Kathey's Story: Survival is a Must!
What makes you a Beautiful Disaster?
I’m 48 and have survived every disaster thrown my way. Survival is a must!
Why do you identify with the Beautiful Disaster Brand?
I understand the different struggles because I’ve survived most of them.
Tell us your Beautiful Disaster story:
I’m 48, and a little over three years ago, I had surgery on my colon. I had been sick for about 15 years due to stomach issues. The surgery went wrong, and I started bleeding internally. I had to have emergency surgery to save my life and woke up with a colostomy bag.
Within about 10 months, I went from having a colostomy bag, to an ileostomy bag, to no bag at all—just a huge scar on my belly. There went my dreams of being a bikini model! That was a pretty rough year. After finally having my last surgery to put everything back on the inside, I came home, and three days later, my dad passed away. Twelve days after that, my ex-fiancé died.
My ex was my best friend for almost seven years, the greatest relationship I’ve ever had, except he continued to lie about his drug addiction. So, I lost two of my best friends within two weeks of my last surgery.
I am a proud single mom of three kids. I have raised them all by myself without any help from family or anyone else. I survived a mentally unstable relationship, meaning I was in a healthy relationship until, out of nowhere, he had an “episode.” I wasn’t even aware of any mental health issues, but it wouldn’t have changed anything except how I handled the situation. My daughter is 13, and it wasn’t until last year that he finally got his mind right again.
I survived a head-on collision with a tree over 20 years ago. I received over 500 stitches to my face, but I walked away. I always knew I had a hard head, and now I have a scar to prove it.
I’ve survived a physically, mentally, and emotionally painful marriage. I’ve survived the relationship of having an opinionated, toxic mother—who lives right across the street from me. My kids suffer, and it’s still sometimes a struggle.
I’ve also survived a gang rape.
Today, I’m buying my own house and car, and I’ve been at the same job for 11 years. I’m not the best mom, but I try every day. I do all of this by myself and with the help of the Man upstairs.
What happened for you to turn it around?
I had kids. Survival is a must. Without me, there is no one.
Name three things you’ve done to move closer to happiness:
1. Take responsibility for my own happiness.
2. Be accountable for myself and my actions.
3. Stay positive.
What is your favorite Beautiful Disaster collection, past or present, and why?
I love them all because I can relate.