Overcoming obstacles to better others

Her passion is to help people experience true holistic health and well-being.

Traverse has a background in all types of acute and rural nursing and wellness coordination. She has spent many years in hemodialysis, neurology, disease prevention and education and chronic disease management.

She is also a certified respiratory educator and has various certificates in mental health, cardiovascular care and mindfulness and meditation.

Traverse didn’t always consult for the LCSD or work for Hunt Psychological Services as things changed for her in March of 2015 when she had a serious stroke.

“It was quite a severe stroke, and we still don’t know what exactly caused it,” she said.

“I was quite healthy at the time of the stroke and was even a marathon runner, and one day I woke up and couldn’t speak or express myself.”

Traverse explained her stroke didn’t leave her with any phys - ical symptoms, so at the time, the physician thought it was a migraine and was hopeful her speech would come back.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

“I could understand everything, but I couldn’t speak, read, write or communicate ... all of that was taken away from me,” she said.

“At the time, my life consisted of rehabilitation and figuring out what life looks like.

“I was a new mom and had a career, and I think being a nurse and being smart were part of my identity ... I had to figure out who I was without any of that.”

For anyone going through something similar to Traverse, she explained her best advice would be for that person to take all the time they need.

“Ask for help, get all of the resources you can, and give yourself grace,” she said.

“I think society pushes us to recovery as quickly as possible, and a quick recovery is also often praised ... but when people tell you you’re, inspiring it’s tough to tell them you’re scared.

“I think being honest and open and asking for help is the biggest thing.” lot of people have that and I feel lucky,” she said.

“And if I can do something to help someone else out, that’s all I can ask for.”

Since her stroke, it’s safe to say Traverse has been an inspiration to many, but what makes someone inspirational to Traverse?

“People reach out to me daily with things they want to talk about such as chronic health issues, a stroke, cancer, you name it,” she said.

Traverse also explained how, since she had such a great recovery and resources, she continues to look for things to educate herself on to this day.

“I have education, I have a phenomenal husband and a phenomenal family, and because of those things, I’m recovering well. Not a

“They’re getting up and doing the activities of daily living such as making their kids’ lunches, which can sometimes feel like it’s too much, but, they’re doing it and they’re also reaching out and asking for help.

“That‘s what inspires me. It doesn’t have to be a big grand gesture.”

Traverse and her husband, Craig have two kids together, a 13-year-old and a nine-year-old.