Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheilah Storch.
Hi Sheilah, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a licensed clinical social work in a neurology practice. I have assisted patients and families for over 33 years. When patients are initially diagnosed, often with illness that has no cure, I will follow through the course of their disease process to obtain the services they need. Some of the chronic neurological conditions we treat are Multiple Sclerosis, seizures, Alzheimer’s, memory loss, Parkinson’s, ALS, and neuromuscular disorders. I am responsible for assisting with our ALS clinic biweekly and typically will assist once the diagnosis is made until our patient passes, typically within 1-5 yrs. I also assist with Alzheimer’s research which is promising and exciting. As an aside to working with those who have chronic illness, I obtained my real estate license to help folks find their dream home. This has allowed me to enjoy helping others on a very different arena.
When I am not in clinic or selling/buying homes, I work on our small farm. I have always lived in the city, but my husband was able to help me take a leap of faith and I am so glad I did. It is so much work, but the best decision I’ve ever made. There is a very funny story to this move which needs to be told… But for now, I am enjoying our 14 acres, 3 dogs, an inherited barn cat, that is now indoors, potbelly pig (Betsy Boo), 13 hens, 2 roosters, goldfish, parakeets, wild mustang that showed up in our front yard and our four cows that roam the pastures as our pets, not sold to market. I love my crazy little life and am so appreciative to be in the position to help others and work with wonderful coworkers and doctors.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been a smooth road. I have had to come to grips with losing my mother and being on the other side of the fence as a social worker trying to manage my father’s health care. It has been a humbling process but has made me a better social worker in helping my patients. Also managing the ALS clinic can be incredibly sad at times but has made we very secure with death and the dying process. Keeping hope which providing choices in the dying process are key. I also went through a divorce after adopting my incredible son, Sergey from Russia. I traveled to Moscow to bring him home to Dallas when he was 9 months. This is another incredible story. I have since remarried to a wonderful man who makes me grow and laugh every day.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love driving into work at 6 am and driving past downtown lights and sky rises. When I go out of town and come home to Dallas, I am so thankful to live in this incredible city that provides so much diversity. The restaurants, food, art district, symphony, bike and hike trails, parks, and diversity are all incredible. I can honestly say I would to have to think hard about what I like least, but potentially finding a way to help wild habitat from being pushed farther out by overbuilding.
Contact Info:
- Email: sheilahstorch@kw.com
