To learn about colon cancer, we are joined by Gabrielle Shermanski. Gabrielle Shermanski completed her Master of Science in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College in 2020. She is a licensed, board-certified Genetic Counselor at Geisinger with 4 years of clinical experience in adult oncology. Gabrielle's primary interests include helping patients with inherited breast cancer syndromes and inherited GI syndromes facilitate further care and communicate results to family members. Gabrielle has a strong interest in education, mentorship, and outreach opportunities. Her hobbies outside of work include cooking and hanging out with her puppy, RJ.

During the episode Gabrielle mentioned the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s colon cancer guidelines, which you can find here.

Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.

In the second part of our conversation with Zach Ship, hosts Cathy and Beth explore the next chapter of his journey—an unexpected health crisis that led to blindness and hearing loss.

Before listening to this episode, check out the first part of our conversation with Zach about his kidney transplant. This is our previous episode (#44).

While on vacation in Madrid, Zach suffered from encephalitis, or brain inflammation that resulted in a vasculitis, which is effectively a stroke to the eyes. This episode dives deep into Zach’s physical and emotional recovery, the challenges of adapting to a new way of life, and his determination to thrive despite the obstacles.

Zach recounts the difficult early days after losing his sight and hearing, his extensive rehabilitation process, and how he rediscovered a sense of purpose through work, blind baseball, and advocacy for the disabled community.

Zach Ship is the Director within the Finance organization at Harry’s Inc., where he continues to work full-time after adapting to significant vision and hearing loss. After a health crisis led to blindness, Zach embarked on a new chapter of life, tackling new challenges with optimism and determination. He is passionate about disability advocacy and is involved in blind baseball.

• The Health Crisis in Madrid: While on vacation, Zach began experiencing symptoms of encephalitis, a serious brain inflammation that led to a stroke. He details the events that led to him being hospitalized and the devastating impact on his vision and hearing.
• Coming to Terms with Blindness: Zach describes the shock of waking up in the hospital unable to walk, see, or hear properly. He shares his initial emotions and how he began to come to terms with the reality of his new situation.
• Rehabilitation and Learning to Adapt: After a month in the hospital, Zach spent an extended period in a rehabilitation facility learning to walk and care for himself again. He reflects on the physical and emotional toll of the rehab process and how he adapted to the challenges of daily life as a blind person.
• Returning to Work: Zach shares how Harry’s Inc. supported him during his recovery and the accommodations they made when he returned to work full-time. He offers insights into the workplace adjustments necessary for someone with visual and hearing impairments.
• Blind Baseball and Advocacy: Zach found a new passion in blind baseball and has since become a strong advocate for the disabled community. He explains how blind baseball helped him rediscover his love for sports and provided a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment.

During the episode Zach mentioned our most popular episode was with Brooke Eby (Episode #16). He also mentioned JAW, Job Access With Speech, which is the world’s most popular screen reader, developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content or navigating with a mouse.

Check out the upcoming documentary that Zach will be featured in here. If you are feeling generous you can also consider donating to the documentary’s funding here!

Another resource we want to highlight is organdonor.gov, where you can learn more about organ donation.

Zach’s strength and positivity shine through in this episode as he describes how he has adapted to life after losing his sight and hearing. His journey is a powerful reminder that even in the face of immense challenges, it is possible to find new passions and live a fulfilling life.

Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”. In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.

In this episode of It Happened To Me, hosts Cathy and Beth sit down with Zachary Ship, a remarkable individual who has faced incredible health challenges. This is part one of the conversation where Zach shares the powerful story of how his mother, Shari, donated a kidney to save his life. Shari was a guest on our last episode of It Happened To Me (#43). At just 19 years old, Zach was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure due to an autoimmune disease. He takes us through the emotional rollercoaster of receiving a life-saving transplant from his mother while navigating the challenges of young adulthood.

From the first signs of illness as a teenager to his recovery after the transplant, Zach’s journey is one of resilience, family strength, and determination. Tune in to hear how Zach’s life was forever changed and how he adapted after receiving the gift of life from his mom.

Guest Bio:

Zach Ship is the Director within the Finance organization at Harry’s Inc. A graduate of NYU’s Stern School of Business, Zach was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure during his freshman year of college, resulting in a kidney transplant from his mother. Zach’s incredible journey to recovery is a testament to his strength and his family’s support.

• The First Signs of Trouble: Zach shares how a routine urine test for sports led to the discovery of a serious autoimmune disease that attacked his kidneys, forever altering the course of his life.
• A Family United: As Zach’s health declined, his mother Shari stepped forward as his kidney donor. Zach describes the process of preparing for the transplant and the emotions involved in receiving such a profound gift from his mom.
• Facing Kidney Failure at 19: At an age when most people are focused on college and social life, Zach was told he was in end-stage renal failure. He details the physical toll of renal failure, the symptoms, and the medical interventions required.
• The Transplant Experience: Zach explains the transplant surgery itself, what it felt like to receive his mother’s kidney, and how the medical team managed the process to ensure a successful outcome.
• Life After the Transplant: Zach returned to school just a month and a half after the surgery, a remarkable recovery. He reflects on the precautions he had to take post-transplant and how he adapted to life after the operation, learning to navigate new health challenges while trying to live a normal college life.

Please help support Zach by making a donation for his team’s travel funds so they can compete in 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Blind Baseball International Cup taking place just outside of London. The United States Blind Baseball Association (USBBA) is a charitable, non-profit corporation. USBBA is dedicated to the development, management, regulation and promotion of their mixed gender adaptive sport of Blind Baseball.

If you are able to assist us in our 2024 fundraising efforts, please make checks payable to U.S. Blind Baseball Association, and mail to the address below or use these QR codes to send money through Venmo or PayPal.

U.S. Blind Baseball Association P.O. Box 312 Lindenhurst, NY 11757

Another resource we want to highlight is organdonor.gov, where you can learn more about organ donation.

Check out the documentary that Zach will be featured in here. If you are still feeling generous you can also consider donating to the documentary’s funding here!

Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me” where we continue our conversation with Zach to learn about his vision loss and adapting to this disability as an adult! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.

Shari Ship's story is a remarkable tale of a mother's unwavering love and sacrifice for her son. As a widow and caregiver to her 97-year-old mother, Shari selflessly donated a kidney to her son Zachary, who was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called membranous nephropathy that attacked his kidneys. Despite the challenges of caring for her ailing husband who passed away from lung cancer, Shari remained steadfast in her commitment to her family.

When Zachary's condition worsened, leading to end-stage renal failure, Shari made the courageous decision to become a living kidney donor for her son. With the support of her 85-year-old mother and the compassionate medical team, Shari underwent a rigorous testing process, including a psychiatric evaluation, to ensure her eligibility as a donor.

The transplant surgery was a success, despite a last-minute scare, and Zachary's life was saved. Shari endured the pain and recovery process with determination, fueled by the immense love for her son. Zachary's immediate improvement, from "drowning in his own fluid" to urinating normally, was a testament to the transformative power of this selfless act.

Shari’s inspiring story highlights the strength of a mother's love, the resilience of the human spirit, and the profound impact of organ donation in saving lives. Her unwavering support and her son's remarkable recovery serve as a beacon of hope for families facing similar challenges.

Key Lessons

• Shari Ship's selfless act of donating a kidney to her son Zachary, who later became visually impaired.

• Shari's courageous decision to donate her own kidney when Zachary's condition worsened, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to her son's well-being.

• The family's resilience and the power of a parent's love, as evidenced by Zachary being described as "indomitable" despite the challenges they faced.

Please help support Shari’s son Zachary by making a donation for his team’s travel funds so they can compete in 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation’s (WBSC) Blind Baseball International Cup taking place just outside of London. The United States Blind Baseball Association (USBBA) is a charitable, non-profit corporation. USBBA is dedicated to the development, management, regulation and promotion of our mixed gender adaptive sport of Blind Baseball.

If you are able to assist us in our 2024 fundraising efforts, please make checks payable to U.S. Blind Baseball Association, and mail to the address below or use these QR codes on our website (ithappenedtomepod.com) to send money through Venmo or PayPal.

U.S. Blind Baseball Association P.O. Box 312 Lindenhurst, NY 11757

Another resource we want to highlight is organdonor.gov, where you can learn more about organ donation.

In the next new episode of “It Happened To Me” we interview Shari’s son Zachary about his perspective on the experience about his health issues. In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.

In this episode of It Happened To Me, hosts Cathy and Beth are joined by Tanita Allen, a resilient advocate for Huntington’s Disease (HD) and the author of the touching memoir, We Exist. Tanita shares her personal journey with HD, from her initial symptoms and challenging diagnostic process to her current role as a self-advocate and member of The HD Community Advisory Board.

Tanita discusses the complexities of living with HD, a condition often described as a combination of Parkinson’s, ALS, and Alzheimer’s. She offers insight into the importance of genetic testing, the impact of environmental factors on her early onset, and the emotional journey of being the first in her family to be diagnosed with this rare genetic condition. Additionally, Tanita shares her five key strategies for maintaining a hopeful disposition in the face of medical challenges.

Tanita Allen is a dedicated advocate for Huntington’s Disease and the author of *We Exist*, a memoir documenting her journey with HD. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs and is a certified paralegal. Tanita's advocacy work is enriched by her extensive experience in customer service and sales. She is a member of The HD Community Advisory Board and has been featured in Forbes, where she discussed the significance of self-advocacy and collaboration.

Key Discussion Points:

• Understanding Huntington’s Disease (HD): Tanita describes HD as a trifecta of Parkinson’s, ALS, and Alzheimer’s. She shares her experiences with the hallmark symptoms and discusses the prevalence of HD in the population.
• Diagnostic Journey: Tanita opens up about the challenges she faced in receiving a diagnosis, particularly the added complexity of being a Black woman. She details her experience with genetic testing, including the significance of CAG repeats in the HTT gene and how her results correlated with her early onset of symptoms.
• Emotional Impact and Family Dynamics: Tanita reflects on how she processed her diagnosis and the emotional toll it took, especially as the first person in her family to be diagnosed with HD. She also shares the story of another family member who was later diagnosed.
• Five Strategies for Hope: Tanita outlines the five key strategies she discusses in her book for maintaining a hopeful outlook:
  • Embracing Change and Adapting
  • Learning from Difficult Moments
  • The Power of Community
  • Celebrating Milestones
  • Making Self-Care a Priority
• Advice for Others: Tanita offers parting advice for those facing medical challenges, emphasizing the importance of self-care, community support, and staying hopeful.

Please check out Tanita’s book, “We Exist”. You can order a copy directly from her website, tanitaallen.com. Also check out her Forbes article, “Why Self-Advocacy Can Help You Become An Invaluable Collaborator”.

Stay tuned for the next new episode of “It Happened To Me”! In the meantime, you can listen to our previous episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “It Happened To Me”.

“It Happened To Me” is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. DNA Today’s Kira Dineen is our executive producer and marketing lead. Amanda Andreoli is our associate producer. Ashlyn Enokian is our graphic designer.

See what else we are up to on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and our website, ItHappenedToMePod.com. Questions/inquiries can be sent to ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.