I was born in Iwakuni, Japan to a U.S. Marine father and Japanese mother. Shortly after my birth we moved back to the United States and settled briefly in Indiana before moving to Missouri. I grew up in a small town called St. Peters in St. Charles County, a suburb of St. Louis. After 39 years, my husband and I moved our family to Southern California where we reside in Los Angeles County.

I’m very happily married to a man who makes me laugh, pushes me to always do better, rubs my feet nightly and always listens to my crazy plans and ideas. He is my life partner, someone who I can always look to for guidance and support. I would call him my best friend, but he’s really more than that. He’s my life.

I’m a mother and grandmother to 2 amazing sons and 1 incredible granddaughter who have made my life complete.

In 2007, I lost my hearing and receive my first cochlear implant. I received my second on in 2013.

During the summer of 2014, I went on the adventure of a lifetime! I competed on the Reality Show, Survivor Season 30 “Worlds Apart.” The show has opened doors for me to be able to share my experience as the first cochlear implant recipient to ever compete in the game. I hope that through my experiences I am able to help people overcome their fear of hearing loss and to live the kind of lives they have always dreamed of living.