Brenda Fadeyibi is a LE&RN/Lymph Notes Lymphedema Therapist Scholarship winner. This is her story.

Three. That's the number of strokes Brenda Fadeyibi's pastor's wife had suffered before being placed in occupational therapy. Brenda, then a high school student, took to the internet to search the mysterious title. She had always planned to become a doctor, yet with each occupational therapy detail and description that filled her screen, she knew she had found a perfect fit.

Now a certified and licensed occupational therapist at ShechterCare Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Rehabilitation in New York, Brenda is a recent LE&RN/Lymph Notes Lymphedema Therapist Scholarship award winner. She hopes to utilize her scholarship award to not only expand her knowledge of lymphedema cases, but to increase the understanding of lymphedema in her community as well. She finds the LE&RN/Lymph Notes Lymphedema Therapist Scholarship to be influential in addressing the severe lack of knowledge for this community.

“If we can get more professionals educated, in turn we can educate the public, insurance companies, doctors and others, as well as properly treat those affected,” Brenda said.

With the LE&RN/Lymph Notes scholarship award, Brenda will enroll in Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) certification with the hope to grow her clinical skills as a therapist to better assist and educate lymphedema patients by becoming versed in the four components: manual lymph drainage, compression therapy, exercises, and skin care. She seeks to enlighten those with lymphedema on how to properly care for their condition.

At ShechterCare, Brenda educates patients with both primary and secondary lymphedema on how to properly self-manage at home. Persevering in her passion to educate her community about the issue of lymphedema, she has presented informational lectures on lymphedema to multiple cancer support groups. With such a determination to provide knowledge for those impacted by lymphedema, what is in store for this young therapist and her desire to enlighten after achieving her CDT certification?

“I hope that in five to ten years I am still working with the breast cancer and lymphedema population, but also doing a lot more education in the community, whether that is writing articles, research, or presenting to small groups,” said Brenda.

We wish Brenda every success in her education and in her career.