Entry #3 How a slanted story changed my life

MD Cosmetics Medical Spa

When I saw that this next post was about slanted stories I knew I had to share my story!  In September of 2017, my life as I knew it took a dramatic turn that changed my life forever.  This is the first time I have put this out to a group of strangers and I am feeling a bit nervous. Above is a picture of my former business, MD Cosmetics.  I had a thriving medspa that was my entire life, with no formal business training I took this business from $350,000 in annual sales to $1.2 million in just one year of ownership.  I was driven to succeed and knew I had found my calling.  

Check out the links below to see what happened according to WCAX News:

 MD COSMETICS CLOSES SUDDENLY

After this story aired I knew I needed to get my side of the story out and let people know what really happened.  I was shocked and hurt by the lies that had just been put out there. I contacted the reporter and set a date to do an interview and set the record straight.  

A week later WCAX did another story with my response:

OWNER ERIN JEWELL SPEAKS OUT

I felt must better after the interview, but unfortunately, the damage from the first interview had been done, and a lot of important things were edited out of the interview, so I still felt my side of the story was never really told.  I truly felt this whole story was angled to make me look like a bad and the doctor look good.  

The next 6 months were some of the hardest and most painful in my life.  I was verbally accosted on several occasions by former clients when I went out in public, I was scrutinized on social media and had to close all my accounts, I was even stocked on craigslist and the person posted a photo, asked for my home address and I had to get the state police involved.  Needless to say, I was scared for my safety and I wanted to die - I was in a dark dark place and I was unable to see anything positive coming out of this situation.  I felt as though the world was against me and started to believe all the negative things people were saying about me, I didn't want to live in pain anymore.  A week after the interview, I was admitted to a mental hospital for suicide watch.  Being in the hospital was a blessing, I finally felt safe and I knew no one could hurt me.  I spent 8 days there and felt much mentally stronger when I was discharged.  I was ready to face this issue head-on and reminded myself that I know my truth and no one can take that from me.

WHERE AM I TODAY?

It's now been 8 months and I am happy to report that I have come to accept the situation for what it is, sometimes bad things happen to good people! I refuse to remain a victim so 8 weeks ago I left Vermont for Arizona for a fresh start.  4 weeks ago, my bankruptcy was finalized and I was found not guilty by the State of Vermont of any wrongdoing like the doctor had claimed in her interview.  Today, I choose to move forward and believe there is something bigger and better coming my way.  I will continue to work and use this as a  learning opportunity - For months I thought of myself as a failure and a friend reminded me that having the courage to chase my dream and make it a reality is a success regardless of the ending, many people don't have the courage to do what I did.  Today I am a success and I am stronger today because of this and for that I am grateful.  

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.