Kristen’s life journey is etched into the canvas of scars on her soul suit.

For each individual, a story unfolds—a narrative shaped by the impact of life’s blows that change us. Moments of both physical and emotional pain, of soaring joy and immobilizing fear, of seething anger and tranquil contentment. Amidst these moments, there is a common thread that quietly binds them, often imperceptible—the need to voice their experiences without the weight of judgment.

Born with the most common form of dwarfism, achondroplasia, her parents nurtured a mentality within her from the start: she would never allow her disability to shape her identity. As a young child, she navigated life with happiness and pride, fully aware that she was capable of anything. Making her way through grade school, she began to grasp society’s perception of people with disabilities, especially those with dwarfism–individuals like her. These prevailing attitudes often branded them as incapable, less-than, unworthy, and sadly, even subjects of ridicule. The assumptions and judgments passed by society cut deep, yet she stood stoic. No one’s thoughts, words, or actions would take her down. Within her, a spark ignited, a yearning to tell the world that she was more than her physical soul suit and she refused to be put in a box labeld ‘little person,’ or worse, ‘midget.’ Little did she know, this initial spark would kindle the flames of an extraordinary journey for those little legs and big heart.

That spark ignited when she was in third grade and her class read “Thinking Big,” a story centered around Jamie, a young girl living with achondroplasia. Recognizing the serendipity, her teachers encouraged her to share her story, uncovering the threads of connection and distinction between her life and Jamie’s. Weaving together the seams between Jamie’s path and her own, Kristen illuminated the unique and shared aspects of their lives amidst the adversity they faced and far beyond their diagnosis of achondroplasia. That was the pivotal moment when it struck her—she wasn’t just a ‘little person’ and she had full control over the trajectory of her life. She was Kristen—a girl with little legs and a BIG heart. This revelation defined her purpose and unveiled the truth: her condition, her trials, her triumphs, her fears—these scars were her stories that she was meant to share.

While attending the College of Charleston in South Carolina, Kristen’s resilient veil as a woman living with achondroplasia, standing her ground against the world’s attempts to shatter her spirit, began to dissolve. Driven by the fear of appearing vulnerable, the instances of the public’s idiocy that caused heartache to those closest to her, the moments when she felt humiliated or belittled, the resentment toward her condition, and even the tears she denied herself because of the perceived need to remain unaffected—everything she’d suppressed and denied herself culminated in a decline of self-esteem and mental well-being. Suddenly, her journey shifted. No longer focused on upholding an image of unyielding strength, it transformed into a path of accepting the emotional repercussions of her circumstances, persevering and doing whatever it took to get through it, and growing from the experience and lessons learned.

As Kristen continues to openly share her honest journey and evolve as a woman living with achondroplasia, every encounter, every experience embraced, and every challenge surmounted has significantly contributed to shaping the woman she is today—a woman committed to sharing her light in hopes of easing the darkness for others. Among her life’s astounding revelations is her realization that her soul[suit]’s purpose is to remind individuals that when faced with suffering—whether enduring rage, heartbreak, disappointment, or sheer human idiocy—running and hiding is not the answer; opening up and communicating true feelings and emotions is. Within that vulnerability, true growth and connections unfold.

Living with dwarfism is a lifelong journey and the consequences come with the territory. At the age of twenty nine, an unexpected twist altered the chapters of Kristen’s story. An unexpected loss of feeling and sensation in her legs, accompanied by pain that did not register on seismic scales, prompted a spinal stenosis diagnosis. After numerous medical consultations, the recommended solution was simple: physical therapy. However, a year later, the pain worsened to a point where walking and daily acts of living became a challenge. When she eventually connected with the specialist who would become her beacon of hope, partial paralysis had taken hold of her right side.

Navigating emotional turmoil born from extreme pain, a life interrupted, and societal norms led Kristen to a metaphorical rock bottom—a pint of vulnerability where she confronted her deepest fears and insecurities and entrusted her life repeatedly to a surgeon and his team. Amidst this journey, her healing and purpose materialized as she embraced her unapologetically unique self. This transformation brought support, purpose and solace from her community, unveiled the potency of her self-acceptance, harnessed her diagnosis as a catalyst for advocacy and inclusivity, and challenged societal norms.

Through sharing my story, I’ve soared above my circumstances, forging profound connections with individuals, and advocacy groups around the world, advocating for the dwarfism and the disability communities and sparking a ripple effect of positive transformation. This incredible journey has propelled me from a young girl bravely standing before her classmates to an internationally recognized speaker and advocate—an evolution that encapsulates a transition from debilitating pain to a life aligned with purpose, from relying on food stamps to achieving financial stability.

Through sharing her story, Kristen has soared above her circumstances, forging profound connections with individuals and advocacy groups worldwide, advocating for the dwarfism and disability communities, sparking a ripple effect of positive transformation in all aspects of her life. This remarkable journey propelled her from a young girl courageously facing her classmates to an internationally acclaimed speaker and advocate—an evolution that encapsulates a transition from debilitating pain to a life aligned with purpose, from relying on food stamps to achieving financial stability.

Life is short and so are her legs. With each step she takes, Kristen reminds us all that within every scar lies the artistry of a remarkable journey that, when shared, has the potential to heal as much as modern medicine. Here’s to accepting life as it unfolds, persevering challenges, growing from the experience and being grateful every single step of the way.

“It doesn’t matter how long your legs are, you can only take one step at a time.”