Help Kristie Keep Rolling

HI, my name is Heather and I'm raising funds for one of my dearest and longest friends, Kristie L. Williams.

Kristie is a quadriplegic Living with Cerebral Palsy and through her career as an educator and author, she has always been an advocate for people with disabilities. Now, it’s time for others to advocate for her and help her with the purchase of a new VMI Accessible van.

Kristie lost her Daddy, who was her primary caregiver, in November 2021 and has been steadily rebuilding a new normal. As part of that new normal, Kristie is setting new physical and personal independence goals. One of the biggest of those goals is to complete a one-mile swim in August 2023 as a participant in The Crossing on Lake Gaston.

Kristie’s personal goals for this event are two-fold. When she was a little girl, the water was the first and only place she could move freely and of her own accord. When Covid struck, Kristie’s access to swim therapy was cut off, resulting in a decline in her mobility and physical strength and stamina. Now that the pool has reopened, Kristie is working hard to gain her freedom and strength back and, in being strong enough to participate in The Crossing, is hoping to raise money for her new van.

Yet another amazing fact about my friend is that her first poetry collection titled Finding Her was published by Finishing Line Press in August 2022. The ability to purchase a new van would not only ensure Kristie’s ability to attend therapy sessions, doctor’s appointments, and take care of daily travel needs, but would also allow her to continue her journey as an author via poetry readings, book signings, and meet & greets as she promotes this first collection and works towards her next.

Keep up with her journey, as I will be posting videos of her training sessions in the pool, photos and info on the van she needs, and possibly some of her poetry so you can all get to know a little more about this amazing person I'm honored to call my friend.