| May 10, 2001 - Joan Rochford's life has taken many turns, including
the fight to keep her dog, Bailey, alive. The terrier-poodle mix,
who died in December 2000, inspired Rochford to write Bailey's
Tale. The children's picture book tells the true story of how,
at age 5, Bailey was diagnosed with Pituitary Dependent Cushings Disease.
Even though doctors said he had a 10% chance of living, Rochford would
not give up on her beloved pet. Bailey made a full recovery and lived
for more than 15 years. "The story touches everyone, not just
animal lovers," said Rochford, an Art Education major who is
graduating from the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University on
May 13. "The concept of being touched by illness and the fear
attached to it is familiar to everybody."
Bailey's Tale, self-published by Rochford, is currently
available on Amazon.com. She's already sold $10,000 worth of books,
with all profits going to charities that aid children and animals
with illness.
This wasn't the first time Rochford, a Long Beach resident, had
written a book. During her varied career, which has taken her from
art to publishing to computers, Rochford also wrote a how-to guide
called K.E.E.P.S. Kodak Electronic Ektaprint Publishing System;
a comprehensive training guide, Everything You Always Wanted
to Know About OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard, But Were Afraid
to Ask; and Is This House Safe?, a reference guide on
assessing the structural integrity and safety conditions of a house.
"Because I've done so much," said Rochford, "I feel
my life has gone full circle."
Rochford started out in art, initially studying art and industrial
psychology at New Paltz University. On May 13 she will be obtaining
her B.A. in art education from C.W. Post. She started her quest
for the degree a little over two years ago. "I've always remained
open to do anything," said Rochford. "I've never said
this is my career and it's the only thing I do." Still, the
transition sometimes was awkward. "I've been at Ms.
and Playboy, and suddenly I'm in a room full of kids,"
said Rochford, who student taught at Glenwood Landing Elementary
School. She also worked full-time while getting her degree. After
graduation, she'd like to teach at an elementary, middle or high
school, and someday move to the college level.
She discovered the joys of teaching as an instructor for C.W. Post's
Continuing Education program in 1993, showing others the ins and
outs of home inspection and offering OSHA's 10-hour Occupational
Safety & Health Standards course. Prior to that, Rochford managed
her own company, Rochford & Associates, which provides technology
support services, including computer training and troubleshooting,
to companies such as Playboy, Interview, Art & America and
Antiques magazines, and MediZine, Inc.
On graduation day, Rochford will be cheered on by her parents,
sister and brother. The three pets she currently lives with - Shamus,
a chocolate lab; Casey, a Golden Retriever; and Noname, a mixed
feline - are also proud.
Rochford will join 1,400 graduates at C.W. Post's 43rd annual commencement
exercises on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13, 2001. C.W. Post is one
of six campuses of Long Island University, the eighth largest private
university in the United States. C.W. Post's 11,000 students can
choose from a broad range of undergraduate and graduate offerings
as well as extensive continuing education programs. C.W. Post has
awarded more than 82,000 degrees in its 47-year history. The campus
is located on Northern Boulevard (Route 25A) in Brookville.
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