Gretchen Olmsted:  

Life My Spouse I met Mark up at Colorado State University. I was an Exercise and Sport Science Major studying to be a physical educator during my years at CSU. Mark played football for the school. We would frequently run into each other at Moby Gym. We also had mutual friends that sealed our relationship. We have been married for 25 years. My Kids Luke is a special needs child. Born 3 months premature, he has overcome a number of life threatening obstacles. Luke has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and has significant developmental delays. In spite of his early life struggles, he is the happiest 20 year old I know. He has taught me how to be a better parent, physical educator and person. He is my hero. My second son, Jackson was born 14 and a half years ago. He too, was premature by two months, but has no physical and developmental repercussions, thank goodness. It is like being a first time parent having Jackson. He too is a delight and a great joy in my life. My Job I taught both Health and Physical Education to Middle school age kids (6th-8th grade) in Evergreen, CO. I am presently a CNA at PASCO a home health agency that provides services for the elderly and disabled. It has been a privilege to work in this field for the past 12 years. Thankfully my job allows me to be at home and serve as Luke's private CNA. As much as I loved teaching, I am afraid I missed my calling and should have gone into Nursing. So much of my adult life has been dedicated to caring for others. My Mother passed away this past Christmas from Parkinson's disease and my Father is currently battling Alzheimer's. Workplace After finally graduating from CSU (I took a year off to work in the Grand Tetons National Park) I got a degree in Exercise/Sport Science with a teaching concentration grades K-12. I worked at Shawnee Mission Medical Center in Overland Park, KS. at the onsite newborn-Kindergarten childcare facility. There I was a P.E. coordinator working with infants-school age children. After moving back to CO. and marrying my husband, a CO. native, I subbed and worked ...Expand for more