Published: November 03, 2009 11:25 pm         

Vigo native writes book about personal challenges

TERRE HAUTE — Late last year, Katherine Robinson faced a series of challenges that would have plunged most people into despair.

On Halloween 2008, regulators closed the Bradenton, Fla.-based bank where she worked as human resources manager. The following Monday, Nov. 3, the 1977 Terre Haute North Vigo High School graduate turned 50.

Then on Dec. 2, she learned she had a rare brain tumor, acoustic neuroma, which develops on the nerve that connects the ear to the brain. Fortunately, it was slow-growing and not malignant, but the tumor already had affected her sense of taste and caused a tingling sensation on the left side of her face.

Fortunately, Robinson’s story has a happy ending. Her surgery was successful, and she now has a job with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. in Jacksonville, Fla. She moved to Florida in 1981.

“What a difference a year makes,” said Robinson, who celebrated her 51st birthday Tuesday.

Robinson, who also does motivational speaking, has written a book about her challenges and how she faced them. It’s called “Expect The Best … There’s Always Hope on the Horizon.”

The book will be out and available on Amazon.com Dec. 2, the one-year anniversary that she was diagnosed with the brain tumor.

She has planned three book-signing events in Terre Haute: from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 11 at the Open Door bookstore behind Honey Creek Mall; from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 12 at the Open Door; and from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 12 at Java Haute, where she wrote part of the book.

The book cover describes “Expect the Best” as “an inspirational story that will provide comfort and encouragement to anyone who is being tested by life.”

The softcover book will sell for $15.95, but Robinson said there will be special discounts at the book signings. She is self-publishing through Bardolf and Co.

In the book, Robinson recaps her experiences last year and describes how she got through it. “You hang on to hope, no matter what it is,” she said.

She turned to her faith, family and friends “to get me through things positively,” she said. She believes that no matter how bad things get, “You have to look for the good” and have a grateful heart.

“Whatever we go through can make us stronger and wiser,” she said.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.