EMILY HESPELER
A bit about me....
This is my story of self-acceptance and growth that came from becoming a burn survivor after an accident at 23 years old. After getting released from the hospital, 2 and 1/2 months after my accident in December 2020, there was this intangible sense there were now two Emily's.
There was the Emily before my accident and the Emily after my accident. Perhaps some of you relate to having a life changing event and feeling like your life was separated into parts.
For me, I didn't know how to connect the two Emily's, who I was in those moments, or who I was going to become. During this period, I often felt like my soul was floating outside my physical body when I was interacting with friends or family. I knew I needed something to help me get through these feelings.
Through repeating a mantra I learned from my old roommate things started to shift for me. Every day, starting in February 2020, I would ask myself "who's a baddie" and I would repeat back, "I'm a baddie."
With time and through training for my first marathon, I became connected to myself again and realized my potential was infinite.
Presently, I still ask myself the same question, "who's a baddie" before I start my day. Except now, most days, I know I am.
My Daily Mantra...
RESILIENCE
GREATNESS
LOVE
I'm greatness, I'm love, I'm powerful, I have a purpose, I'm connected to everyone and they are connected to me, we are connected to this earth. I cannot be stopped, and we cannot be stopped. I am, we are, I am, we are."
~Emily Hespeler,
with inspiration from 070 Shake
Burn Survivor Meetup Group!
I currently host a free adult burn survivor meet up group as a way to to heal and connect with others who understand this journey.
What to expect?
A welcoming, non-judgmental, fun, and healing environment with activities tailored to all abilities!
What are the benefits?
Keeping your body moving supports recovery, boosts self-esteem and builds confidence through connection!
"Recreation helped me connect with my body after my accident and see infinite potential for myself at at a time when I didn't know who I was or where I was going."
"At moments I couldn't control I would feel these sensations. My head would start to buzz, my throat tightend, my eyes glazed over and it was like I was looking at myself from above."
