Timeline Project - Debbie L.

Born/ Biosocial Event

Nov 21, 1963

I was born November 21, 1963 the after John F. Kennedy was assassinated. My mother was so upset with his death she was unable to breast feed me. I was born a healthy little girl 6lbs 7 oz.

President Kennedy Assasinated

Nov 22, 1963

I have entered this date because it had such an impact on my mother. She loved Kennedy and was not only upset about his assassination, but also that she could not be part of his death. She had just given birth to me the day before and in 1963 they kept you in the hospital longer than overnight. She was so upset that her breast milk never came in and was unable to nurse me.

Cognitive Event/Walking

Dec 21, 1964

I started walking/running as my mother put it at 13 months. She said I just let go of the coffee table, steadied myself, took a few steps and off I ran.

Cognitive Event/Reading small books. My favorite was "Harold and the Purple Crayon".

Nov 21, 1966

I started reading very early. My mother liked to read a lot. I was able to pick out words and help her with the story. this was also a time for me to dream even at 3. If I could not read it I loved the pictures and made up my own adventures. I could escape to anywhere when there was sadness at home.

Psychosocial Event/Parents separate.

Jun 13, 1967

I was only 4 at the time, but this was a big emotional event in my time my parents had separated. Although I do not remember much, I do recall clinging to my mother's leg begging her to pick me up while she was cooking dinner. My dad had his nose stuck in the newspaper and was ignoring me.

Cognitive Event/Started Elementary School

Sep 13, 1968

I don't remember much of elementry school. I do remember going to St. Peter and Paul and my mother going ballistic with the principal. I was injured (broke my arm) in gym class and the nun keep saying there was nothing wrong with me. Needless to say my mother moved me out of that school. I had many friends in school and loved to go to school. I did very well all through elementary school. The Science Fair was always my favorite.

Psychosocial Event/Parents Divorce

Feb 14, 1969

Now being 6, I rmember saying goodbye to my dad and moving in with my Aunt Sharon and Unce Elmer. My mom went away for a while and they took care of me. I did not find out til later that my mother was in the hospital and had a nervous breakdown.

Biosocial Event/Cognitive EventThe 1970's oil crisis.

Apr 22, 1970

In 1970 it was a time of turmoil. I still was very active in school and had many friends. My grade were at the top of my class.I was very healthy, but not happy. Being 7 is when I really understood the conflicts between my parents. I may have been a child, but I was not blind. I loved my dad, but he really did not want to have children. During this time I learn how to save money and not spend. I was very aware that gas was expensive.

Psychosocial Event/Cognitive Event/Richard Nixon becomes the 1st US President to resign.

Aug 8, 1974

I was 11 at this time and was shocked that a President would cheat and lie to his country. I remember listening to my Grandparents call him a crook. I believe this is when I actually became interessted on politics. I drove my grandfather crazy asking him questions. Still growing at this time and started my period and breasts started to develope. I was average weight and height. I was not a picky eater and always ate what was put in front of me. Living w/mother & grandparents.Close to grandfather

Started Jounior High School

Sep 13, 1977

Here I am at 14 and still loving school. I was having a hard time with Algebra and I had the greatest teacher Mrs. Lion tun on the lightbulb and I still love Algebra today. My breast were fully developed at this time and I started to notice boys and they started to notice me. I was a healthy girl.

Trip to Disney World

Jun 15, 1978

Here I am at 15 and just aching to get away from my mother and have some independance. My mother allowed me to go with my best friend and her parents to Disney World. She wasn't going to let me go at first becasue her parents were gay and that was still taboo back then. I started having a few problems with my mother at this age. I got my drivers permit from school.

Graduated High School

Jun 15, 1981

I had a hard time the last 3 months of high school. My relationship with my mother broke down and I moved in with my father. What a mistake that was, not good judgement on my part. I imagined my mother as the oppressive dictator. I graduated with a 3.64 GP and should have went straight to college, but I didn't.

Psychosocial Event: Marriage

Jun 18, 1982

Like I said I did not go to college. I took the summer off and did whatever I wanted. My dad did not care, he never gave me a curfew, asked me where I was going or when I would be home, I went wild. This is where I meet and fell in love with my husband of 28 years. I got married just so I could get away from my mother and father. Who would have thought it would have lasted this long.

Psychosocial Event: My first child is born.

Dec 5, 1982

Alaina Marie was born 6 months after we were married. She was a healthy 7lbs 6oz. This was the happiest day of my life and I promised her and myself I would not make the same mistakes my parents made.

My husband joined the Army.

Oct 24, 1983

Psychosocial: Husband joins the Army and leaves behind myself and our first child of 11 months.

Biosocial/ Psychosocial Event: 2nd child, 1st son Christopher was brn.

Jan 25, 1984

My second child Christopher was born. My husband was away in the service and missed his birth.

Biosocial/Psychosocial Event: My third child Michael was born.

Oct 1, 1985

My California baby finally arrived. Michael was my third child and second son.

Psychosocial: Husband coming home from service in armed forces.

Oct 23, 1986

Husband coming home to California after being in Korea for 6 months. Leaving the service and moving to North Carolina.

Cognitive Event: Went to college spring 1991-winter 1992.

Apr 9, 1991

Attending nursing school at Schoolcraft College.

Biosocial/Psychosocial Event: Twins Patrick and Timothy

Sep 22, 1992

Having twins was a big deal for me. Although I was very excited and proud I was a concerned about my figure. They were beautiful babies. Patrick was 5lbs. 2oz. and Timothy was 4lbs. 12 oz. I carried them full term.

Cognitive Event: Back to college spring 1994-1995.

Mar 14, 1994

Trying to achieve my dream and get my degree. Family and financial responsibilities have hindered my goal. I'm going for it again!

First job real job after twins were born.

Sep 16, 1994

Cognitive: Decided to take a plunge into design and worked for a blind company. Psychosocial: Gained some great social skills and moved into customer service.

Psychosocial Event: Mother began needing care.

Jun 20, 1998

My mother began needing care. She need help with cooking, cleaning and personal care. We moved in with her to help.

Psychosocial Event: Husband diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis

Jun 10, 2005

My husband was diagnosed with MS. This is an autoimmune disease that attacks the Central Nervous System. My husband's MS has affected his balance, vision, cognition, speech and muscles. It is incurable and constant deterioration of abilities we take for granted like walking, talking and memory.

Psychosocial Event: Bought our first home.

Jul 24, 2008

Moved into our first home. It took us 10 years to save for this home.

Cognitive/Psychosocial Event: Lost job of 15 years.

Apr 14, 2010

This was an extremely hard time for me. I had worked for this company for 15 years and hoped to retire from there. I was the bread winner and we are going through some hard times.

Cognitive Event: Went back to school to become a microbiologist.

Aug 15, 2010

This was an exceptionally stressful time for me. I found myself in a place where I was 47 and changing my career to better myself and my family's financial situation. It had been over 20 years since I attended school and I was petrified and excited all at the same time.

Biosocial/Psychosocial Event: Major surery : hysterectomy

Mar 1, 2011

I had a major health issue that was resolved by a (hysterectomy) uterus removal. Psychosocial: This was a big event thinking I had cancer of the uterus. Thank God it was not and all of my health issues are resolved.

Cognitive/Psychosocial Event: Attained my Masters Degree in Microbiology

Jun 20, 2014

I have earned my degree and have the necessary knowledge to do the job I love. This is a very important event in my life I have wanted, but had to place on the back burner for years due to family responsibilities and obligations.

Cognitive/Psychosocial Event: Took microbiology position in major hospital.

Jul 12, 2014

Use my better judgement and chose a job in a major hospital. Good benefits and hours. Serving the community to try and keep them healthy and free of disease.

Psychosocial Event: Mother passes away.

Jan 9, 2017

Although my mother has not passed away yet, her ailing health gives me the impression she will pass within the next 5-6 years.

Cognitive and Psychosocial Event: Husband's death.

Oct 10, 2041

I am looking ahead and hoping that with my husband's illness will allow him to live another 30 years. This is an assumption on my part. We have no idea what the future brings for us because of his MS.

Biosocial/Psychosocial Event: My death.

Apr 10, 2051

Both of my grandparents have passed away. My grandfather at 83 and my grandmother at 86. My mother and father are still alive. I am assuming my health and mental status are good and predict my death at 87. With any luck it could be 97! I did take a life expectency test thru one of our modules and it expects me to live to at least 90.