Michelle was born in 1959 in Abbotsford, BC, Canada. She grew up with her two older siblings, Bonnie and Jim. Michelle married her high school boyfriend. They started a family with the birth of their first daughter, Melissa.  Two years later Melissa was followed by their second daughter, Megan.

In 1988, Michelle was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Doctors removed her spleen and she underwent 40 radiation treatments. After a long recovery she returned to University to complete her Bachelor of Arts degree. Hoping for a fresh start, the family moved to Chilliwack, but Michelle and her husband divorced a few years later. She has worked at the University of the Fraser Valley for the past 16 years and is currently an education advisor for International students. 

Michelle remarried in 2005 to Darren Rickaby. Together, they blended their families of Melissa and Megan and Darren's two sons, Curtis and Spencer, along with their dog Tucker. Michelle and Darren love to travel to all parts of the world for exotic adventures, the most recent being Cambodia. It wouldn’t be unusual to find them snorkeling with sharks, riding elephants or hiking in the jungle. Besides travelling, Michelle also enjoys gardening, dragon boating, and writing. Michelle has published two travel articles and, in 2009, her personal story, My Symbol of Hope, was published in the April issue of the Canadian Living magazine.
 
Michelle has been a volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society for over 20 years trying to “give back” the kindness and support she received during her cancer diagnosis, treatment, and subsequent recovery.  She spent too many years worrying and has learned that “choosing to smile” makes it so much easier to face all of life's many challenges. 

Feel free to contact me at Michelle@ChoosingToSmile.com