Kristan’s Story

It was the Fall of 2013, and Kristan Seaford, a 38-year-old stay-at-home mom with five young children,
had so far managed to avoid the bugs that her kids had been passing around like balls.
She liked to think that her flu shot and her cardiovascular health were providing her a protective shield - she was an avid runner
and taught classes in weight training and athletic conditioning.  

However, Kristan's life screeched to a halt and then veered in a new direction when catastrophic illness struck.
What began as the flu and strep throat suddenly turned into pneumonia and a life-threatening condition called septic shock.  
After 100 days, a medically-induced coma, six hospitals, and a miracle; she survived. 

However, the powerful treatments and medications that saved her life also changed it forever.  
The nutrients and oxygen that normally sustained her limbs were diverted in order to save her organs,
so the very medications that saved her life effectively killed her hands and feet.
Today she lives as a triple amputee, with her remaining foot missing the toes and heel.
But today she lives!

And she is as busy as ever - parenting those five children, driving them to various activities, 
volunteering at their schools, and trying to get dinner on the table most nights of the week.
She has also opened her own private counseling practice and has even become
a motivational and faith-building speaker. In short, Kristan has not let
disabilities slow her down, let alone stop her from doing what she loves - helping others.

Whenever I used to play the board game "Life" with my kids, I would change the rules a bit. In my version, 
whoever got the most kids in their little car was the winner!
I consider my real life to be a "win." 

I have five beautiful, healthy children, ages 11-21. I even landed on the space for twin girls!  
Ben (now 21), Caroline (now 18, Lauren and Maizie (now 16), and Jeannie (11) are caring, fun, and surprisingly different from one another.
They each have their own talents and interests, which leaves two harried and haggard Uber drivers (aka parents).
So far, we’ve produced a musician, an actress, a marching floutist, a soccer player, and a gymnast.
And that’s just carpool for after school on Tuesdays!

Oftentimes, when I am meeting people for the first time, they will be rather unimpressed by my physical challenges,
but absolutely blown away when I confess that I have five kids. That’s when they gasp and exclaim,
“My you have your hands full!”
That’s when I quickly shoot back with “Yes, if only I had hands!”

My family is the brightest light in my life as well as my biggest incentive to become the best person I can be.

For almost twenty-five years now, I have been married to an amazing - smart, curious, ambitious, caring, loyal, and supportive - man. 
My husband Brook is one of a kind. He may not be perfect, but he is (without question) perfect for me.
Brook is my biggest cheerleader, he has a fabulous sense of humor,
and he has the best laugh on the planet.

We have had a blast, and we have laughed a lot. But we have also faced a whole lot of adversity.
Career changes and parenting are tough on every marriage. But we have also survived seven pregnancies,
three of which ended in miscarriage, and one resulting in twins. 
Brook supported me through a fight with stage three, metastasizing melanoma as well.
All of those things tested us, but then…

I was struck by a catastrophic illness called sepsis struck. Miraculously, I survived; but I also
suffered multiple amputations that have forced some role reversals (to say the least)
and many, many compromises. 

But our love is grand, our commitment is great, and our kids are routinely grossed out
and embarrassed by the hugging, kissing and dancing that goes on in the kitchen.

Believe it or not, there is a large and loyal group of amputees here in Charlotte.
When I was hospitalized and preparing for my amputation surgery, I had several visits from members of this community. 
These men and women of all ages came of their own volition. At a time when I was physically suffering, uncertain of my future, and straight-up ignorant about amputations; they gave me education, support, encouragement, and, most of all, hope.

Each of them walked into my room looking so "normal." One would never have guessed they were missing
a limb or two, or three, or four. I was amazed. And relieved.  
They brought with them the possibility that I could someday enjoy a fully-functioning life again.

Little did I know that our friendships would grow exponentially with time.
My amputee friends have become my family.
Through special training and certification, I have become an "AMPOWER Peer Visitor" myself.  
Walking through the experience with new amputees is helping me give back,
and now I am proud to call myself an amputee.

If you or someone you know is an amputee who could use some encouragement, please send them my way.
It would be my honor and privilege to visit with them (in person or virtually.)

An Athlete

For my whole adult life, I have identified myself as an athlete. I have been a workout beast who loves to sweat,
increase my heart rate, and build muscle. I have been an instructor at the YMCA for almost ten years.
Whether it be choreographing and memorizing the moves for a step aerobics class, creating new ways to work a tricep muscle,
or qualifying for the Boston Marathon (2012), I've always enjoyed the challenges that athleticism awards me.  

My athleticism and physical condition could very well have saved my life-- my heart and lungs were incredibly strong going in.
It was through athletic training that I learned the very traits (determination, perseverance, discipline, endurance,
ambition, and a competitive nature) that helped me recover from this catastrophic illness and its repercussions. 

Even (and especially!) as an amputee, I love to motivate those folks who
 would normally stay on the couch to get to the gym, go for a jog, or pick up some weights. 
Because all excuses fade away when I say, "If I can do it, you can do it!"

I’ve always seen myself as a runner and an athlete. I may not run much anymore, but I am
more athletic than ever.As an amputee, ‘I’ve cycled,swum, weight trained,
downhill skii’d, paddle boarded, danced, and rock climb. As an amputee athlete,
there is nothing I can't do!