I AM A SURVIVOR!
Meet a courageous woman who shared her journey of perseverance with breast cancer. "Practice Makes It Better" is a story written by a breast cancer Survivor, a Thriver, and Metavivor to encourage, motivate, and ignite your faith. The writing will cultivate a deeper sense of self-worth, build character, and give hope. The author shared her in-depth personal story of breast cancer, while providing tools and techniques for living day to day. Overall, the author was intentional about ensuring her readers received a message of faith, hope, and love. Read about my journey in "Practice Makes It Better"
Karen was born at Shaw, Air Force Base, and has lived in Sumter, South Carolina all
of her life. She is the daughter of Wilhelmenia Owens and the late Tony Owens, Jr,
and the baby sister of Antonio (Squeaky) Owens. Bernard Blanding is her
phenomenal husband and they have three sons. MISTER Cornelius Blanding,
Cordell Blanding, and Camron Blanding. Karen graduated from Sumter High School
in 1981 and furthered her education at South Carolina State University by earning a
B.A and M.A. in Speech Pathology and Audiology, 1985 and 1991 respectively. She
has been a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist since 1991. She became a proud
member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. spring of 1982, Beta Sigma Chapter at
South Carolina State University, and is currently a life member. Karen worships at
St. Mark Four Bridges Missionary Baptist Church, Sumter, South Carolina, under the
leadership of Pastor Sammie D. Simmons, where they are taught to walk in their
ordained destiny. She has created www.karenblanding.com to provide information
and strategies to early interventionists and caregivers in hopes of helping infants and
toddlers develop early developmental skills. She also has a passion for baking
homemade fruitcakes that taste like your great grandmother made them. Learn more
about them by visiting www.fruitcakebykaren.com and she has recently added the
skill of crocheting hats and scarves as a hobby to help with the cost of medical
expenses. Visit www.crochetbykaren.com to make a donation to support.
I have a dear friend, Ms. Lou Ella Wilson who came into my life when my baby boy was attending day care where she was working. I am not sure when we became friends but we did and nobody but the good Lord above could have known how instrumental she would be during my breast cancer journey.
