Star Walk of Fame

Patty Silver
Nashville, TN

Honored by Pamela Bradshaw

In 2000, Pamela Bradshaw was diagnosed with a reoccurrence of inflammatory breast cancer. Having just returned to Knoxville, TN she wanted to expand her support system beyond friends and family. She says she wanted and needed support from people who also were dealing with cancer and understood how she felt. After a visit to the oncologist, her husband picked up a copy of The Wellness Community (TWC) brochure featuring the free professionally-led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs and stress reduction classes that TWC- East Tennessee offered. Something told her this would be the fresh approach to healing that she was looking for. She began participating in free yoga classes and attending support group sessions at TWC- East Tennessee. She was excited to meet people she never would have crossed paths with if not for cancer---including, her Star, Patty Silver. Pamela first met Patty, a creative expression therapist, during a guest-lecture Patty was conducting at TWC-East Tennessee. The workshop introduced spiritual healing practices to help people living with cancer develop “adaptability in the face of catastrophe.” Patty had recently founded the Shekhinah Center’s “Kathy Norris Breast Cancer Help Program,” named in memoriam for Patty’s best friend who died in 1996 after a three-year battle with the disease. The eight-week program addressed survivorship and mortality by assisting the participants in remembering how the body can heal and reduce the stress of cancer with every breath. The activities included visualization exercises, creative expression through the arts, and meditation. All the activities were crafted to help participants align their mind, body, and spirit. Pamela decided to supplement the emotional support she received from The Wellness Community- East Tennessee, with the spiritual support she found at Patty’s center. She says, “I believe that the spiritually-based practices and insight I learned from Patty were an excellent complement to the knowledge, inspiration, support, and hope I received from TWC- East Tennessee.” Pamela has been in remission for six years and is currently teaching yoga classes at TWC- East Tennessee, where she provides support for others who are looking for ways to heal in the face of cancer. Her Star, Patty Silver, is now living in Nashville, TN and continues through her private practice to work with women in active disease, remission, survivorship, and women at risk to help them find peace and tranquility while dealing with cancer.