Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Copelan.
Hi Erin, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As long as it’s the day after our move, I’ll be fine.
It was a sticky South Florida day in July, 2016. I wondered why we always end up moving in the summertime. The movers had just started unloading our furniture into our new home when I heard Jerry on the phone in the backyard, “It’s really not a good time, we’re moving right now.” I poked my head out the sliding glass door, my forehead scrunched in curiosity, “Who is that?” I interrupted.
“Oh, it’s the hospital,” my husband said very nonchalantly, “they have a liver for me, but I’m telling them it’s really not a good time.”
I snatched the phone from his ear, “How much time do we have?”
“I can give you 15 minutes,” the nurse’s voice was crisp and direct, “If I don’t hear from you I have to go to the next person on the list.”
Jerry was rolled back into surgery at 7:00am the day after our move. If I had known the Universe was listening I would have asked for more time.
“As long as the transplant is the day after our move, I’ll be fine.”
But my story isn’t Jerry’s story. My story is the experience of being a Caregiver. Being the chauffer, changing bloody, oozy, wound dressings, sleeping in pleather recliners next to a hospital bed, waking up in the middle of the night to administer meds, taking over all of the household duties, working a regular job… and trying not to lose my mind. My story is one of self-love. My calling is to share that story, that journey, to offer support to the world of Caregivers so they know they are not alone. So they know they can survive it too.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The world of Caregiving is a minefield of obstacles and challenges. The biggest for me was putting myself at the top of my list – heck getting myself ON the list was a challenge! Even now as I write it, I get a twinge up my spine that whispers, “Oh Erin, you sound so selfish!” But the real nitty-gritty truth is that if I’m not nourished physically and more importantly, mentally, I am in no position to share myself with others.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The book about my Caregiving journey is getting ready for publication (squeeeallll) and I’m just so excited to share my message with the world. There are many stories in support of cancer patients, but the stories of the Caregivers live quietly in the shadows. My dream is to shine a light on their world so they know they aren’t alone.
I am also the proud owner and operator of Simply Massage in Wilton Manors, FL. The same love I put into my Caregiving message goes into my massage business. Many of my clients suffer from chronic pain and I am proud that I have been able to combine all of my training into a technique based approach that is gentle yet offers the pain relief they need. I want to make massage easily accessible for everyone, so several years ago I shifted to an all-inclusive pricing model. For one flat rate my clients receive access to all of my tools and techniques, including gratuity (because who likes to do math after a massage?). No upcharges. No surprises. Just a great tool to support your health care regimen.
How do you think about luck?
It’s no joke – if I had known the Universe was listening to me I absolutely would have asked for more time after our move for Jerry’s liver to arrive (like maybe a month after the move, at least!).
Looking back I have discovered so many messages, the little nudges, and the giant shoves that have ultimately supported my dreams (and some of them were really painful!). Is it luck? Or is it my destiny? Perhaps I’m just lucky to have found my destiny; my voice.
Contact Info:
- Email: Erin@ErinCopelan.com
- Website: www.ErinCopelan.com
