SEE THE CHANGE

Lori LaBrie

 

Age:   38      Height:   5'1"
Initial Weight:  134

 

About Lori LaBrie
"My desire is to move positively into the next phase of my life and gain control of my mind, body, and soul."

I’m recently divorced, and my son is graduating high school and heading off to Spain for a study abroad language-immersion program. I will miss being a full-time mother and wife, but with a year and half until the completion of my graduate degree, it's time to focus my life back on me.

Lori Labrie

May 2008

My Story

In 1999, my ex-husband’s boxing career ended, and we made the decision that I would return to school to further my career. I left a job as a dental coordinator managing two dental offices and started taking classes toward a bachelor of healthcare administration. While starting my academic pursuit, I took a student's position in the president’s office of the university that paid approximately $800 a month. Soon after, my financial status caused much dissension in our home. Before I knew it, I was being tested beyond my levels but kept my focus on my ultimate goal: finishing school.

Then, my world instantly came crashing down when I lost my dad to a massive heart attack on Christmas day 2000. It hurt to breathe. I cried myself to sleep for weeks and took a semester off school.

Three years later, while still earning my undergraduate degree, my mom suffered a massive stroke. Over the next months, I balanced work, 18 hours of classes, and a 90-mile drive to be with her at the rehab hospital every Friday to Sunday. I remember my boss, the president of the university, said she didn’t know how I was doing it because I kept a smile on my face and came to work every day ready to work. A couple days later I broke down crying uncontrollably in the office just exhausted and a wreck. I was taking care of my mom, still grieving over my dad, trying to finish school, and my marriage was falling apart. I wasn’t my normal self. I was moody, depressed, and exhausted to say the least. I just couldn't bear with the thought of also losing my mom so soon after the loss of my dad. They are both my heroes and have always been my biggest cheerleaders. As of today, 5 years after suffering a massive stroke, learning to walk, talk, and live again, my mom continues to fight hard every day. The doctors never expected her to make it and say she is truly a miracle since she has no physical signs of a stroke of that magnitude. Coming back from the brink of death is no small feat. She's truly my inspiration.