Lisa J. Pieretti—My Hero

by Nov 19, 2017Hyperhidrosis2 comments

I waited six years to do this.

As part of my attendance at the Patient-Focused Drug Development Meeting for Hyperhidrosis, I wanted to find a way to honor the person who has altered the trajectory of my life. That person is Lisa J. Pieretti, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the International Hyperhidrosis Society (IHhS).

For months, I had been thinking of what to do. I scoured the Internet for a glass-blown award that resembles a droplet of sweat, which I then had engraved. And because the best way I know how to express myself is through the written word, I decided to write a speech for her. Multiple handwritten drafts appeared in my journal, along with one-liners to include that woke me up in the middle of the night begging to be written down or typed into my phone. Several times during my commute to work, I would get teary-eyed envisioning the moment I would surprise Lisa with this award. Yep, I’m a total sap.

sweat droplet award

The award I had made to honor Lisa.

If someone has made a difference in your life, TELL THEM. This is what life is about—creating moments and memories. I hate public speaking; it makes me sweat even worse than I already do. But I pushed through it because this moment wasn’t about me. Here’s the video below (or watch it on YouTube) of me delivering my speech to Lisa. I was later told that most people in the room were crying, including Dr. Glaser whom I briefly mention.

My Speech

Here’s the written version of my speech.

They say our lives can change in a moment. Mine changed in April of 2011. The scene? The Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, where this woman with an adorable Pennsylvania accent stood behind a table and welcomed me to a meeting that was full of sweaty people just like me. She even shook my hand.

As I lay down on the table to receive 155 injections in my hands, Lisa locked eyes with me and told me not to worry. Dermatologists gathered around me, and for the first time in my life I wasn’t ashamed of my hyperhidrosis. Dr. Glaser reached over and patted my ankle, which was dripping wet. I could’ve cried when she did that. The act of being touched by strangers who knew exactly what I was going through was incredibly validating for me.

While I’ve always been a writer, on that day I walked in as a patient and left as a blogger with the Universe nudging me to tell my sweaty story. My blog My Life as a Puddle was born that day in Denver. Today, I stand in awe at where my sweaty stories have taken me. My intention is to create hyperhidrosis hope and awareness one drop at a time, and it’s all Lisa’s fault.

Maya Angelou once said, “I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people.”

Lisa, you are my hero. You walk through the fire for us when our own feet are too slippery to make the trek. When our hands are too sweaty to type on our keyboards, you are the one pecking away at the keys on our behalf. So I want to say thank you, Lisa, and give you the recognition that you deserve.

Thank you for pounding the pavement when our feet are too sweaty to put on shoes. Thank you for opening doors we’d never be able to get a grip on without you. Thank you for staying up way past your bedtime and fighting for better research and treatments.

Your legacy is every single person you’ve touched. Never doubt that one committed soul can change the world. Indeed, you have.

I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say, I love you, Lisa. Our world is a better place because you’re in it. You have changed my life. On the days when you may doubt your greatness, go find one of our beloved trees. Hug it, and then look up at the leaves. Because of the roots you have planted, we are able to stretch our sweaty branches and be open to drier possibilities.

You carry the torch for us. May that flame never go out.

Maria Thomas and Lisa J. Pieretti

Me and Lisa, post-speech and tears. I’m so happy I was able to do this for her.

Copyright © 2017 My Life as a Puddle

 

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