How to Persevere in Today’s Demanding World?
At the age of 2, Kelly was severely burned over 75% of her body in her childhood home. Her life was forever changed in that moment. It led to numerous surgeries throughout her life. Because her scars are so visible it led to a life of being highly visible, to being bullied, to being shunned, to being avoided because they were uncomfortable knowing how to talk to her, and to her not feeling wanted, needed or even loved.
But she has a beautiful story of discovering for herself that she wanted herself, she needed herself and most of that she loved herself. She became herself and she owned who she was. She was not defined by what happened to her, not by any event that happened to her.
She met someone special and fell in love and had three beautiful children. 24 years later she learned even more about herself and her strength and divorced her husband and became a single mother. Her strength comes from within and knowing who she is. This led to eventually trying painting and the inspiration for this blanket. The image on this blanket is one her first original works and the message is her message to anyone going through similar struggles that she has experienced in her life.
Kelly found a way to go from near-death to success; from the ugly scar-faced girl to the Top 10 Most Powerful and Influential Speaker, Fierce Woman of the Year, Best-Selling Author (4 times), recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and most recently a YWCA Woman of Distinction 2013.
