Beth Haswell:
CLASS OF 1984
J.J. Pearce High SchoolClass of 1984
Richardson, TX
University of North TexasClass of 1990
Denton, TX
Stephen F. Austin State UniversityClass of 1988
Nacogdoches, TX
Beth's Story
Life
I am happily married to my best friend from college. We never dated until we were engaged-surprise! We have been married 17 years and have two wonderful kids, a girl and a boy. I loved my work as a rehabilitation director and speech language pathologist until I was disabled in a life threatening car accident. It took two full years to "recover". Now my priorities (and my legs) are very different. I enjoy being a Mom more, doing family things and being involved in my kid's schools. I am a stay at home mother, so I can do more with my family. My husband works close by now so we see each other more. We have less money, but a full life and amazing friends. I still keep in touch with a group of random high school friends. I remain to this day the rebel hippie I was in high school, and I am raising independent and creative children. My life has had it's ups and downs, but the ride is still fun! My greatest regret it how much I miss my work helping the elderly, as the need is so great and the work so fulfilling. However, despite my disabilities and constant pain, I am blessed to be here with my husband raising my family.
As for "what I do", I spend a lot of time at home, which I surprisingly enjoy, doing mundane things. Get the hubby and kids off to school, do chores, help with homework, care for pets. Sound simple? HA! June Cleaver would strangle herself with her own pearls! Both of my pre-teen children have high IQ's, but learning disabilities that require all our time and attention. Our doctors visits and medication schedules, school programs and therapists take most of our time and all our money! I use my Master's degree and teching certificate now to try to decipher special services and tutor the kids! I have no regrets, as my husband and my children are my greatest inspiration in life and I know I am blessed.
On a personal note, I would like to say I find this website to be about as realistic as the Pearce High Scool Reunion television show. The Q & A section did not appear to apply to MY real life in any way, just as any media coverage I have seen in 25 years about PHS has been appallingly biased. No matter HOW I answer the questions my classmates profile would declare I liked musicals and rodents, or something else equally ridiculous. We are ALL far more than tv, statistics, media spin, Q & A's and blogs. See? Still a rebel...
School
I really enjoyed high school, mostly because of my friends and my involvement in marching band and choir. Despite lackluster grades due to pure lack of effort, I admired certain teachers who saw through my rebellion and encouraged my gifts. Those teachers included Raida Whitley, Robert Nelson, and the late Linda Lacey to name a few. I also had a great time having my brother as senior drum major my sophomore year. Thank you to him and ALL his friends who watched out for me! I was a rebel then, and I am a hippie now. Some things never change! I would like to hear from any old classmates who might somehow remember me. I am curious about specific people, but am wary what to wish for, as I just heard an old HS boyriend was in jail. It makes me sad and angry that things like suicide, bullying and drugs where obvious problems at Pearce and Plano 25 years ago, yet things like Columbine still happen today. My daughter is a HS freshman and I see the same "model schools" with th...Expand for more
e exact same problems today, even in my "smaller" city. How many of OUR classmates are at higher risk for personal problems as adults and what does this mean for our children's future? Something to ponder...
College
By far, college and graduate school were the "best" years of my life! I loved the freedom to learn anything I wanted, be myself, meet new people and grow as a person, as well as party and have fun(I admit it). I met my husband and made life long friendships and bonds. I attended Stephen F. Austin State University and recieved a bachelor's degree in Education in speech-language pathology. I then attended University of North Texas where I recieved a Master's of Science degree in speech-language pathology specializing in adult communication and swallowing disorders. I recieved the Honors of the Division upon graduation. I passed the national board exam and completed the required fellowship year (while planning our wedding). Even though I am no longer physically able to practice, I struggled to maintain my CEU's every year to retain my license as a matter of pride.
Workplace
I worked for 2 years after graduate school for a private practice that specialized in swallowing disorders. From there, I went to work in long term care and rehabilitation settings working with adults, predominately geriatrics, with communication and swallowing disorders. I worked full time as a rehabilitation director and speech pathologist until 1999 when I was injured in a catastrophic accident. After 2 years of recovery I went back to work part time. After numerous injuries and setbacks, I was sidelined for more surgeries. After several more attempts to return to work part time, even in a walking boot, the demands were too much due to severe osteoarthritis and pain, and I was forced to hang up my lab coat for good. One of my favorite activities as a therapist was supervising graduate student clinicians and giving guest lectures for UNT. I dream to one day be able to use my skills again to mentor future clinicians interested in geriatrics.
Surprises
I have met many obstacles and had many unexpected events in my life, all of which taught me great lessons. I did not expect to marry my best friend-I was planning to travel to Australia for a job. I did not expect to be disabled at 33, with young children. to raise. I did not plan on having gifted children with learning disabilities. No one expected the untimely death of my father. Despite the fact that we were told by numerous authority figures that statistically we would divorce, each hurdle has made us more of a team, each battle has made us stronger and wiser. We always have each other, and know neither of us could do this job alone! I have learned many lessons in life, but the three rules I always taught my clinicians that they never learned in school are: 1. You can't help everyone. 2. Not everyone wants to be helped. 3. Your patients (and others) will die. These are hard life lessons to learn. Other important lessons I've learned are to love many and tell them often; give freely of your self, time and money to mission work whether you think you can or not; adhere to your ethics, morals, and values at all cost; forgive yourself often for mistakes and go forward. In closing, remember the words of Elvis Costello "...What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding?"
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