Business
Over the past eight years of financial turmoil, more Americans from all different backgrounds have suffered from shocks to their wages and benefits. Some people are still out of work. In addition, home values and personal saving have also taken a hit. Another disruption to many Americans, something many people don’t consider, has come in the form of disabilities. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost 57 million people had a disability in 2010. And on top of all that we know that half of all marriages in America end in divorce. What is my point in stating all these facts? Clearly in life the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry. So why do we have the hubris to think that we don’t need a plan? No plan B, no contingency. In fact, a recent Bankrate.com survey found that roughly 3 out of every 4 Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck, with little to no emergency savings. Less than 1 in 4 Americans have enough money in their savings account to cover at least six months of expenses (which is the recommended amount to cover unexpected life events) and half of those surveyed have less than a three-month cushion. Most shocking is that 27% have no savings at all. Perhaps we all subscribe to the John Lennon quote that “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” Maybe you think that you can plan and set goals, but you still run into this unpredictable thing called, “life.” This is true, but still should you just leave it all to chance, simply letting life happen to you? On this show we introduce a guest who knows all too well what it feels like to experience disruption or what economists like to call, shocks to her life. She has experienced career derailment, marriage dissolution and even disability. She has every reason to check out but that is not what she has done. Instead, she writes about her disability, finding an audience with her personal blog and syndicated column. Susan Reagan is a survivor. She has made lemonade out of lemons and she has graciously agreed to share her journey with us. Thank you from all of us Susan for coming on Financially Empowering Women! About Susan Susan Reagan is currently employed as a staff writer for two marketing companies. She writes about a variety of topics from Lean Six Sigma to ancillary healthcare services and everything in between. The majority of her career has been spent in healthcare operations management and healthcare marketing. She began as a Recreational Therapist, which led to a preceptorship to earn her administrator’s license and then to regional marketing leadership. Susan has a B.S. in Business Management and Marketing and a B.A. in Therapeutic Recreation, and a collateral certificate in Gerontology. Susan earned an MBA in Healthcare Administration from Moravian College. She serves on the board of directors for a non-profit agency that serves people with disabilities and chairs their grant committee. Susan had several life-changing events that occurred all at one time. She lost her voice due to a muscular disorder and came to the realization that her marriage must end. Her 17-year career in healthcare ended as a result of losing her voice. During this time her father was gravely ill, as well. Susan can be reached at susan.ann.reagan@gmail.com Her personal blog http://livingwithvoiceloss.blogspot.com/ Which is syndicated on http://vocaldisorders.org/blog/ Susan is available for public speaking engagements in front of large groups and organizations. She shares her life-changing story of voice loss and her inspirational story of success. Through this journey Susan has found new life, new purpose and new meaning in helping others.