"Lucky 15 is a reminder to think of at least 15 things you are grateful for!"
My illnesses have permanently altered how I look at the world and what I hope to do with my life. My struggles have made me a more compassionate and understanding, intelligent and determined, gracious and grateful individual. That is what I am truly lucky for.
About Lucky 15 and Kelly Lyons
Lucky 15 is a project to raise awareness for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, and the funds for medical research. Founded in 2012, with the support of the community and friends both near and far, I have raised more than $20,000 for The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. The Foundation is leading the way in providing the necessary resources to find a cure for Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. From asking my community for support or building a website completely on my own, I have been determined to get the word out there! Diagnosed in October 2010, I have been fighting Crohn's since my sixth grade year. My current goal is to raise over $25,000. The Foundation is a 501(C) and donors & sponsors are encouraged to post funds directly to my team page for the Take Steps Event. Click the Take Steps button below to go to the donation page.
A Little About My Story- Kelly
I am a just a normal teenager who, well, was diagnosed with a life-long chronic illness, started a fundraising project all on my own, got involved with patient advocacy, is going to college for business administration in healthcare...ok not normal really at all.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in October 2010, the beginning of my 6th grade year. Starting junior high, I was all about finding my new look, but 3 months of the highest-dose of steroids was definitely not what I was envisioning. After those grueling weeks of steroids, I fell quickly out of remission, and was forced to start Remicade. With an hospital IV infusion every 8 weeks, I started living my life on a timetable. I struggled with makeup work, absences, and a new handful of pills and medications. But with amazing support from my teachers and family, I finished 6th grade- something that had a whole new meaning. As a straight A student with unbelievable control issues, my health now demanded the ability to relieve stress. I began to change the way I did everything, from talking to teachers to completing an assignment and going to school. Slowly, however, I started to return to a 'normal' life. I started school again in the fall, excited to go back with my friends. However, by October of 7th grade, I became a home school student after over 30 absences to deal with new neurological pains. In April 2012, after months of tests, I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Intercranial Hypertension (an overproduction of spinal fluid causing dangerous amounts of pressure on my spinal cord and brain), along with a Spinal Cyst (a structural abnormality in my spine). I was then put on diuretic medication, after nearly losing my eye sight. I returned to school in May, and was so glad to be back. It was my goal to finish the year with my friends, and that is what I did.
Over the summer, I started to think about how I could reach out to others. After those tough 2 years, I decided to start a project with a more positive outlook on life. You might of heard of it... LUCKY 15! I worked for 2 weeks with my mom, grandmother, and sister in my grandmother's jewelry room to make an inventory for Gutsy Girl. Back then, I had no idea what Lucky 15 would turn into, but I had high hopes and big ideas. I am so blessed and amazed at what we have been able to accomplish for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis medical research and awareness.
I started 8th grade in the fall of 2012, and I was so ready to have a normal year. But of course I am an overachiever, whether we are talking about grades or making my life as crazy as possible! I made a video presentation and went to my principal, Dr. Imelda Medrano, and asked what I could do with Seven Lakes Junior High. Together with my wonderful counselor, Mrs. Jennifer Porter, we did a pep rally, sold 'Spartans Have Guts' t-shirts and did a spirit night at Rita's. It was a great way to launch Lucky 15 in the community! We raised almost $4000! In addition, I stayed in school all year, despite being diagnosed with Autonomic Dysfunction in December 2012, and graduated junior high in June 2013! I am so grateful to have the support from everyone, surely without what I would have never made it this far. Then it was just on to high school. Both freshman and sophomore years were very challenging, but with lots of support and determination, I finished my first half of high school!
I decided to do junior year online at Texas Connections Academy with Houston ISD. It was scary transition, especially having big dreams about college and a meaningful high school experience. I was grateful that I could continue to push myself in challenging classes (4 AP classes, French 1 (my third foreign language) and honors Pre-Calculus...what did I get myself into...), but with the flexibility and support to truly succeed. I am also loved the new leadership and Lucky 15 projects that I had the opportunity to do that year. Online school is definitely another big change, but it was an amazing experience.
It was a decision I thought over for months, but in the end, I stayed with online school for senior year. It was hard for me to watch as my friends spent the last year of high school together at the brick-and-mortar school and graduate together after doing all the "senior things," but I know it was the right thing for me. I took another challenging course load and graduated as the Salutatorian of my graduating class of about 560 students. As I applied to college and juggled school and leadership opportunities, I could not believe how far I had come since sixth grade. I have grown so much, and for better or worst, being chronically ill has played a big part in that. Along with senior year, I switched from Remicade to Humira, and learned how to continue managing my illness as an adult.
Now I am a freshman at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. I am at my dream school and I am loving life here. I am a Science Management major with a concentration in Public Health, and I plan on attending business school after graduation to pursue pediatric hospital administration. My life has changed so much just from last year, and from sixth grade. I moved thousands of miles away from my family and medical support, and that can be scary sometimes, but I am so happy to be where I am!
This summary of my medical record and school experiences- that is not all that defines me or makes me who I am. I often find that these long explanations of my Lucky 15 project or my health issues lack the other aspects that make me who I am as a person, a friend, and a dreamer. My hobbies, my family, my passions and dislikes. These are often covered up by the obvious handful of pills I carry everywhere, or the hospital infusions. Many people do not know I am a dancer and have been since the age of 3, or that I love to learn and discover new things, and that I have a gorgeous, hilarious little sister whom I adore! Of course it is important to learn more about this disease, and how you can change lives just by supporting a project started by one of your friends. But more importantly, I hope by visiting this website you get a better idea of who I am, my dreams about Lucky 15, and how my challenges have shaped not only the person you know, but have forever changed who I will become. I hope to be an example to those either on a similar journey or just looking for hope that challenges like these don't define you more then you let them. I hope to inspire anyone reading to keep fighting for what they need and to continue to stand up in the face of people telling you it cannot be done. It can be done and sometimes all you need to reach your goals is a little help (and asking for help can be harder than the goal sometimes, yes I know). I have learned about being a leader over these past couple years...and I have learned all you have to do sometimes is just ask. Whether asking for a break when I really needed one, or asking someone to support my project, I have learned so much since 6th grade.
My illnesses have permanently altered how I look at the world and what I hope to do with my life. My struggles have made me a more compassionate and understanding, intelligent and determined, gracious and grateful individual. That is what I am truly lucky for.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in October 2010, the beginning of my 6th grade year. Starting junior high, I was all about finding my new look, but 3 months of the highest-dose of steroids was definitely not what I was envisioning. After those grueling weeks of steroids, I fell quickly out of remission, and was forced to start Remicade. With an hospital IV infusion every 8 weeks, I started living my life on a timetable. I struggled with makeup work, absences, and a new handful of pills and medications. But with amazing support from my teachers and family, I finished 6th grade- something that had a whole new meaning. As a straight A student with unbelievable control issues, my health now demanded the ability to relieve stress. I began to change the way I did everything, from talking to teachers to completing an assignment and going to school. Slowly, however, I started to return to a 'normal' life. I started school again in the fall, excited to go back with my friends. However, by October of 7th grade, I became a home school student after over 30 absences to deal with new neurological pains. In April 2012, after months of tests, I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Intercranial Hypertension (an overproduction of spinal fluid causing dangerous amounts of pressure on my spinal cord and brain), along with a Spinal Cyst (a structural abnormality in my spine). I was then put on diuretic medication, after nearly losing my eye sight. I returned to school in May, and was so glad to be back. It was my goal to finish the year with my friends, and that is what I did.
Over the summer, I started to think about how I could reach out to others. After those tough 2 years, I decided to start a project with a more positive outlook on life. You might of heard of it... LUCKY 15! I worked for 2 weeks with my mom, grandmother, and sister in my grandmother's jewelry room to make an inventory for Gutsy Girl. Back then, I had no idea what Lucky 15 would turn into, but I had high hopes and big ideas. I am so blessed and amazed at what we have been able to accomplish for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis medical research and awareness.
I started 8th grade in the fall of 2012, and I was so ready to have a normal year. But of course I am an overachiever, whether we are talking about grades or making my life as crazy as possible! I made a video presentation and went to my principal, Dr. Imelda Medrano, and asked what I could do with Seven Lakes Junior High. Together with my wonderful counselor, Mrs. Jennifer Porter, we did a pep rally, sold 'Spartans Have Guts' t-shirts and did a spirit night at Rita's. It was a great way to launch Lucky 15 in the community! We raised almost $4000! In addition, I stayed in school all year, despite being diagnosed with Autonomic Dysfunction in December 2012, and graduated junior high in June 2013! I am so grateful to have the support from everyone, surely without what I would have never made it this far. Then it was just on to high school. Both freshman and sophomore years were very challenging, but with lots of support and determination, I finished my first half of high school!
I decided to do junior year online at Texas Connections Academy with Houston ISD. It was scary transition, especially having big dreams about college and a meaningful high school experience. I was grateful that I could continue to push myself in challenging classes (4 AP classes, French 1 (my third foreign language) and honors Pre-Calculus...what did I get myself into...), but with the flexibility and support to truly succeed. I am also loved the new leadership and Lucky 15 projects that I had the opportunity to do that year. Online school is definitely another big change, but it was an amazing experience.
It was a decision I thought over for months, but in the end, I stayed with online school for senior year. It was hard for me to watch as my friends spent the last year of high school together at the brick-and-mortar school and graduate together after doing all the "senior things," but I know it was the right thing for me. I took another challenging course load and graduated as the Salutatorian of my graduating class of about 560 students. As I applied to college and juggled school and leadership opportunities, I could not believe how far I had come since sixth grade. I have grown so much, and for better or worst, being chronically ill has played a big part in that. Along with senior year, I switched from Remicade to Humira, and learned how to continue managing my illness as an adult.
Now I am a freshman at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. I am at my dream school and I am loving life here. I am a Science Management major with a concentration in Public Health, and I plan on attending business school after graduation to pursue pediatric hospital administration. My life has changed so much just from last year, and from sixth grade. I moved thousands of miles away from my family and medical support, and that can be scary sometimes, but I am so happy to be where I am!
This summary of my medical record and school experiences- that is not all that defines me or makes me who I am. I often find that these long explanations of my Lucky 15 project or my health issues lack the other aspects that make me who I am as a person, a friend, and a dreamer. My hobbies, my family, my passions and dislikes. These are often covered up by the obvious handful of pills I carry everywhere, or the hospital infusions. Many people do not know I am a dancer and have been since the age of 3, or that I love to learn and discover new things, and that I have a gorgeous, hilarious little sister whom I adore! Of course it is important to learn more about this disease, and how you can change lives just by supporting a project started by one of your friends. But more importantly, I hope by visiting this website you get a better idea of who I am, my dreams about Lucky 15, and how my challenges have shaped not only the person you know, but have forever changed who I will become. I hope to be an example to those either on a similar journey or just looking for hope that challenges like these don't define you more then you let them. I hope to inspire anyone reading to keep fighting for what they need and to continue to stand up in the face of people telling you it cannot be done. It can be done and sometimes all you need to reach your goals is a little help (and asking for help can be harder than the goal sometimes, yes I know). I have learned about being a leader over these past couple years...and I have learned all you have to do sometimes is just ask. Whether asking for a break when I really needed one, or asking someone to support my project, I have learned so much since 6th grade.
My illnesses have permanently altered how I look at the world and what I hope to do with my life. My struggles have made me a more compassionate and understanding, intelligent and determined, gracious and grateful individual. That is what I am truly lucky for.
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Inspiring Houston Women Blog Interview!
I was so honored to have met with Caroline Leech, author of the Inspiring Houston Women blog, and share my story! Check out the full interview by clicking below, and learn a little more about me and Lucky 15. Thank you to the wonderful Caroline Leech!
The Foundation's 2014 Youth Ambassador
January 25th, 2014, I was honored with the opportunity to speak at the Women of Distinction Ball benefiting The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation! As the Youth Ambassador, I was invited to celebrate 10 of Houston's finest, most giving ladies and share my story to help raise funds and awareness. I am still so grateful for the chance to have met such influential and kind people, and I made new friends and supporters of Lucky 15. The event raised over $830,000 for Crohn's and Colitis Research! Thank you to everyone who made it a night I will remember forever.
Here is my bio that was featured in the program at the Winter Ball!
Here is my bio that was featured in the program at the Winter Ball!
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