I enjoy playing with my grandchildren, needlework, gardening and Pittsburgh sports; Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and Pitt basketball and football, as well as Penn State football.

I chose Inspire therapy because I had nowhere else to turn. I have had sleep apnea for over 20 years. Back then I had extensive surgery to correct the problem. However, my sleep apnea returned after 10 years. I tried a CPAP but could not tolerate anything on my face. Different masks were tried but none of them seemed to work. I then tried an oral appliance to no avail. I was to the point where I was struggling to stay awake at work. On my way home from work I prayed that I did not have to stop at any red lights. My doctor would no longer allow me to travel 2 hours alone to see my family for fear I would fall asleep during the drive. Every morning I would wake up with a headache and feel as if I never went to bed.

I want to pay it forward to let potential patients know they are not the only one with this problem, that there is another option available to treat their sleep apnea and they no longer have to feel like there is no hope for them.