(Scroll down for info on Kristin’s exciting School Programs!)
#1 New Release & Top 5 Best Seller!
This book will transform your idea of what is possible for people who encounter challenges, whether it is chronic stress or a devastating life event, and will catapult your motivation to set extraordinary expectations for your own life.
Reality TV star, YouTube sensation, Teacher of Year.
Have you ever dreamed of having one of these titles next to your name?
Maybe you dream of climbing Mt. Everest or becoming a successful CEO of a national organization. Now, would you consider any of this if you were… blind?
“Thriving Blind” showcases the stories of individuals who have achieved success and fulfillment in their lives despite living with blindness or visual impairment. The key message of the book is to inspire and empower both people with visual impairments and those without to recognize the potential for achievement and happiness in the face of adversity.
Through the stories of these real-life individuals, the book aims to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about blindness, highlight the importance of resilience, determination, and adaptability, and encourage readers to pursue their goals and dreams, regardless of the obstacles they may face. It emphasizes that with the right mindset, support, and determination, anyone can overcome challenges and lead a thriving and fulfilling life, even in the absence of sight.
Ultimately, “Thriving Blind” is a celebration of human potential and the triumph of the human spirit.
The key message of “What I Can Be Is Up To Me” by Kristin Smedley is to inspire young readers and promote inclusivity, diversity, and the idea that people with visual impairments can achieve their dreams and have fulfilling lives just like anyone else. This book uses rhythmic, action-packed text and engaging illustrations to introduce children to real-life individuals who have overcome challenges related to blindness or low vision to pursue interesting and exciting careers.
Throughout the book, readers are encouraged to imagine themselves in various roles and professions, such as mountain climbing or singing. The book cleverly withholds the information that the individuals featured in the book are blind or have low vision until the end, demonstrating that people with visual impairments are fully capable of pursuing their passions and achieving their goals.
Moreover, the book’s availability in a print + braille version ensures that it can be enjoyed by readers with and without vision, promoting accessibility and inclusion. Overall, the book’s key message is about breaking stereotypes, celebrating diversity, and emphasizing that what one can achieve is not limited by their physical abilities but rather determined by their dreams, determination, and resilience.
Of all the programs that Kristin does, the school visits, whether in person or virtual, are her most favorite! She planned her whole life to be a teacher and impact thousands of children. Kristin was having the time of her life in the classroom when she suddenly had to walk away from her dream to instead teach her two blind sons how to navigate a world they could not see. Michael graduated Penn State University Summa Cum Lude and is working full time for DIsney! Mitchell is a college junior! BOTH are having more success than she ever imagined (she has been to Nashville to attend her oldest son’s album release party and to Colorado to see her younger son compete at the Olympic Training Center!) Kristin enjoys sharing their journey and their many fun stories as well as those featured in her books Thriving Blind and What I Can Be Is Up To Me with students of all ages. DOWNLOAD THE FULL PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Kristin Smedley School Visits
Every school visit, in person or virtual, includes options for the school or individual students to purchase Thriving Blind at a discounted price. At in person events Kristin will include time to sign the books. If virtual events are planned enough in advance, Kristin will sign the books before they are shipped.