Welcome to the Trauma Therapist podcast. My name is Guy McPherson. I interview incredible people who've dedicated their lives to helping those who've been impacted by trauma. A big thank you to our sponsors and our guests who are supporting this show. So five, four, three, two, and one. Our folks, welcome back to the podcast. Super excited to have as my guest today,

Shelley Grimm. Shelly, welcome. Thank you. Thank you for having me, Guy.

Shelly is a financial consultant, author, and founder of the perpetual caregiver,

empowering families facing chronic illness. A ladypreneur, recognized by the worldwide women's

association with 27 years of financial expertise, she helps ensure dignity and peace of mind

through unique tools like the family love letter. Shelly's journey began as a lifelong

caregiver for her mother, the first woman diagnosed with Crohn's disease in the

U.S. in 1956.

This path included legal emancipation at 13 and a harrowing turning point at 17 when a hit

was put out on her life, forcing her to flee Amarillo and resolve to help others prepare

for life's uninvited challenges.

Wow, Chilly.

I mean, come on, but we'll get to that.

Before we do, share with the listeners where you're from originally and where you are currently.

Well, I'm both from where I am originally and where I sit.

So Amarillo, Texas is where I was born and where I was raised and where I departed from hastily

and where I returned back in September of 2021 to help care for my significant others' parents who are now in their late stages of life.

And we're experiencing some illnesses at the time and just that season of life.

So we're back here in our hometown.

So how does all this start for you?

Well, it starts where my mother was the first documented female to be known with Crohn's disease, what is now known as Crohn's disease. At the time,

it was known as Iliitis or terminal ilitis.

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