Kristin Fox’s strength and resolve continue to shock and surprise most who don’t know the 40-year-old Poland woman who is overcoming obstacles that would break many of us.

We suspect, though, that her perseverance is not a surprise to her husband and children, her co-workers or others who know her.

And now, she’s happy to share words of inspiration and encouragement to others who are facing adversity.

Little more than a year ago, Fox suffered a horrible complication when hospitalized for influenza A. To save her life, doctors had to amputate both arms and legs below her knees and elbows.

Today, equipped with natural-looking prosthetic arms and legs, she maintains an increasingly busy speaking schedule in which she delivers uplifting messages to her audiences. Last week, she delivered the keynote address for one of the Youngstown State University commencement ceremonies.

Kristin’s drive and spirit must be quite an inspiration for her children, Laiken, 8, and Landon, 10, along with her husband, Mike; and countless others who love her.

It could have been easy and understandable for this amazing woman to fall into depression or self-doubt. Instead, days before Mother’s Day last week, she was giving eloquent and enlightening advice.

“You can’t get back time; learn to be present. I can’t change what happened to me, but I can change how I am in that moment, because you don’t know if you have tomorrow,” Fox told our reporter.

She spoke not with self-pity, but with concern for how difficult this situation must be for her own mother, who has watched her face these incredible challenges.

“This has been so hard for my mom. I can’t imagine seeing my kids go through this,” Kristin said. “My mom calls me a thousand times a day. She would bring me an iced coffee in the middle of the day if I need one.”

She added: “Call your mom; see your mom. Take five minutes, because you’re not guaranteed tomorrow.”

Kristin inspires many people with her steadfast determination, fortitude and strength in refusing to allow her ordeal to define or defeat her.

“I have difficult moments, but they don’t ruin my day,” she said. “My mindset is, ‘Don’t tell me I can’t; show me all the ways I can.'”

The message she delivered to YSU graduates last weekend was an educational and valuable one. She relayed her story, and spoke about the importance of perseverance and was clear in her message: “Don’t ever let anyone tell you ‘you can’t.'”

Kristin now is preparing to return to her job as special programs coordinator in the Campbell City School District after receiving clearance from a medical disability specialist in Parma.

Indeed, her years as a teacher and assistant principal have left an impact on many students, and her plans also include using her story to give a voice and platform to young people who feel they lack both, she explained. In addition, she intends to advocate for young people who are in dire situations beyond their control.

We wish Kristin Fox continued strength and resolve, but we have no doubt, because of her attitude, she will thrive.

editorial@vindy.com

SCRIPTURE

Now He who has made us and prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the (Holy) Spirit as a pledge (a guarantee, a down payment on the fulfillment of His promise).

2 Corinthians 5:5 AMP