Inspiring people to keep fighting

By Melissa Piche Times Contributor

When Kiesha Mastrodimos was 17 years old, her life as she knew it changed in the blink of an eye. 

As her and a friend were driving home in the middle of the night, a moose landed on her car, paralyzing her instantly. In that moment she had to make a choice – to fight or to give in to the debilitating situation that she was in. Her story is one of determination and taking life by storm – her story is here to inspire people to live each day like it was your last. 

“Obviously it’s taken me years and years to get to this point and that’s been like the acceptance with never being able to walk again,” said Mastrodimos said. “Coming to terms with (how) this is going to be my everyday life and that it’s going to be different and being ok with that.”

The now 27-year-old illustrator, who took part in the Local Author Showcase at the Strathmore Municipal Library on May 4, created a colouring book Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight. Strathmore’s Hope Bridges Society also hosted a drawing class with Mastrodimos on April 25 at the Hope Community Covenant Church.

“When I released the very first one, that was eight years (after) my accident, and I had posted it on my Facebook because that is where my biggest support was,” she recalled. “I sold 100 in the first hour.” 

Her colouring books can be purchased by messaging her through her social media, Facebook and Instagram where she can mail them anywhere.

As part of her healing journey, Mastrodimos said having a good foundation of people who support you is key. 

“(I) also surround myself with a good support system with people that are inclusive, compassionate, understanding and all of that,” she said. “Also having those people I can talk to and provide me with that extra emotional and mental support.”

Mastrodimos, who moved to Calgary three years ago from Grand Prairie, is eager to connect with young students and tell her story as a motivational speaker, like she used to do.

“Back home I used to do speeches all the time, to schools and everything,” said Mastrodimos. “Here I need to build my community because I don’t know anybody so I would love to be doing more, but I need to find the right avenue and the right institutions.

“It wasn’t something that I chose, I just had to – if I didn’t, I don’t know where I’d be. I’ve always had (a) positive attitude and I think that comes with (my) support system, my family, people on social media –everywhere I’ve had that full support system.”

Mastrodimos is filled with passion and dreams and hopes to one day write a book. According to her, it would be a challenge, but one she is willing and able to take on. She is currently enrolled in university where she is six courses away from getting her bachelor’s degree in psychology – one more thing she can add to her growing list of accomplishments. 

Kiesha is actively looking for speaking engagements where she can reach her target audiences. She can be reached via email (kiesha_xoxo@hotmail.com).  

“You cannot choose the hand that you’re dealt, but you can choose how you play the cards,” she said. “Your attitude, your everything creates your reality.”