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What About Kris?“What about Kris?” is a phrase Kris often heard as a child and still hears as an adult. Kris has encountered and overcome obstacles 24/7 since age 7 when diagnosed with severely disabling Rheumatoid Arthritis. “What about Kris” is often said in recognition of Kris's physical limitations. Kris now chooses to see the same phrase as recognizing her strengths and uniqueness rather than highlighting any perceived limitations. What about Kris and her Strong Spirit Unlimited? Why doesn't she quit? How does she “Stick to it—no matter what”? And how can you do the same? That's exactly the message Kris wants to share with you! "What about Kris" persevering as a child? What about Kris? How does a 7-year-old manage her first time away from home while being hospitalized for three months, over Thanksgiving and Christmas? What about Kris? She's gone from being a fully healthy and able-bodied child to someone who can barely move and needs help to brush her hair. What about Kris? Now that she's finally been diagnosed, her doctors don't have medications or treatment plans for children with rheumatoid arthritis. What about Kris? We can't take her on a long family road trip anymore because it's not good for her joints to sit and be still for so long. What about Kris? She can't go to the fair with the other kids. She can't walk that far. What about Kris? She can't be left home alone. What if there's an emergency and she can't escape quickly on her own? What about Kris? There are so many kids' activities she can't do. How will she learn normal social interaction? What about Kris? She's so shy, she'll hardly speak to anyone. What about Kris? She always smiles and never complains. She won't talk about having arthritis or how she feels about it, even though she's in constant pain. What about Kris? What if there's a fire or drill at school? She can't get out safely in a crowd. What about Kris? The school district administrators don't understand the need at school for access or transportation. What about Kris? She's missing a lot of school. Can tutors teach her at home? What about Kris? She can't attend church or confirmation regularly. Is she learning anything about life or God? "What about Kris" persevering as a teenager? What about Kris? She'll never be able to walk from room to room in high school, and carry all those heavy books. What about Kris? Does she notice kids at school mimicking her limp or ignoring her entirely? What about Kris? She doesn't need to try driving. It's not safe. What about Kris? She shouldn't cook or iron. She'll cut or burn herself. What about Kris? She's not adapting well to using a cane or wheelchair. What about Kris? Surgeons haven't had experience performing hip replacements on someone so young and so small. What about Kris? The world isn't built for someone who's 4'8". What about Kris? She'll never be able to navigate a college campus or keep up with the demands of studying. What about Kris? She thinks she's so limited in life.
What about Kris? She'll never be able to work a full-time job to support herself. What about Kris? She'll never be able to live independently and take care of herself. What about Kris? All her friends and siblings are dating. Will guys appreciate someone who's not physically active? What about Kris? All her friends and siblings are getting married. Will she? What about Kris? All her friends and siblings are having kids. Can she? “What about Kris?” her mother asked as she learned of her terminal illness. Who will take care of my youngest child? What about Kris? How is she keeping up with college, and taking care of her mother, while still learning personal life skills so she can take care of herself? “What about Kris?” her dad asked as he wrote his will in preparation. What about Kris? Breaking up with a long-time boyfriend soon after her father's death seems like a lot of goodbyes in a short time. What about Kris? She can't possibly move 1000 miles away from home to live on her own. What about Kris? She can't travel and navigate airports alone. What about Kris? Most hiring managers don't understand how an exceptional resume is accompanied by someone with a physical disability. What about Kris? She has to be exceptional if she has any chance at being considered equal. What about Kris? She champions the underdog and justice whether or not it affects her. What about Kris? She'll have to figure out how to live for a year using a walker post-surgery while continuing to work and live independently. What about Kris? She can't possibly run her own business. Besides, how will she ever qualify for medical insurance on her own? What about Kris? It's yet another surgery for the medical record books. What about Kris? If she wants to keep walking, she'll need more surgeries. Other medical issues decrease her chances for survival each time. What about Kris? She should be bitter by the negative reactions she routinely encounters in public. What about Kris? Shouldn't inspirational speakers be positive all the time? What about Kris? Suicide? Really? She's never shown signs of depression . . . has she? "What about Kris?" persevering as a matured adult? What about Kris? She perseveres through everything. What about Kris? How does she do it? What about Kris? How does she always find a way? What about Kris? She's an incredible problem-solver. What about Kris? She's gifted at seeing situations so clearly and uniquely. What about Kris? She's got such a strong-willed spirit. What about Kris? She's not satisfied with "This is the way it is." What about Kris? She's not content with the status quo.
What about Kris? She no longer accepts limitations imposed by herself or others. What about Kris? She recognizes that we all struggle in various ways. What about Kris? She's a natural encourager of others. What about Kris? She's a natural leader of others. "What about Kris" persevering as a professional encourager? Indeed. What about Kris? You tell me. Can her Strong Spirit Unlimited cause other people to discover their own? What about Kris? Is she someone who could inspire the people in your life or organization? Has her story inspired you? Could her story change people's perspectives on their own lives? Could her determination cause others to persevere and “stick to it—no matter what”? What about Kris? It's your call.
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"What about Kris" persevering as a young adult?
What about Kris? Her attitude toward her own life has changed dramatically.