by Diana Scott

Eliz Erman

Eliz Erman is a self-assured young woman who is determined to make life work for her. Instead of looking at a devastating bout with a spinal injury and subsequent operation as a deterrent, she managed to find a silver lining, in fact several — a new career goal, course of study, and direction for her life.

Eliz has always had a passion for travel. That passion shaped her course of study in high school. She attended Western School of Environmental Science and Technology in Baltimore County, taking their culinary arts curriculum. She hoped, as a chef, to travel to all the exotic destinations of her dreams.

A spinal injury while playing volleyball led to a great deal of pain and turned her toward acupuncture and herbology. She found the relief she sought through these sources. Her family moved to Carroll County and she began her studies at Carroll in 2001 in relatively good health.

A second back injury sent her into another bout of great pain and medications that led to what she describes as a “zombie-like” existence. Surgery was the only answer left. Eliz remembers coming to Carroll in the morning, taking her exams, and
driving to the hospital for surgery in the afternoon. After the operation, she credits her physical therapist and his course of exercises and words of wisdom
with getting her life back.

Although the spinal injury robbed her of the
ability to stand long hours in a kitchen, it has given her another career goal. Her pain-relieving experiences with herbal remedies, acupuncture and physical therapy piqued her interest in biology and the sciences. The good grades she received helped her decide to pursue a career in alternative medicine.
She began to research possible schools to attend after Carroll. To her delight, she was accepted by her first choice: the International School of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Victoria in Canada. For admission, she needed a minimum of two years post-secondary academic education, which she has upon graduating this spring from Carroll. In addition, she said, “The low tuition at Carroll allowed me to save toward the five years of schooling in front of me.” Already a Reiki practitioner, Eliz, upon graduating from the Canadian school, will be certified in acupuncture, biology and Qigong.

In addition to reopening her dream of traveling by going to school in Canada, she fully expects to be able to open a practice anywhere in the world. “I want to help people get off medication or at least let them know there are other options.” Once established in a practice, her dream is to have a summerhouse in Spain. “I intend to be a force to be reckoned with,” she says with humor and enthusiasm. With Eliz’s great attitude toward life, she’ll most likely fulfill all of her dreams.

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