Irma Resendez To book: 310-937-2789.
Award-winning Community Advocate, Inspirational,Motivational Speaker
Email speakers@bestkeynotes.com
“I have always believed that one person can make a difference,” - Irma Resendez
Irma Resendez went to bed one night after a routine day of work and a trip to the park with her two and three year-old daughters, Later that night, the then 28-year old Resendez found herself paralyzed from the waist down and with limited movement in her arms. "I told my husband 'Honey I can't feel my legs.'"
Her husband rushed her to the hospital in the middle of the night, and she began a journey through the University of Southern California Medical Center's intensive care unit and ultimately, the rehabilitation facility Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, where she stayed for three more months. While being wheeled to physical therapy, she finally found out the cause of her health problems. “A neurologist resident came by and said “Oh, by the way, I know what's wrong with you now. You have multiple sclerosis, and you'll probably never walk again,'" recalls Resendez. "I started crying, and they had to give me a shot to calm me down," she recalls.
Initial anger gave way to sadness as she wondered how she would care for her daughters and husband. Depression set in, but over time Irma's symptoms began to improve. Manifesting resilience, her natural optimism reemerged and she started to walk again, and returned to school. She earned Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work from California State University at Long Beach (CSLB). Through her experience as a patient and social worker, she learned how dire the need for in-language, culturally competent health care and social services was. Particularly with multiple sclerosis, support systems are very important to preserve the patient's mental health, according to Sara Brandt, private consultant and licensed marriage and family therapist working with the UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center. "It is really easy to slip into the depression or the anxiety with that diagnosis, because you don't know what's going to happen [as the illness progresses]," Resendez says. She had indeed found a new passion toward helping others. In 1998, she founded the nonprofit Familia Unida Living with Multiple Sclerosis, dedicated to providing information, support, and resources in English, Spanish and Chinese for patients with multiple sclerosis and other debilitating illnesses. Familia Unida has evolved to serving over 15,000 individuals each year. Grateful for the love and understanding of her own family, one of Resendez's main goals is to offer support networks for those who feel isolated, lonely and depressed. “"We become the family for a lot of people that don't have one" she explains. Irma Resendez has been recognized by the U.S. Congress, the State of California, corporations, and numerous national and local organizations for her commitment to her community and the disabled. Her honors include 2007 and 2008 Los Angeles County “Woman of the Year” awards. Today, Irma tours the country to promote volunteerism while tirelessly advocating for the rights of those dealing with disabilities and for cultural competency in health care and social services. She takes the stage to share her story and her vision in a keynote of personal and social empowerment highlighting the importance of love and support in healing and difficult times, and the power of the human spirit when facing daunting obstacles. Her moving and inspirational keynotes:”Who Am I?”, “Making a Difference: Calling on Every American,” and “The Power of Resilience, Focus, and Love” have been praised by corporate audiences and conferences across the nation.
To book Irma Resendeze for your upcoming event, call 310-937-2789, Skype leonorm-r, or email speakers@bestkeynotes.com
