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Patsy Pease has been playing Kimberly Brady on Days of our Lives since 1984 and has never looked back with any regret.

"Oh no! The story has been a hot mess like life. She is my best friend. It's a parallel love," Pease laughs. "After 30 years, I have met many friends and friendships have developed because of the show."

Back in the 1980's, Pease along with Charles Shaughnessy (ex-Shane) were one of the hottest couples on daytime TV. They come from the era when the soaps had the "Super Couples" and they were at the top of the list.

Pease and Shaughnessy were so hot that when they appeared on-screen they had their own theme song called, "Friends and Lovers," sung by Gloria Loring (ex-Liz of Days) and Carl Anderson, and the song went on to be a chart topping hit. It played in the background of their scenes.

Pease said that she never absorbed what 'recognition' means. "I do my job. It has never registered," she said. "It is my job. I go in and do what my employer wants. It's not a day of Patsy's life, but Days of our Lives."

Pease played the role steadily into the 90's and then decided to leave the show for personal reasons. Today she appears on canvas as needed in the storyline.

"I left the show by choice. In fact I had no choice." Pease said. "My son was diagnosed with a serious illness, so without doubt, you do what is important in life," Pease explained. "This job -- being a mother -- is not the type of job where a replacement can come in. I have to be there, so again, I had a choice to make."

Pease's son, Russell, is today 24 years-old. He was diagnosed with a rare congenital disease, called 'Arthrogryposis' (congenital joint contractures in two or more areas of the body). He has restricted lung disease and is breathing at 50%.

He is doing fairly well today, but has been to Mayo Clinic and through many operations and has a steel rod nailed to his spine. Pease herself admitted that she suffers with back problems and has also been through several surgeries.

"You need to do what you have to do. I had a rough time going, and on top of all that, I was a single mom doing all this alone," Pease said. I had to make many decisions. One was to leave Hollywood. Today I live outside Jacksonville, Florida, where I find the climate better for my son."

Pease has always offered encouragement to her son, saying the worst thing a parent can do is let the child see you pity them. "I put him in karate at 12 and he has a black belt. He has loads of confidence, and I'm so proud of him. And hands down from all of this, I am a stronger person," she said. Pease also has two other sons, Ryan and Josh.

Pease said her life today in Florida is different and she makes public appearances, where she speaks on her son's disease and goes to Washington where she is trying to get the Senate to pass a bill to raise awareness for research for this disease.

"I enjoy being an advocate for people and take this seriously," Pease said. "I feel I can be because I have been there, and I have walked the journey."

Pease said despite the setbacks, she is very grateful for everything, and to be a part of Days of our Lives.

Soapdom wants to know, would you return back permanently, and any message to your fans? "Well...I guess! I'd love for Kim to be back with Shane. But I want to be a part of the storyline and have something to add to the story. Also, today I can continue living here, as many of our cast mates live out of Los Angeles and commute. As for the fans, I can say that they are always with me. I hope I can make them as happy as they have made me," she said.

Pease said that she misses the old days of the soaps. She liked her story on hysterical blindness and said that was a favorite. "I liked the romance, the courtships. The audience was interested in family, and Days represents millions of families that can relate to our problems."

Pease admitted that when she returns today to the set, you take a deep breath and go shoot the show. There is no rehearsal time, you have to know your lines. "I honestly don't know how the kids do it? Hats off to the young actors. But every time I return, the show is very welcoming, and I must say it is a well run show with a very tight schedule. Doing a show like this is a lot of hard work. When I look back, I wonder how I did it."

Connect with Pease on Facebook

Twitter @PatsyPease

 

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