H.O.W. feature – Gayla McCord
It’s H.O.W. feature again. Infact, I have been looking forward to introduce another story to you. Many of you would have heard of Gayla McCord, the site owner of MomGadget.com and editor of a few other blogs. I stumbled upon Gayla’s story and blogs when I was searching for a WAHM forum few months ago. After looking at few, I participated in the forum, checked it out and found it so useful for anyone who needs support and help in professional blogging. What I like about Gayla is her readiness to help and offer advice to anyone who has a question. She’s ever so helpful, friendly and easy-going, and most of all, real. This is Gayla’s story…
Gayla McCord modestly refers to herself as “a mix of Daisy Duke and Scarlet O’Hara†and many who’ve met her finds it to be a fairly accurate description of the personality she possesses. She’s often been described as having a sense of humor that would never allow conceit.
Having begun her work at home career as a health advocate, she still holds those efforts near and dear.
CelebAmour.com is her original little corner of b5media that she began writing for in November 2005. Since that time it’s become more of an escape from her many other projects. Prior to joining the b5 team, her primary focus was STD support, education, awareness and responsible singles through The STD Resource which she founded and maintains to this day.
Long story short, following her divorce nearly 10 years ago she obtained a complete STD screening, chaos unleashed when she found that STD tests aren’t what people believe them to be. Anger fueled a passion that would later bring Gayla to divulge many of the deceptions in the medical community and challenge her local government to provide answers as to why so many people are being deceived by something that has the potential to be as life altering as an STD diagnosis when they don’t have to be.
It was during those same efforts that former Indiana Governor Frank O’Bannon informed her that neonatal testing – which is testing that’s conducted prior to women giving birth – was lacking as well. It was this “lack in testing†and “oversight†that was costing the lives of hundreds of babies each year when it didn’t have to. Governor O’Bannon invited Gayla to speak before a panel that following December to present argument on why policy should be changed. It was, at least in Indiana!
From those efforts an alter ego was formed. An ego that was much more vocal and bold than her normal self would ever allow – she suddenly had a “cause†to fight for. Gayla is naturally a very shy person – though you’d never know it from her writings.
From the desk of Gayla…
Following my divorce, the boys and I struggled beyond what I’d ever believed possible. I had been ill for about 7 months, endured many tests and nothing could be found. It was at that time that I learned about the STD testing not being complete – I had not been tested for herpes, hpv or HIV and feared I may have been exposed to HIV – all the symptoms pointed that direction.
I began preparing for when I’d be gone, arranging for my mom to take my kids into Canada where my ex couldn’t find them, I lined up a grave plot – I was almost literally digging my grave. I finally got the courage to have the blood test. Waiting two weeks was the hardest thing I ever had to do especially at Christmas time. I phoned my doctor everyday that second week to see what the results would be. He phoned my office on that Friday afternoon saying that the results were in and though I would normally have to come to his office to get them, it was late and he wanted me to know they were negative before the weekend. I remember standing in my office screaming, “Thank God I’m going to live! I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I AM Going to LIVE!â€
One of my boys talked about this battleship he wanted so much. It was expensive and I didn’t know how I was going to afford it on my salary. God blessed me so much that year with a bit of a bonus that afforded that battleship and other Christmas surprises. It was so large that I hid it in the shed.
Christmas morning came and the disappointment on that little face after all the gifts were opened was almost too much. Grandpa told him to come with him and help shovel snow. They went to the shed to get the shovels and you could hear the little fellow screaming miles away. “OH, OH, OH†he said grabbing this box bigger than he was and trying to run through drifts of snow. By the time the little guy made it to the house he and the battleship were covered from head to toe in snow but nothing could have been more heartwarming.
A month after Christmas it was found that I had Epstein Barr Virus – a chronic form of mono and that was where all my health problems were stemming from. By February I was feeling like my old self and what I have to live with is pale in comparison to what I originally thought I had.
It was that Christmas that made me realize just how special and short life can be. It was also at that point that I set a personal goal to begin working from home within the year. God blessed me that July with an offer that was just too good to be true! I was finally working from home and totally accessible to my 4-year-old twins and I’d never have to leave them with sitters, daycares or relatives again. The twins are actually able to participate in any sport or activity they like. It’s so nice to never have to worry about scheduling conflicts.
Because of what I endured that Christmas and because I am fortunate enough to be able to stay at home with my kids, I’ve now set a new goal for myself. I want to pass on what God has blessed me with – that being to provide other parents who want to work from home a hope that the possibilities are very real.
I think the world would be SO much better if more parents were taking interest in the adults their children become instead of placing those impressionable little personalities in the hands of people who have no vested interest.
The most important lesson I am passing on to my children is multiple lessons in one. It’s the lesson and belief in karma. I hope they always realize that being nice and doing good does eventually offer up it’s rewards and those who wrong others eventually pay regardless of whether we actually see it or not.
It must be working because both boys have been recognized numerous times for citizenship and sportsmanship at school and in their sports. I couldn’t be more proud!
By my children being recognized for the personalities I helped create, it’s as if I’m being rewarded in so many more ways than just financially – for choosing to work from home.
You can find me and all my ventures at:
http://www.momgadget.com
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Wonderful feature of one of my favorite bloggers and friends! The thing I love most about Gayla is her desire for us all to succeed together!
I promise I will get my stuff to you soon – I’m waiting on a finalization of something first.
January 18th, 2007 at 3:54 pmYes – I totally agree. I’m touched and encouraged by her readiness to help others. She gives me the courage and strength to keep pressing on towards success in my internet ventures.
January 18th, 2007 at 4:42 pm