Alma Blazquez, a native Chicagoan,received her BA in early childhood education, MA in specialized education, and Ed.d in educational leadership from DePaul University.

She sustained severe injuries which became life threatening after being struck by a hit-and-run vehicle while riding her bicycle in September, 2003. Previous to her accident, Alma worked as a special ed teacher with inner-city teens and as a social advocate for students with various disabilities. She was also a mother who was interested in long distance running and body-building.

Following her accident, she endured nine years of surgeries and physical therapies. She studied physical and spiritual healing arts in Hawaii and took too many medicines. In March 2012, Alma had her Near-Death Experience after experiencing seizures in the hospital.

During her Near-Death Experience, she had an intense life-changing experience and is currently working on grounding and integrating that experience into her life. On average, it takes at least seven years to integrate an experience. Alma is representative of what that process can be like, and will share that with us.