inspiration friday :)

 #bebrave #nevergiveup #IDEOnista

giving up is simply not an option :)

Where to begin? Having just returned from an amazing trip to Gig Harbor, WA for the Race for a Soldier 1/2 Marathon, it's hard to put into words what this past week/weekend meant to me! Not only was I reunited with the wonderful Hanger Clinic staff and fellow IDEO buddies, but I was fortunate enough to meet new patients and their families as well as be a part of the Race for the Soldier event with the military community.

When I think back to the person I was two years ago, I see a girl who had flown half-way across the country to the Hanger Clinic having been through 4 surgeries and countless therapies, not yet willing to take "the pain management" route so many doctors and specialists handed to her. To her, this would mean giving up & that was simply not an option. Never thinking that a soccer injury would change her life forever, but not yet knowing the depths of her determination and the extent of her will, she prayed the IDEO would help her. She never let herself think about how hard these times had been or what she would do if it didn't work out because she knew if she did, the weight would be too heavy to carry. Fast forward two years from the day she hobbled into the clinic to receive the IDEO, she returns to run a half-marathon. How does this happen? 3 words: Faith, Hope, and Love. Sounds cliché but honestly, it's true and I'll tell you why.

Faith: I always knew this was not how God was going to let my story end. Never lose your faith or your smile. Life may not turn out how you want it to, but if you stay positive and keep your faith, God will see you through and maybe give you an IDEO (•‿•)

Hope: He who has hope, has everything. Never, ever lose your hope. No matter how many people tell you to stop believing.

Love: Without the love of family, friends, coworkers, I would be not be where I am today. However, it is Ryan Blanck's passion to make a difference in the world and his love of helping people with the IDEO that has been most life-changing.

I am SO thankful for how the IDEO has changed my life. It's truly incredible, which is why I think I felt so emotional about this whole experience! I can't tell you how many people told me I would never run again and then to have that given back to me and run a half-marathon --- it's the best gift I've ever been given. There will never be enough "thank you's" that I can give to Ryan Blanck for what he has done for my life.

Me & the amazing Ryan Blanck

Lastly, I just want to say I was deeply moved by seeing all the patients who received their IDEOs while I was there last week. It's truly remarkable to see how much the IDEO program has grown since I was last there. From young to old, I loved talking with everyone and hearing their stories and passing on my "IDEO wisdom." If I could just hangout there all day, everyday I would! So much fun.


Hanger Clinic team @ Race for a Soldier

So with all that said, let's talk about outfits :)

As you may know, I am a firm believer that fall and winter are the absolute best times of the year for IDEOnista outfits! Long oversized sweaters and dresses with tights / leggings / skinny jeans are a perfect look for work, parties, or just hanging out! There are so many options! Check out a few outfits below! One of my favorite finds this year is a boot sock that feels like a regular sock at the bottom and at the top has a cute little design. See first picture to the left. I've wrapped the material over the top of the knee clasp - so cute! These are made by Nine West -- check 'em out here: Boot cuff - Nine West. The reason these are so great is because the only fabric part of the sock is at the cuff so it doesn't bother your skin or take up too much room in the IDEO! (& they come in several colors!).

 

Friends, as you go on your way this week, remember that though it can be difficult to look back at the hard times that you've been through, it is in these moments that you see who you are and who you have become. Without struggle, there is no strength. #nevergiveup

#beYou. #beFABULOUS. #IDEOnista.

IDEOnista Spotlight: Liz

Today's post is about a very special IDEOnista named Liz. Though young in years, she is wise at heart and it was a privilege to interview her. ♥ I am so happy to share with you a little more about this amazing girl as well as share her insight and advice. We all know high school can be a hard time, especially when you have something that makes you feel different, but Liz has come to see that being confident in who you are and recognizing your uniqueness is what makes you, YOU. Read on to learn more about this awesome girl!

 
Time in IDEO? Almost 4 months (even though it feels much longer!)

Number of IDEOs: 2; One for each leg

Clothing style: Comfortable - shorts, leggings, and my favorite of all, workout pants!

IDEOnista Style: I like to make my outfits work based on how they feel. If the IDEO feels better under my pants or over, it just depends. I try not to base my outfit on the IDEO devices because it shouldn't matter if I'm wearing them or not. I'm still the same person with or without them on - I don't need to hide anything from anyone. (That's the spirit!)

Favorite Shoe Brand: I haven't tried too many pairs of shoes with the IDEO. With how I was born and all of the surgeries I've had, my feet are naturally very wide by themselves. The extra width on the IDEO makes finding shoes a bit more difficult, but not impossible. My favorite pair of shoes would have to be my Men's Nike Air Monarch's. They are extremely comfortable and black matches just about everything. (Once you go black, you never go back. I love my black shoes too!) :)

Advice for other IDEOnista's: The best advice I could give to anyone looking into this or who has the device is not to let other people's opinions bother you. When I first got my IDEOs in Gig Harbor, I was confident as can be, but once I got home I was nervous because no one else was like me. No one had even heard of the devices, so it made me feel very insecure until I realized that the quality of life is much more important than anyone's opinion of you. (SO TRUE.)

What makes you feel confident in the IDEO: The support pages on Facebook help a lot because you see people going through the same life changing experiences as you are and it's amazing to see everyone's unique journey with their IDEO. In addition to the Facebook pages, I think one of the things that gives me the most confidence is the fact that I can do things I couldn't do before -- and I can do certain things better than I ever could before I received the IDEOs.

Proudest Moment in IDEO so far: My best memory in the IDEO so far would be just running itself. I used to not be able to run without pain and now with the IDEO & help of Ryan & Jared, I can run without pain. Of course with running there is still a lot that I need to do in order to run longer distances, but it's just an amazing feeling to be able to run at a speed I have never been able to reach before without any pain. (That's so amazing!)

Special Goals for 2015: I hope to continue to train my body to get stronger throughout the year and carry that into the new year. I also hope that I can help anyone who is unsure about getting the IDEO device or anyone who has them and is feeling stuck or insecure. I just want everyone to be able to experience this amazing feeling. ♥

IDEO Life Changes: The IDEO has changed my life in many ways. It has given me opportunities I never thought I would have. I am able to go to amusement parks without renting a wheelchair or needing to sit down constantly. It's made my life so much more enjoyable. I can never thank Ryan enough. (IDEO + Ryan = life changing)

Favorite Quote: "Waking up to who you are requires letting go of who you imagined yourself to be." - Alan Watts

What Liz wants you to know: Clubfoot has caused me to become very depressed (along with the ups and downs of high school) and embarrassed to be myself. As the years have passed and the IDEO has come into my life, I've realized that the past is something to progress from. Everyday you wakeup is a new chance to do better and be better.

What an amazing attitude. As Liz reminds us, "Everyday you wakeup is a new chance to do better and be better." I have no doubt Liz will continue to achieve great things and inspire many people along the way! She is proof that believing in yourself and having confidence in who you are as a person is the first step in moving forward to become the person you were always meant to be.  Thanks Liz, you rock!

#IDEOnista #beYOU #beAMAZING

Stay Positive. Beat the Odds.

Hi Everyone! Only 18 more days until the Gig Harbor Race for a Solder Half-Marathon! So excited -- I've been waiting for this day for so long! It's going to be an incredible feeling to run a half-marathon in the same city where I hobbled in on crutches two years ago. So crazy to think how far I have come in such a short time. I'm forever grateful for how this device has changed my life and the people who helped to make it possible.

 

As I approach my two year anniversary in the IDEO this fall, I am reminded that though this injury changed a lot of things, it didn't change my spirit. #thankyoujesus. If I've learned one thing over the last four + years, it's that though life will throw you lemons, you must learn to make your own pink lemonade and find the good in what remains. Never forget that self confidence is the best outfit. Rock it, own it & be your own kind of beautiful.

 

 

"Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do." ♥

Smile. It's Friday :)

Happy Friday! Today's inspiration comes from IDEOnista Lisa!

For years, pain held her back as she wasn't able to push herself or work hard in her fitness goals. In Lisa's words, "It was like I was a ball of energy trapped in a body that just wasn't able to keep up with it." Now with the help of the IDEO, Lisa is doing more than she EVER imagined possible! She's been trying to master the pull-up forever (which is no easy task!) and since receiving the IDEO, she's been able to get not only one but two pull-ups -- take a look at the video below! While the IDEO has not physically made her upper body stronger, it has brought back the spark in her life that she needed. Lisa continues to push her limits and find new things to accomplish! YOU GO GIRL.

So make today amazing and go for your dreams. As Lisa shows, anything is possible with hard work and a positive attitude (& of course an IDEO) :)

Note: If video doesn't play on your mobile device, try it on your computer :)

#beYOU #beAMAZING #IDEOnista

IDEOnista Spotlight: Lucy

Hi Everyone! Today, I have a very special post about an amazing IDEOnista friend of mine named Lucy. Not only will she wow you with her insightful perspective, positive attitude, and gracious spirit, but her words will remind you that sometimes the greatest gift is a transformation within.

How long have you had the IDEO? 10 months

How do you pair the IDEO with your outfits? I tend to wear skirts more now, with black leggings and socks in the winter, without leggings in the summer (I've found Australian Rules Football (AFL) socks work best - but not sure if they're sold outside Australia!). (Not sure either, but I'm going to have to check these out!) If I'm wearing pants, I skip the long socks and put a compression sleeve on over the knee clasp at the top. I wear the IDEOs on the outside of my skinny jeans and on the inside of baggy ones. It all depends, but there is always a way to make it work! (yes!!) When I perform in an orchestra, I wear a full-length gown and you would never know I had a pair of IDEOs underneath, except that I walk and stand so much better. (how cool is that?!) Because I have two IDEOs, I've often had people comment on my "cool boots", before explaining that they're not just a fashion statement, which just goes to show how seamlessly they can fit into an outfit. (LOVE THIS.)

Favorite shoe brand to wear with the IDEO: I wear my ASICS when I am exercising. At work, I've found Ecco shoes are best, but success can vary a lot from shoe to shoe, so I'm still trying new brands whenever I can. (I definitely want to try Ecco, too!)

Advice for other IDEOnista's: In my experience, things feel different than they look and it's the way things feel that is really the transformative part. I wondered before I got the IDEOs whether it might be difficult to wear them in terms of looks, but it hasn't even crossed my mind. Not being in pain is so transformative that it isn't even a decision. The way you feel is so much more important in life and as Beth shows on this blog - there is always a way to work the IDEO into any outfit! (That's right, there is always a way!)

What makes you feel confident in the IDEO? I feel stronger when I walk now. I stand upright and don't limp. I'm building strength in my legs that I've never had before in my life. This newfound strength has had a positive effect on my confidence in a way that I never anticipated. There is really interesting research into embodied cognition in the field of Psychology - the effect our body has on our mind - that I bet could offer some insight as to why changing your body's experience, with a set of IDEOs, also changes your mind. (Such a great insight...)

What is your proudest moment in the IDEO so far? Not sure whether it's managing to get them to look hip with a pair of jeans for the first time (haha YES!), finally beginning to walk up stairs fluently or doing my first real squat (the last two have really fed off each other - my muscles were so weak before I got the IDEOs!). A couple weeks ago, I participated in a 14km fun run  (for those who don't know (aka me), this is 8.7 miles!). This was the BEST. I wasn't entirely ready to run the whole 14km, I ran some, walked some, but most of all, I wasn't in pain. I could do it! (that's HUGE!)

City2Surf 14km - I DID IT!

Any special goals for 2015? My main goal this year was to make it to the end of the 14km City2Surf fun run in Sydney. I achieved this goal and although it's a huge achievement, it's just the beginning... :) (so proud! you go girl!)

How has the IDEO changed your life? It's the day-to-day stuff I notice the most. I genuinely couldn't wait to do my first fun run last week, but that's all icing. It's the everyday walking and standing and living not in pain that's really extraordinary. Like being able to perform music standing up without half of my attention being on pain and balancing. The IDEOs definitely add elegance to the way I walk, too. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted. And while as with anything, there is hard work and challenges along the way, most days have a lightness that wasn't there before. (this makes my heart happy!)

Favorite Quote: "Between stimulus and response there is space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." - Viktor E. Frankl

What is the one thing you wish people knew about you? I practice mindfulness most days. I think this coupled with a set of IDEOs has really put me in a position where I am able to live each day, unlike ever before. (CARPE DIEM!)

Lucy's final words: Gratitude, gratitude, gratitude. Without the wonderful support, encouragement, and patience of people in my life and the amazing team in Gig Harbor, none of this would have been possible. (Amen sister. Amen.)

Thank you, Lucy for reminding us that receiving the IDEO is more than being given a device; it's a journey. A journey of body, mind and spirit and a realization of what it means to live life to the fullest.

#beYOU #beAMAZING #IDEOnista

just some reminders that it's awesome to have an IDEO.

Most of us can say we spent weeks, months, or even years wondering if there was some type of technology or possibility out there to help with our injury & pain.... lo and behold, the IDEO! Today's post is about reminding you just how lucky we are to have it. There are many benefits of the IDEO, but here are 5 of my favorite!

1. You get to run, hike, and bike again! 

Giving people back their ability to be active is possibly one of the greatest benefits of the IDEO. Every time I enter a race, I look down at my device and am reminded of what a gift it truly is. #nolongeronthesidelines

2. You feel more confident than EVER that your life will not continue on in pain.

Before the IDEO, I had to face the fact that I may have to live in chronic pain. Nearly two years into the IDEO, I feel confident that pain does not control my life anymore. #byebyepainpills

3. You believe in the power of your dreams. #ICANDOTHIS!

During the hardest times with my injury, I remember thinking that I didn't know if I could really set goals for my life anymore. (Pain will do that to you!) Now with the IDEO, I almost have to curb my enthusiasm! I've been able to move cities, hike mountains, go on dates again, run adventure races, and train for a half-marathon (only six weeks away now!)! Life is back and dreams are important :) #HOLLA

4. You have the ability to make an impact on others.

You have the power to show people what it means to never give up. There have been times in races where someone will come up behind me and say, "You are an inspiration. Thank you." Recognize the power you have to make a difference in the world. When people see you giving your best and smiling despite the odds, they begin to see things differently in themselves too. #makeadifference

5. You embrace life with everything it has to offer.

If I could sum up how the IDEO has changed my life in one word it would be: LIFE-GIVING. (okay, two words haha!). The dictionary defines the word 'life-giving' as: revitalizing life & that's exactly what the IDEO has done for me! The IDEO gave me back my life and I haven't stopped embracing it since. #theCATALYST

BONUS: The IDEO can hold your coffee for you! #itsthelittlethings :)

be YOU. be AMAZING. IDEOnista.

How to Answer Questions.

All of us at one time or another have been asked the question, "What happened to your leg?". Whether you're new to the IDEO or not, it's likely you've had some type of brace or device for an extended period of time and have been answering this question for quite awhile. Let's face it, people are curious. :) The IDEO doesn't fit the image of a regular brace, yet it's not a full prosthetic either, which leads people to believe that whatever is on your leg must be temporary and therefore, it's okay to ask. Here are a few questions I've been asked in the past week alone: "Is that for shin splints?" "Did you sprain your ankle?" "Oh, I have one of those." "Did you kick him back?" "Those are all the craze these days." "How did you hurt yourself?" "Were you wearing that last week?" "How much longer do you have to wear that?" "Ouch, what happened?" "Is that for your ankle?" "Are you in the military?" "What is that for?"

Having worn some type of brace/cast for a few years and now the IDEO for nearly two years, it's fair to say I probably answer these types of questions at least three times a day. I used to think I had to explain my story to everyone who asked, but recently I've come to the conclusion that I don't have to give a complete explanation to every single person, especially people I will never see again (aka random people in the elevator, grocery store, restaurants, clothing stores). It's taken me awhile to come to this realization that it's okay not to share all the details on my injury. Just because someone asks you, doesn't mean you have to give out your full story. It's okay to say: "It's a permanent injury..." and then just move on with your business (of course, keep smiling!).

On the flip fide, I'm more than happy to share my story with people I have relationships with or people who I can tell genuinely care. You can spot the difference between the people who ask because they are curious or ask because they genuinely care and want to know more about you. It's your body and your story, not anyone else's and because you will likely be answering these questions for a long time to come, it's important to have a game plan so that you don't feel emotionally invested every time someone asks you.

Looking back, when I first got injured, I didn't mind one bit random people asking me what happened, because to me the injury was temporary... but as time passed and my injury became more permanent, my mindset shifted to this is who I am now. I think once you get to the place where you accept that you have a permanent injury, you can move forward knowing that this a part of who you are and with that acceptance comes peace of mind and wisdom on how to respond.

#beYOU. #beAMAZING. #IDEOnista

the IDEO goes to a wedding :)

This past weekend I attended the wedding of my friends Jaclyn & Mason and it was such a beautiful event! Below you'll see a couple IDEOnista outfits from the parties. I chose to pack my black Brooks Glycerin's and that was a great decision! I felt super in them and they worked seamlessly with both my dresses. Proof that tennis shoes don't just have to be for running! I would also like to point out that I ran 3 miles before the wedding... :) #runhappy

 

I unexpectedly received so many compliments on my outfits and more importantly, people were impressed with my dancing skills. haha #IDEOdancer But in all seriousness, I truly felt beautiful and so happy to be able to be out there pain free! I even had women coming up to me saying that I inspired them to want to wear tennis shoes with their dresses! They didn't know it could look as cute as it did!

I think one of the most memorable parts of the weekend was when a lady approached me at the wedding and said, "You know, I wasn't going to dance tonight but when I saw you out there, I thought to myself, if she can do it, I can too!" That made my day. Friends, you never know how being strong for others can make a difference. When you smile after all you've been through and you choose to see the beauty in yourself, people begin to see the beauty in them too. Recognize the power you have to show others that despite what life throws at you, you can find the silver lining. Choose to be confident in who you are and always wear your smile. That is beautiful.

I think Taylor Swift sums it up perfectly, "If you're lucky enough to be different, never change."

{ Be-YOU-tiful }

Hope everyone had a great Fourth of July weekend with family and friends. Today is a short post but a happy one at that :)

 

I want you to see below that the IDEO can easily be a part of your summer outfits. You can pair bright colored compression socks (see my new blue one!!) or you can stick with your black sock and break out the bright colors up top. The IDEO doesn't have to hold you back in your outfits... In fact, you can look pretty cute with it!

 

So today, choose to wear something bright and be your own kind of beautiful :)

 

To be beautiful is to be YOU. #IDEOnista