PEP Talks: People Empowering People
Kasey Crawford Kellem is a school counselor, author, yoga instructor, motivational speaker, former business owner and special ed teacher, and now, podcaster. She is a beacon of resiliency as she continues through her journey dodging hurdles but still dancing all along the way! The creator and author of Mind Over Matter Books, Kellem’s first five books, “Believe,” “Love,” “Laugh,” “Relax,” and “Dream” teach children the resiliency tools necessary to overcome obstacles. After her husband died from cancer, Kellem wrote, “Bella-Eve the Bounce-Back Dog” a book she has shared with thousands of children helping them cope with their challenges in life. Her adult memoir, “Don’t Stop Believing: Our Journey with Cancer” was written to help encourage others coping with a terminally ill family member or widowhood believe they can overcome the grief. She has spent her thirty-plus year career in education helping others overcome their hardships so they can live longer, happier quality lives.
PEP Talks: People Empowering People
Maria Boulas: Making opportunity out of difficulty
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Kasey Kellem and Greta Fechter
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Season 1
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Episode 16
Maria is a 14-year-old teenager who was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer four years ago when she was in 4th grade. Maria has undergone three surgeries and three isolated radioactive iodine treatments. Despite her cancer and ongoing treatments she continues to excel academically and stay involved in the speech and debate program.
We Learned from Maria:
*Some cancers are very treatable.
*Cancer is not as bad or as scary as it may seem.
*Cancer doesn’t have to rob you of your childhood or dreams.
*You can still make opportunities to help others at a time when you are in need.