#PeopleofNEI: Tamyra, 'living free' in northeast Indiana

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Northeast Indiana is evolving. These are the people shaping its future. #PeopleofNEI

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Tamyra was born and raised in Fort Wayne. She is a proud graduate of Elmhurst High School and now works in East Allen County Schools. She talks openly about surviving breast cancer, embracing forgiveness, and the pride she has for northeast Indiana. “I did Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography in 2016. Even though I felt fine, I felt like I needed to do it. They did the test and said that they saw something. I was diagnosed with breast cancer and that’s all I remember. My husband grabbed me and I started sobbing. We have no history of it in my family and I didn’t expect it. Because of how aggressive it was, I had to have chemotherapy and radiation. It was horrible. I lost my appetite and my hair. It was incredibly traumatic for me. I had also been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. My doctor had tried every solution and medication. I asked God, ‘Why?’ I wanted to see my kids graduate and see my grandkids. My doctor asked me if I had trouble with forgiveness. I prayed on it and God told me that I had to forgive. That is how we live free. I thought I had forgiven people that had hurt me but when I saw them, could I speak to them? Could I pray for them? Forgiveness changed my life. I want everyone to live free. As women, we wear so many hats and carry so many things. We need to support each other. It was time for me to reclaim my life. I think unforgiveness stems from not understanding each other’s history. Racism is taught and learned. It’s a learned behavior. That hurts other people, and in northeast Indiana it is important to listen to each other. We need conversations that listen to the heart of other people. The bottom line is love. Northeast Indiana is a great place to raise a family, and my husband and I have had great employment here. My husband is retired from the FWPD. We have a great neighborhood with great friends. Now that I’m an empty nester, I love trying new restaurants. I want our city to be a city of church community and not just church buildings. We need to start pulling each other up. When you live free, you are helping people and not telling people what to do or judging them. That’s how we live free in northeast Indiana.” #PeopleofNEI

A post shared by Input Fort Wayne (@inputfortwayne) on Mar 5, 2019 at 6:56am PST

#PeopleofNEI: Tamyra, ‘living free’ in northeast Indiana

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#PeopleofNEI: Tamyra, ‘living free’ in northeast Indiana

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