Pout Magazine | Page 18

something happened to me, no one was going to take care of Gabriel. I decided to improve my attitude and perception. I also realized that I had given my power away, by assigning my problem to someone else to solve. I no longer waited for the teacher to teach, the preacher to lay hands and heal, or the doctor to prescribe a magic pill that would help Gabriel. I started focusing on the positive instead of the negative. I focused on wellness and not illness; strength instead of weakness; ability instead of disability. When I changed my mindset, Gabriel began to get better. Every day I spoke life into him versus disability. Today, Gabriel is a happy, healthy, boy who is full of life. He participates in talent shows performing inspirational rap songs, he has done commercials and loves to swim and bake cakes. BEAUTIES WHO MEAN BUSINESS As my story unfolded, I realized the blessing in the lesson. Sometimes you can’t receive the blessing until you learn the lesson. In school we are taught lessons, then given tests. In life, it is the opposite. We are given tests that teach us the lesson. The lessons for me were to believe and never give up. The power to believe is your most valuable tool. About Ms. Believe Our team is hard at work setting goals to partner with 100 nonprofit organizations and achieve $1 million in sales for the Believe product line. I will continue to speak, teach and advocate. I am on a journey to tell the stories of people succeeding and accomplishing great things against tremendous odds. Overcome the negative — focus on the positive. I am a mother, author, speaker, teacher and storyteller. I am also a person who has succeeded in the face of adversity and negativity. TERRIGREATHOUSE My name is Terri, also known as Ms. Believe. Several years ago, my family faced a challenge that left me fearful and filled with doubt. My son Gabriel was born happy and healthy. He talked, walked and danced at 9 months of age, and we called Gabriel our super genius boy. OVERCOME THE NEGATIVE — FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE Then, something happened. Gabriel got sick. He stopped talking and responding when we called his name. There were times he would just stare into space. The doctors told us that Gabriel would never speak — that he would always be nonverbal. We were also told that there was no cure and that my son would never recover. He had been diagnosed with autism. Emotionally, I hit rock bottom. I began to realize that if POUTMAG.INFO Learn more about Believe and follow the Believe Journey at www. Thebelievejourney.com. You can also contact me at [email protected] or 702-243-8808. 18 19 PHENOMENAL OPTIMISTIC UNIQUE TALENTED