I have Crohn's Disease and a very severe anaphylactic allergy to latex. Goby is a four year old chihuahua who has been trained to identify latex in the environment and keep me safe. He's pretty amazing, if I do say so, myself! We do everything together... Yes, everything! As a result, we have all kinds of fun adventures as we go about life!
I describe myself as a disaster researcher by day, and a Masters swimmer by night. I earned my Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) and specialize in studying social vulnerabilities to disasters (broadly defined). In my free time, my all time favorite activity is swimming. I am a Masters swimmer with the Raleigh Area Masters (RAM) swim team (which operates under North Carolina Masters Swimming (NCMS) and United States Masters Swimming (USMS)). I LOVE IT! I am also a Swim Ambassador for FINIS, the most amazing swim company on the face of the Earth (and the only company to produce products for swimmers that are predominately latex-free)! Goby led me to FINIS when we were in Omaha, NE for USMS Long Course Nationals (LCM) in 2012... I was swimming a race in a new Speedo suit, and all of a sudden I felt water rushing up my body. My suit split and there I was in all my glory for the world to see! Oh My! Goby and I went to where the vendors were, and he sniffed all the suits. The only one that I was allowed to try on was the FINIS Velo. He vetoed Tyr and Nike. There was too much latex and/ or he didn't like the elastic in those suits. So, I was sold! FINIS, it was! I like to say that Goby is FINIS' Geico lizard.... Go #TEAMFINIS!
I tend to be very open about my life... Because of my health, I retired recently from the tenure track and teaching at the college level. I have transformed my career into doing research only, and I love it! I love the thrill of writing grant applications, papers, presentations, and proposals. I love field work. I love cleaning and running my data. I love it all! It's so fun to do the work that is so meaningful to me... and I hope that I can make even a small change for the better in the world. A girl can dream, right?! Outside of my research, swimming is my passion. I love it. I love water. I love the butterfly, breaststroke, and freestyle. I will only swim backstroke as part of an individual medley (IM)... I got burnt out on it, as a child! Goby comes to swim practice, sits in a small foldable mesh kennel, and watches me go up and down the lanes, just as he does during swim meets. He has his own iPhone4 (to dial 911) and two (2) Epipens. If necessary, he will call for help, get out of his kennel, and will bring me an Epipen. It's quite remarkable to witness! I love my little guy... He has literally given me my life back.
So, welcome to "A Day in the Life of Dana and Goby!" We have lots of adventures... and hope that our stories are of interest to others!
