struggling to accept or love themselves ?
The biggest piece of advice I can offer is to remember that , at the end of the day , you are your own biggest motivator and confidant . When I finally stopped caring about everyone else ’ s opinions and chose to live my life according to my plan , that ’ s when true empowerment found me . It ’ s not about pleasing others or fitting into a mold society expects from you . It ’ s about embracing who you are , flaws and all , and living authentically . You have the power to define your own worth — no one else can do that for you .
Living with achondroplasia presents unique challenges . How has this influenced your approach to everyday life , travel , and relationships ?
Living with achondroplasia has definitely shaped my approach to life , travel , and relationships in ways I never anticipated . Honestly , I wouldn ' t be where I am today if I hadn ’ t faced adversity head-on , seeing the world through a lens that only 1 in 40,000 people truly know . Pain has always been my greatest teacher , and it ’ s taught me that while we have control over a lot of things , there ’ s also so much we don ’ t control .
Over the past eight years , I ’ ve undergone 19 surgeries ( soon to be 20 !) because of the mistreatment and misdiagnosis of spinal stenosis , which is the leading cause of disability for those living with achondroplasia . That experience has made me really intentional about controlling what little I can — my attitude , the opportunities I go after , the relationships I nurture . I always say , " If not now , then when ?" None of us know what tomorrow will bring , so I make the most of today , in every way possible . When presented with an opportunity to travel , meet new people and make connections – it is incredibly rare that my answer is “ no .” Those closest to me will tell you , I do not stop . Ever .
You ’ ve been a role model for so many . Can you share a story where your work or words made a significant impact on someone else ’ s life ?
Yesterday we had a 9 year old patient come into our clinic for a followup appointment after she had corrective surgery on both of her legs to get her out of pain . Even though she lives with a completely different form of skeletal dysplasia than me , I have been able to relate to her , her struggles and her triumphs on a level that most people cannot . After her appointment she gave me a card with a note that read , “ We love you so , so , so much . You have done so much for me and I know how thankful I am and I know how much other people you have done things for are thankful for you too .”
It ’ s those little moments that really make me pause and reflect on how much more confident and less anxious little Kristen might have been when facing tough situations if she had the same sense of community I have now . Community is everything , and while I may have an impact on other people ’ s lives , the truth is , the way they ' ve touched my heart and shaped my life is just as profound . That ’ s something I ’ m truly grateful for .
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