NBPFA.com

The Miracle of Christie Glenn
by Barbara J GIll, RN
www.shandarrah.com

I spent two days with Tina and Sheila - close friends. We talked, giggled, ate chocolate and chewed chicklets. I sewed curtains and covered a king-sized headboard while they hovered nearby and helped when called upon. Meandering in and out of this scene was Tina's daughter - Christie Glenn.

She was preparing for her first show with the New Brunswick Body Building and Figure Competition. I was introduced to the skin-darkening lotions (allowing judges to better see the body under the bright lights), placement of crystals on the show suits, special food preparations, the nail and hair plans. The pre-show jitters. When I saw her shoes I worried endlessly about her toppling over in them - six inch stilettos.

Christie Glenn won. In her division and overall.

The miracle is this: Christie was fighting for her life a few short years ago. Prayers. Oh the prayers. Months of hospitalization. Her body had turned on her - big time. Surgeries. Tears. Fears. Swelling. Pain. Christie survived. But when she came home she could not even walk up a flight of stairs unassisted. She is now a step away from finalizing her education degree - and also decided she would find out what her mind and body could do in co-operation with each other.
I juined family and friends in the show audience. As I watched this beautiful young woman walk across the stage, it struck me that Christie carries her scars with tremendous poise and grace. She is an inspiration - an athlete and truly a woman of stature. I also watched the other performers and for the first time I had a glimmer of the “why” of this sport. It is, somehow, about overcoming. I have given extra thought these past few days to my own “Younger Son” - he has been working out in a gym for two years - improving himself with diet and exercise - mind over matter - and a positive environment. I now better understand him too.

Christie - Congratulations Honey ! Love you.

Barbara