received include:  medications for sleep, depression/Fibromyalgia and numerous supplements.   I participate in a water exercise class specifically for patients with Fibromyalgia attend a monthly Fibromyalgia support group and I monitor my diet.              When I was initially diagnosed, I began searching the internet for resources to help manage my Fibromyalgia.  As a result of the search I learned about The Grove Approach.             I attended the University of Minnesota where I graduated with a B.A degree in Psychology.  After a rigorous job pursuit, I accepted a clerical position in a local hospital as a Health Unit Coordinator (HUC).  Although, my intent was to work in this position only until I found a job which directly applied to my degree – I found that the job as a HUC was perfect for me.   A HUC works on a patient care unit in a variety of health care facilities.  The role of the HUC is to disseminate the components of patient care orders written by physicians to the appropriate care giver or department.   Keeping the nursing unit running smoothly and efficiently is paramount to the position.  Working in this role, affords the HUC with a vast array of knowledge in the many modalities and specialties in the healthcare environment.  My passion for the career of Health Unit Coordinator eventually led me to become a HUC instructor at a Technical College and a member of the education board of the National Association of HUC.  During my tenure as an instructor I completed a Master of Education degree with a focus on Adult Education and Human Resource Development.             I was very excited to learn about the Grove Associate Program.   I have struggled to maintain a balanced lifestyle and have had regular communication with many other Fibromyalgia sufferers who have struggled as well.  Finding continuity among resources can be confusing and frustrating.  The Grove Approach provides participants with a plan of action which they can use to work towards a balanced and enriching life, even while living with Fibromyalgia.   It will be a great pleasure to be able to teach The Grove Approach locally.            Janet's Biography                                                                                    Janet Gladis - Panama City, Florida             My name is Janet Gladis.  I am a licensed Massage Therapist in the state of Florida MA 38026. I am very happy to be associated with The Grove Approach LLC.                 I was born in Butler,  PA.  I have a BA degree in Home Economics from Mecyhurst College in Erie, PA.      I left there when I was 23 years old to travel for a retail company.  I worked in retail for 25 years.   I  moved  over  17 times until  I  relocated  to Panama city, Florida  in  1990, where I have lived for over 20 years.  My retired Mother moved with me to Florida.  She lived with me until her death in 2005 at the age o f 87 with Alzheimer disease.                 I first had the pain of fibromyalgia in 1985 while I was working in Long Island, NY where I was managing a women’s retail store.  I had terrible rib pain that developed after I had done a regimen of Acutane for my acne.  It developed when I had two weeks of the treatment remaining.  After all the tests I was told I probably had arthritis and to take aspirin.  I was 34 years old and would suffer in the winters with my ribs hurting all the time.                   I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia by a rheumatologist in 1990.  I was told to take anti depressants and pain pills.  I worked and functioned in pain all the time.  In 2000 at the age of 81 my Mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer disease.  That started five years of taking care of her 24/7 and my fibromyalgia was full blown.  I continued to function without medication; massage was the only thing that gave me relief.   That is how I became a massage therapist.  I went back to school at the age of 52 while taking care of my Mother before she became unmanageable.              After her death, I was driving in the car, had the radio on and was listening to a health show about fibromyalgia and the speaker was Dr Teitelbaum.  I pulled off the road to get the website that he was giving for more information.  That was the beginning of my healing process.  I was treated at the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Clinic in Marietta Georgia, north of Atlanta.  I started treatment in 2007 and I am now on maintenance.  I go back once a year and continue the routine.  It was a whole change of life process.  If I wanted to get better I had to take charge of my life.  I had already read books on the disease.  The clinic helped reinforce and give me more information.               In this process, I had my sister in Pittsburgh, Pa. go to a presentation that Dr. Teitlbaum was giving about the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Clinic.  There she met Karen Grove and purchased her DVD on Fibroga 2.  She felt that I was more advanced, so I skipped Fibroga 1.  That is how I had my first contact with Karen.  I am very happy that I was on her mailing list.  That is how I found out about the Associate Program.                  I have been a massage therapist for seven years and have a lot of clients in pain because they were diagnosed with fibromyalgia.   Massage helps them.    Massage has helped me before I took any medication.   I get a massage once a week.  It helps the pain and teaches you how to relax which is part of what I had to do to get better.                If you change your  lifestyle, eating habits, medication, self care, you can get better.  I do water aerobics five days a week.  I kayak three to four times  a week and work in between.  I work for myself, so I can determine when I work and when I do not.  I still have to pace myself.  I have gone from a pain level of 10 and sleeping 3 hours a night to eight hours of sleep, with a half-hour nap,if needed.  My current  pain level is two on a scale of 10.  It gets higher if I overwork.  When you feel good you tend to overdue sometimes.               I look forward to working to change your life and start the road to recovery and a better quality of life. Remember it does take work.   Life gets better as you feel better.  It does take time.       Kristie's Biography Kristie Reagle RN, BSN, BS, BA - Erie, Pennsylvania   I am excited to be an associate of the Grove Approach, Inc.! I have been living with fibromyalgia for 10 years. Officially diagnosed in 2002 by my family doctor, I was placed on medications to help. This was effective until 2006. At this point my husband, found the Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Centers on-line. I went to the Cleveland Center and then transferring to the Pittsburgh center. They ran every blood test imaginable. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I was so sick and my immune system extremely compromised. I had 5 chronic infections: two forms of pneumonia, Mononucleosis, Herpes Zoster, and Candidiasis (yeast infection throughout my organs). I was "detoxed" by the center. I was working as a Registered Nurse at the time with people who acquired pneumonia easily. So, I had to leave that area of nursing to stop re-infecting myself. Then in January of 2007, my husband saw an article in the newspaper about Karen’s program. He said he was signing me up for it as my birthday present. This was the best birthday present I could have ever received! Being a dancer all of my life, the Fibromyalgia was slowly taking my passion away. With the Grove Approach for Healthier Living with Fibromyalgia, I was able to regain my life back and return to dance after learning the Fibroga strengthening exercises and understanding what types of food were just not good for me.  I graduated from Mercyhurst College with a BS in Biology/Nursing Major while working on a dance minor. I was simultaneously cross-registering at Gannon University and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. While in nursing school, I worked as a nurse’s aide at a residential facility for children and adults with developmental disabilities. I absolutely loved the work. While working at a local hospital I became very interested in pain management treatments that a physician was doing. I was then hired by this doctor and worked with him, traveling to the hospitals and doing pre and post procedure education to the patients. While working with this doctor many people would come in with this problem called "Fibromyalgia" and in 1999-2001, as a nurse I knew nothing about the diagnosis. So I asked the office manager if we had any information on it. She told me where to find a pamphlet on the disorder and it felt like I was reading a medical biography about myself! I denied having the problem until I was in so much pain and brain fog that I could only go to work and sleep! I then returned as a Registered Nurse in 2001 to the facility that I worked for as an aide. This facility started a dance program for their clients with a teacher that I was currently taking classes from. I was so inspired by the program that I finally figured out what I wanted to do…combining my knowledge as a nurse with my passion for dance. I completed an Art Therapy Degree with a focus in Dance Therapy with honors in 2005. I then started my own business called Adaptive Arts of Pennsylvania Dance Studio. I re-opened the business this year at Lake Erie Ballet and have been hired on faculty there to assistant teach dance to pre-schoolers. I have a younger sister with cerebral palsy and she always wanted to dance, but many dance teachers are afraid. My Adaptive Arts Studio definitely has been influenced by my sister’s want to dance and to find her "dancer within".   Cleure Chemically Safe Skin, Body, Mouth, Hair Care, and Cosmetics are a very important part of The Grove Approach and to me personally.  If you would like to see the products and learn more about the safety of the products click here on my link to Cleure: