How many septuagenarians can claim that they played professional football? Ask Sandi Fleischer and she’ll tell you about how she and a friend responded to a talent agency advertisement and joined a team in Pittsburgh, PA on a whim. She smirks when telling the story, the formidable opponents and how she only lasted for two weeks before she realized it clearly wasn’t for her. 

Sassy, smart, witty, resilient and always trying something new are all characteristics of a woman who has experienced life fully. Sit down with her and you’ll learn about her many fascinating jobs, from an intern on Capitol Hill, a lobbyist, a buyer for a chain (7) of ready to wear clothing stores and a senior role in the Maryland Department of Agriculture. 

Today, she volunteers with the Worcester County Humane Society in Maryland. She loves animals and enjoys showing pictures of her pets over the years and telling stories about their unique personalities. She rescued her current dog, Katie, and is a staunch advocate for adoptions from the Humane Society. She works in their thrift shop in roles that don’t require extended standing or moving heavy objects. Sandi, who wants to be known for her helping hand, in fact suffers from moderate Rheumatoid Arthritis. Over the last seven years, it has manifested itself in her neck, hands and feet and at times is debilitatingly painful. 

I met her at Dr. Zaky’s pain rehabilitation program at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, MD. She recited her medical history and I was amazed at how her positive personality glowed through a veil of discomfort and pain. She found the emphasis on reducing stress through meditation to be useful and now practices it often. She also talks about the role of mindfulness and acceptance in helping her get through the bad days where an autoimmune disease may result in fever and where everything hurts including her skin. She explains that all she wants to do is just rest … “I can be grumpy and cry, but it does pass. I’ll have a pity party, but I don’t wallow.” 

Sandi also talks about our cultural barriers that stigmatize people with pain. She remembers her own mother who she now suspects had the same disease. She was in a lot of pain, but no one gave her enough credit … her disease wasn’t understood. Sandi talks about the many medical experiences she has had in her lifetime where doctors have been dismissive of symptoms only to find out later there was something more serious that needed treatment. She emphasizes that people with pain should advocate for themselves and seek an understanding of their medical condition and find professionals who are willing to give them the time needed to fully address their concerns. She mentioned that her current pain management doctor, Wadid Zaky, who will spend the time needed to not just diagnose and treat the pain, but also give patients time to understand and process the information while reducing their anxiety and stress. 

I asked Sandi what she wants people to know about her. She explained, “I’m a genuine person. I may be in pain, but it doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy life.” She continued, “I have feelings, some days I may not smile. I love people. I have my pity parties and it’s more difficult when I am alone. I need to be with people, my friends and family. There have been times when I go out with my girlfriends, and the goal is to laugh and talk about life experiences. It makes me feel good when we leave.”