ARTICLES / General /Surviving
For Those Who Didn't /
Other ArticlesBy Amelia Owen
Because of
this privilege, I have a special place in my heart for
cancer patients and their caregivers. I am currently
working on my master’s degree in counseling, hoping to
use my experience and training to provide
psychosocial and emotional support for cancer patients
and their caregivers. I am also a licensed massage
therapist. I received National Certification for massage
therapy so that I may provide therapeutic touch for
those dealing with the effects of cancer, and someday
work in research on the benefits of massage and
psychotherapy for cancer patients and caregivers.
What seems to
be a very tragic and traumatic event at the time can
turn into something very positive. I was not damaged by
being left alone with my mother in the hospital at a
very young age during her recovery. I was not
traumatized by observing the severe effects of the
life-threatening disease of a loved one. I was not
injured by being a witness to the battle of cancer. I
was blessed. I had the opportunity to care for her the
way she did for me when I needed her most—when I was
weak and vulnerable and could not take care of myself.
What better way to repay the person who gave me life.
Amelia Owen is currently using her gift to write to
teach senior English in Pasadena, Texas. She works part
time as a massage therapist focusing on providing
medical massage. She will be completing her master's
program in May of 2012 in order to receive her license
to provide therapeutic counseling.
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