Speaking

Sometimes life has strange way of showing us our greatest attributes. And in those sometimes, life shows us that we are capable of things we never thought. It is never an easy task to learn this. It requires a test of will. But most importantly, the heart is discovered along the way.

I really was on top of the world...or my little world. In 2002, at the age of 27, I was top 20 at triathlon world championships in France, was committed to making my job as an athlete, after 4 years of balancing corporate world with professional athletics. We were spending the summer in the mountains of Colorado. My boyfriend, Matt, was a good guy and we were really getting along well. I returned home from France with Matt on a Friday. Saturday and Sunday were my two training days...with Monday being off. Monday morning I was off for a mountain bike ride with my brother. He had dog-sat for us while we were in France and I hadn't really seen him much as he had been in Belguim most of the summer.

I kissed matt good-bye I remember that.

Three days later, I awoke in intensive care. I remembered only up until the accident happened, that brief moment of truth.

I was hit and run over by a 15-ton semi-dumptruck. The driver was late for work, tired from being up all night, and he changed my life forever that morning. My heart stopped. it started up again. My lower half was crushed, my head split in two. I was unable to move anything from my waist down.

It was a perfect fall morning with the sun shining. I will always remember that smell of a fall morning. The way the air is so fresh, with a hint of the winter a coming.

It is the curve balls of life where we learn the most. It is times that bring us to our knees that we learn to build back up stronger.

See I always thought I would be remembered for these three things: talking lots, running, and laughing. Or at least that is what I hoped I would be remembered for.

Well that morning when I opened my eyes I would not be remembered as a runner. See, I was paralyzed from the waist down. I ask each of you, if you lost a talent or trait right now, one that you believe defines you, what is that emptiness like? Man, It is the bottom of the bucket...that bottom you only pray you never see.

I hope by sharing not just my story of the accident but also my disappointments and triumphs that I can inspire others to never give up and push themselves to achieve their greatest moments- in sport and in life.

Contact Kelly to set up engagements.