Valerie Brekke:  

Hi everyone! After graduation from West High School I married and had/raised four children (I adopted my step-daughter, Lorrie and had three boys, Matthew, Michael, and Christopher). We lived in Princeton, Iowa until I divorced in 1984 and moved back to Davenport and went to Scott Community College. After graduation from Scott, I went to St. Ambrose, and then graduated with a B.A. from Marycrest, where I also went on to work on a Master's degree. I got a wonderful job at the Rock Island Arsenal where I got to travel, lobby congress on Capital Hill, work with the media and legislators. I was VP of my union and really enjoyed my work! Unfortunately, my health severely deteriorated with rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and a spinal condition, as well as a bunch of other illnesses, syndromes and conditions too numerous (and boring) to mention. I had over twelve surgeries (four total joint replacements, ankle fusion, three ruptured tendons, blah, blah), so finally, after fighting and struggling to keep up with my career, I had to throw in the towel and retire on disability. I ended up homebound wit...Expand for more