WOW – here you are reading yet another issue of the terrific magazine.
I am Jennifer Neustaedter and I have a confession to make to you. I have not really wanted to write this story about myself. While it has been told and retold many times by others, writing it out was not a truth that I felt I needed to endure. But here it is. As the third person – so I was told – to have this diagnosis in Canada since 1935, I felt alone, cursed, strange, special and deserted all at the same time.
You see, I am a servant or more commonly called a salesman. As such, my presence in the public is a requirement. I am the daughter of one of the greatest Salesmen Niagara has ever met. I was honoured to have worked by my father’s side from 1988 till his passing in 1995.
The summer of 2000 was warm, sunny and hot. It was also a time when the real estate market was recovering from a previous slump and I was busy. I started noticing that I was getting a tan yet I was not out much. Then it seemed that my jewelry looked rather odd on me so I stopped wearing my gold as that somehow looked the strangest on me.
One afternoon in September I was invited to a party at my sisters. Not thinking much of it I went, looking forward to seeing people that I had not seen for a very long time. Then it happened one of the women when they saw me gasped out loud and said, “Jennifer, what have you done to your skin???” I was so embarrassed. This happened with the other 20 some ladies present. I just laughed it off and said that I had a tan from putting up a lot of sold signs. I was rather proud of that outward answer as it sounded real good. Inside I was in tears.
As time goes, so do your regular doctor’s appointments. So by October of that year the “thousand mile” checkup as I call it resulted in a referral to specialists. This appointment and that till finally January 11th, 2001 the verdict came. “Jennifer – you have *Argyria. There is nothing we can do for you and oh by the way stay out of the sun” WOW – I owned a 21 ft. cabin cruiser. Stay out of the sun!
That evening did find me with my soul food, a large bowl of butter with popcorn and a pot of sugar with tea. Now what??? This seemed to have come on so unexpectedly. I was the palest of my family and the blonde one. Now I’m grey or blue or purple – depending on the temperature. I am alone, no boyfriend or husband or father. I have a house and skills but no one could see me past the colour of my face. I had given up trying to find cover up makeup because the sallow grey blue showed through.
There were many doctors along the road that said they could help. Many thousands of dollars spent, but to no avail. I was reminded of Peter who tells us in his writings in 2 Corinthians 12:7 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, least I should be exalted above measure.”
My friend, I must tell you. I clung to and still cling to GOD’s promise of a new body when I get to Heaven. HE said in 2 Corinthians 4:17,”For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison”.
I am still the same me. I have learned to find the fun in this situation. Like the client that bragged about his gold fillings. Cont'd at Right...
Well, I was able to top that with telling him that at 20 lb. over weight and Silver trading at about $20 per once
I was worth more than him. We had a great laugh! My boss Margie Spence kept me grounded when I came up with a bill board idea. I was going to make a sign that said, “If you are felling Blue about finding the right house – Call Jennifer - She’s Bluer” Sounded funny enough to me but that was off. I have served many of you in the past 28+ years of my career helping you obtain your dream of an investment, the prefect kitchen or the best garage.
While my colour has become lighter over the years, the trained medical eye still pegs me right off with what is wrong. Most people now just see a darker colour of white – so I’m told.
Through faith in the GOD that created this universe and holds me in HIS loving arms I am strong. The same GOD that sent HIS only son to die for me and you, I was able to push through and keep going.
Since 2001, there have been many years where I went on to being a top producer as I had done years before my colour change.
GOD has been faithful to me. While representing Royal LePage Niagara one afternoon I met my Mr. WOW! There he just wanted to see a house and I was the one to show it to him. GOD delivered to me my future commitment at the ripe age of 46. I married at 49 for the first and only time in my life. Here I am today, happy, with the man I love and who loves me, and a successful real estate career of 28+ years. Still going strong, looking with great anticipation to what the future holds. My husband and I are nowhere near ready to sit back and let the world roll by. For a time it seemed that my world had collapsed, I was heartbroken, and alone. Then God showed me never to underestimate HIM.
Dear Friend, if you take anything from my story, let it be this – that GOD is faithful. No matter what troubles have come your way, HE will see you though. My dreams where not delayed nor were they altered in anyway because of my circumstance. GOD has delivered to me HIS promise to take care of me in my lean years, through my down times, lifting me up when I was utterly depressed and brought me everything I needed at the right time. I encourage you to talk to HIM, He will listen. “GOD is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his SON Jesus Christ our Lord” 1 Corinthians 1:9
*Argyria is a condition caused by exposure to chemical forms of the element silver. It causes the skin to become blue or bluish-grey coloured and develops because silver accumulates in the body over time