Ask me if I see myself as inspiring and a role model to others, I will tell you not really. But ask me if I have an interesting story to tell and I will say yes, definitely. Everyone has a story to tell. Mine is a little crazier than some but it is one that I enjoy telling for a few reasons. The biggest reason; it reminds me of the hurdles that I have overcome and that I am still here living a beautiful life. Telling my story also opens other peoples eyes (and minds) to my condition. So when I received an email a few months back from Julie, one of the coaches for the Akron University softball team, asking me if I would talk to the Akron ladies about overcoming obstacles; I said yes.

What a wonderful experience it was. Initially I was pretty nervous. I have spoken in elementary schools and to medical professionals but never college athletes or people my age. So obviously, I began creating stories in my mind about how I was going to get all flustered, how the girls would view me, the judgements they would make; yadda, yadda. When I got to the hotel where they were staying, I just told myself to relax and be Kristen. The team and coaches all sat in one of the conference rooms and there I stood in front of everyone to tell my story. So I just started at the beginning and took off from there.

SO MUCH FUN

The girls were wonderful. To think that even just one of them could take something away from hearing my story was empowering. And even if that wasn’t the case, I was able to learn from myself and that alone amazes me.

Needless to say, that set the intention for the rest of my day 🙂

Soaring with LOVE.