Massage has had a strong effect on my entire life. I was impressed with massage by the influence it had on my wonderful Grandfather. He had lymphic cancer; from the time of diagnosis to his death was six weeks. This 6'2" strong well built man became sick and wasted away, the pain was intolerable. He would slip in and out of consciousness. This was the first time I felt cold sweat and shakes. When he would sleep he would moan in pain, my heart breaks even to this day when I remember the pain he went through. Grandpa didn't believe in drugs, but he did believe in massage. My mom and aunt would take him to a masseur to get massages as often as possible…this was it for me. Grandpa would come home from his massage and have color in his face, smiling and go sleep peacefully. His breathing came back to normal and the moans turned into snoring. What was happening at these massages?? At the age of sixteen, I was afraid to touch him but I knew then that I had to learn how to do Massage, so I could help in times of need. I never wanted to feel that sense of helplessness ever again.

Soon after I graduated High School in 1964, I headed to New York City to work. After working a short time in NYC, I found the Swedish Institute, and registered for their massage program. The tuition was a huge amount of money $400. How was I going to afford it? I was making $60 a week at Montgomery Wards. I explained this to Miss Phillips, the owner of the institute who said we'd work something out and I could pay $10 a week. Believe me, that $10 was the hardest money to earn but the best investment for my future. That changed my life and has never changed. I have never forgotten how it started, fear and a sense of hopelessness. This was my invitation to Massage.

I started working in health clubs where I did on average 12 to 15 half hour massages daily. I believe spas not only are great training places for mastering your art, but also for making money! Once I put the petal to the metal and filled my first appointment book, it's was time to step outside the box. So, I started to make house calls in my spare time. As time moved forward my spare time became less and less. As my practice grew, I needed to establish an office for my clients, so I set up "Wholistic Pathways Center for Massage Therapy". There is where I networked with doctors, dentists and counselors in the Lindenhurst Medical Center, in Lindenhurst, NY.

Some of you may know me as the Past President of the AMTA NY Chapter & AMTA Florida Chapter, other as Past Vice-President of the AMTA National Board, then others as Professor Donohue from the New York College in Syosset, NY. The later title I have to believe is where I truly found my nitch. It started about a year after setting up my office of Wholistic Pathways, when I was contacted by a colleague I met through a professional organization. He asked me if I would be interested in teaching at the New Center in Manhasset, NY (which later moved to Syosset, NY and became the New York College). I was surprised and was looking for a new avenue to share my gift of Massage. At the school I moved forward teaching basic, to intermediate to advance technique classes. I encouraged the school to have a department chair and after many years of rewriting programs and networking with my instructors I became Chair of the Swedish Department. I worked with my Dean and we completed the first A.O.S. degree for Massage Therapy for New York State. I enjoyed working with other instructors in my 16 years of service while educating students in this wonderful profession - Massage. My plate was full, but I knew another change was coming.

Florida seemed to be calling for me and my husband Joe Ferguson. We meet in massage school in 1965 and our paths crossed about 15 years ago when we decided to tie the knot and become husband, wife and family - 6 children (Joey, Edward, Joe, Katherine, Liz, and Anne) and 5 grandchildren (Christopher, Brian, Melissa, Eliza and Brendan) and enter the best stage of our lives together.

Since moving to Florida, I became involved with the AMTA Florida Chapter, serving as President for over 3 years. I have recently stepped down from the AMTA FL Chapter Board for more time to devote to education for the profession. I have and will continue to have a great networking relationship with the Florida Board of Massage, AMTA, FSMTA, FSMTB, NCBTMB, CE Broker Provider for Education and WMF. I will be developing as I research all my notes of the many years' experiences for advance techniques in Bindegewebsmassage as well as a Series for Massage Therapy for Pathological Conditions.

I hope to see you someday at one of my classes and hope you find the happiness in your life as I've found mine.

Pat Donohue LMT #MA41186