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resilience

Woman with her daughter and a happy little girl.
Uplifting News

Mom Doesn't Know Why Daughter Gets 40,000 Seizures - So She Finds a Treatment Herself

Epilepsy affects an estimated 1.2% of people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And yet, despite how common it is, the origin is often shrouded in mystery.In fact, in about half of the people with epilepsy, the condition has no identifiable cause, including for Savannah Salazar. That is until her mother refused to give up and finally found the answers the doctors couldn't.

Little boy making and selling rolls on the streets in Delhi.
Stories

Mom Leaves Kids After Husband's Death - So Her 10-Year-Old Son Takes Charge

While other kids his age are riding bikes, playing video games, and hanging out with friends, Jaspreet Singh is bearing the weight of the world on his small shoulders. At just 10 years old, Jaspreet's life literally changed overnight. And now? The little boy is inspiring millions with his courage and strength and teaching us all a valuable lesson in the power of perseverance and resilience.

little girl with two young boys, police officer pins a badge on a young cop and a young woman with a police officer (inset)
Uplifting News

9-Year-Old Has to Steal Food to Feed Her Brothers - But One Police Officer Changes Her Life

In the bustling streets of Kansas City, a tale of resilience and unwavering kindness unfolds, touching hearts across the nation.Meet Klynn Scales, a young girl whose childhood was marred by adversity and hardship. At just nine years old, she found herself thrust into the role of caretaker for her two younger brothers, stealing food from 7-Eleven to feed them and navigating a tumultuous home life overshadowed by neglect and her mother's battle with addiction.

Womans First Job Was to Scrub Toilets at McDonalds - Now, She Owns 12 Restaurants
Entrepreneurs

Womans First Job Was to Scrub Toilets at McDonalds - Now, She Owns 12 Restaurants

Tanya Hill-Holliday is a familiar name in the McDonald's franchise. But she wasn't always. "I was told I wasn't supposed to be here, I was called every name BUT my name," she told CBS News.Luckily, she didn't listen. Now, she's the proud owner of a dozen McDonald's restaurants in Pennsylvania and her story of perseverance is inspiring others to dream big. From Scrubbing Toilets to Making History as Philly’s First Black Woman to Own a McDonald’sTanya Hill-Holliday landed her first job working as a part-time crew member at McDonald's while attending Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. She was cleaning toilets, scrubbing baseboards, and wiping tables. It was far from glamorous. But that didn't matter, she enjoyed it anyway. "I always enjoyed what I was doing, as difficult as it was to be told, 'You got to clean a table, you got to clean the toilets, you got to scrub the baseboards." "'You got to do...' I did it."Tanya Hill-Holliday via CBS PhiladelphiaUpon graduating from university with a degree in management, she immediately jumped into the McDonald's management trainee program. She's never looked back. From there, she crawled her way up the corporate ladder, from crew member to supervisor to assistant manager to vice president. Despite being constantly told she didn't belong, she ignored the haters, put her head down, and just kept on working. It paid off.She's Lovin' It!Forty-four years and 13 positions later, Holliday is now the proud owner of a dozen restaurants. Using her stock options, she bought her very first franchise in 2005. Today, it's worth over $1.5 million. Not only was it her first restaurant, it was a first in the Philly history books. She is recognized as the very first African American woman to own and operate a McDonald’s in the “City of Brotherly Love.” Since then, she's purchased 11 more restaurants. Currently, she has more than 600 employees, some of whom have been with her from day one. She considers them all family.And now, she's giving back. She serves as the National Black McDonald’s Operators Association Chair and CEO of 168 entities across the U.S. According to its website, the NBMOA is "the largest organization of established African American entrepreneurs in the world."As the Chair and CEO, Holliday is committed to ensuring that "McDonald’s fully engages the African American community in an authentic, respectful, and positive manner." She plans to implement new and innovative programming to enrich the members and benefit the communities they serve. Never Give up on Your DreamsHolliday hopes her journey will inspire young people just starting out on theirs. "When you think you've hit a brick wall, go over the wall, go around the wall — if you gotta go under the wall — do what you have to do but just don't let roadblocks stop you. Keep persistent. Be strong."Tanya Hill-HollidayA little praying doesn't hurt either."Stay motivated, stay encouraged, stay prayed up. I stay prayed up all the time," Holliday added.With sheer perseverance and tenacity, Holliday proved her critics wrong. Not only that, but she went all the way, rising to the top AND making history. Not bad for a woman who started by scrubbing toilets.Her story is an inspiration to all of us. A trailblazer and a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, she proves that determination, resilience, and the refusal to give up can lead to achieving even our wildest dreams. More from Goalcast:Freezing Homeless Man Goes to a Closed McDonald’s – Manager Defies All Rules and Does ThisLittle Girl Starts Screaming at McDonald’s – Mom Burst into Tears After Seeing One Employee’s ActionsWoman Takes Brother With Autism to McDonald’s – One Employee’s Behavior Towards Him Goes Viral

Moms Video About How She Deals With Her Hard Child Goes Viral - For All the Right Reasons
Uplifting News

Moms Video About How She Deals With Her Hard Child Goes Viral - For All the Right Reasons

It's no secret social media can make us feel bad about ourselves sometimes — we're endlessly scrolling through people sharing their perfect lives or perfect bodies and it can seem so much better than what we've got.Social media envy is real, but TikToker Hannah Flint is one of the momfluencers using her powers to keep it real.How One Mom Is Blocking out the HatersOn her page (@hannahflint_), the mother of 4 talks about taboo subjects like postpartum or normalizing not breastfeeding your baby. While everyone may not agree with her, Flint willingly puts herself in the line of fire. Sharing her hot takes, she's almost taunting the mommy-shamers to come out of the woodwork.But it seems Flint isn't sharing her opinions for the haters — she's here to make the women just like her, feel less alone.And it's safe to say, it's working.Hannah Flint/TikTokIn short, this is one mom that doesn't shy away from the hard-to-discuss topics — including what it's really like to parent the "hard child.""This is our 'hard child.' Our 'doesn't listen' child. Our 'do it myself' child..."Hannah Flint, TikTokIn Flint's now-viral TikTok, the tough-love mama shares how parenting the "hard child" can feel impossible — and why she even bothers putting up with it! Her answer may just surprise you.Watch Hannah Flint's Video:The video opens on a little girl in an apron with her blonde hair pulled back in a loose ponytail. When she turns to the camera, she's crying and it's clear she's just been throwing a tantrum. “The Hard Ones Are the Ones Who Will Change the World”In this heartwarming series of clips, Flint expertly cuts together an all-encompassing sample of the highs and lows that come with parenting the hard child. Her message is clear: there is no rose without a thorn."This is our 'hard child'...she is also our resilient child. fearless child. independent child. try anything child. The one who makes us laugh the most. And speaks her mind. So just in case you need a reminder on those hard days...the hard ones are the ones who will change the world."Hannah Flint, TikTokIn being able to step back in those difficult moments, Flint was able to see her daughter for the whole of who she is.While this realization may not seem groundbreaking on the surface, Flint's comment section tells a different story.“Hard Children” Everywhere Finally Felt SeenIn being unafraid to call 'a spade a spade,' Flint was able to start a conversation about how being difficult can be a curse and a blessing. "Thank you from all the 'hard' children who are now adults ❤️" @smithrachel21 wrote."I was the hard child. I’m outspoken passionate, and empathetic. My daughter is just like me. It’s hard, but I know she’ll do great things," @ms.patrick31 commented.You Have to Take the Good With the BadIf there's one thing Flint wants to remind us is that as a kid finding your sea legs (so to speak) is challenge.Yes, the child who doesn't listen may be more than you can handle on the days where you're just trying to get your grocery shopping done. Those are probably the days where you're grateful for your "responsible" rule-follower child.But on the days when you need a laugh or a pick-me-up, those are the days thank your lucky stars for that "hard child." Because they're also the ones who take charge and take chances. They are the "fearless" child and they are the change makers we need — at least that's how Flint sees it.More from Goalcast:People Are Sharing Their One “Simple Rule” That Would “Fix” the World – And the Replies Are GoldenWoman Goes With High School Sweetheart on a Date – Finds Out He’d Been Working on a Secret for Months16-Year-Old Becomes Homeless After Parents Ask Her to Move Out – Years Later, a Shocking Scene Changes Everything

Single Moms Biggest Fear Is Regarding Her 14-Year-Old Son - So His Teacher Makes Her an Offer
Uplifting News

Single Moms Biggest Fear Is Regarding Her 14-Year-Old Son - So His Teacher Makes Her an Offer

In a world often filled with challenges, heartbreaks, and seemingly insurmountable odds, there shines a beacon of selflessness and love that has the power to warm the coldest of hearts. Meet Kerry Bremer, not just a special education teacher, but a guardian angel in human form.The Offer One Teacher Made to a Student’s MotherKerry's journey with Jake Manning, a vibrant 14-year-old with Down syndrome, began four years ago when she stepped into the role of his special education teacher. Describing Jake as "dynamic," Kerry sensed a deeper connection beyond the classroom and that she "fell in love with him instantly." As fate would have it, she learned that Jake's mother, Jean Manning, was battling terminal breast cancer that had cruelly metastasized into her brain.Fully aware of the impending challenges for Jake, Kerry initiated a courageous conversation with the single mother. "I could really be overstepping the boundaries here, but I just want to let you know that if you need a backup plan for Jake, my family and I are willing to offer guardianship," Kerry expressed to Jean. Tears welled up in Jean's eyes as relief washed over her, grateful for Kerry's unwavering offer. "She said, 'I'll sleep better tonight than I have in a very long time.'" Jean's deepest fear — what would happen to Jake after she passed — found a compassionate answer in Kerry's pledge.This remarkable story is a testament to the incredible power of human connection. Despite knowing the Mannings for just a few months, Kerry, along with her husband Dave and their children, made a life-altering decision. For them, opening their home to Jake was not just an act of kindness; it was a profound commitment grounded in love.How One Mother Orchestrated a Symphony of LoveOn November 13, tragedy struck as Jean Manning passed away. But amidst the sorrow, Kerry and her family fulfilled Jean's final wish — they welcomed Jake into their home. "I'm terribly sad that Jake doesn't have his mom to be with him for the rest of his life," Kerry shared with CNN. "But I'm very, very grateful that she trusted us to take him and be with him and share our home with him."Jean's courageous planning over the last three years facilitated Jake's transition to his new family. Despite the suddenness of her death, Jake, understandingly in his innocent wisdom, acknowledges that his mom is now in heaven with God and his aunts. In the Bremer household, Jake has found solace, affectionately calling Jean his "Queen Angel Mom."Kerry and Dave were officially named Jake's legal guardians in May, with the possibility of adoption on the horizon. A GoFundMe campaign to support Jake has garnered immense attention, nearing its $50,000 goal in just five days. But for Kerry, the true hero of this narrative is Jean Manning, a mother who, in the face of her own mortality, orchestrated a symphony of love and care for her son's future.In a world that often echoes with tales of hardship, Kerry and Jean's story radiates as a testament to the enduring power of love, compassion, and the indomitable human spirit.Through the lens of this family, we are reminded that even in life's most challenging moments, kindness can prevail, and bonds formed in selflessness can withstand the tests of time. The world needs more stories like this, stories that whisper hope, resilience, and the extraordinary impact of a single act of love.More from Goalcast:Woman Sits Next to Pregnant Stranger on Flight – Ends Up Adopting Her Newborn BabyWoman Has a Dream About the Same Baby for Months – Fights to Adopt Her Husband’s Dead Ex-wife’s SonTwo Sisters Reunited After 75 Years After Being Put Up for Adoption After World War II

How Tom Cruise Kept His Family Afloat When His Mother Finally Left His Abusive Father
Uplifting News

How Tom Cruise Kept His Family Afloat When His Mother Finally Left His Abusive Father

A-List actor Tom Cruise, 61, is known for many things. He's A Scientologist! He's an adrenaline junkie with a taste for death-defying stunts! He's the guy with his shoes on Oprah's couch!But where certain celebs are known for their traumatic childhoods and heroic origin stories, the controversial Cruise (born Thomas Cruise Mapother IV), keeps tight-lipped when it comes to his personal life and is lesser known for his humble beginnings. It may seem that at 61 years old, with a staggering $600 million net worth, things came easy for the Top Gun frontman, but the truth is Tom's early life was anything but easy.Growing Up in an Abusive HomeBefore he was one of the highest grossing box office stars of all time, Tom Cruise grew up in poverty in Syracuse, New York. Cruise is the third of mother Mary Lee Pfeiffer's four children. Growing up, Cruise along with his sisters Lee Ann Mapother DeVette, 64, Marian Mapother, 62, and Cass Mapother, 59, were tragically subjected to their father's abusive behavior. As a child Cruise did not have a stable upbringing. His family was constantly uprooted with Cruise attending 15 schools in 14 years. Cruise's biological father, Thomas Cruise Mapother III, was an electrical engineer. Mapother III, could never hold down a job and kept the family on the move in a restless search for work. At a young age, Cruise and his family relocated to Ottawa, Canada where Cruise lived until the 6th grade. Yet, everywhere Cruise went, his father's abuse continued, until one day, his mother Mary Lee decided she'd had enough.“He was a bully and a coward,” Tom Cruise said of the father who beat him. “He was the kind of person where, if something goes wrong, they kick you. It was a great lesson in my life —how he’d lull you in, make you feel safe and then, bang! For me, it was like, ‘There’s something wrong with this guy. Don’t trust him. Be careful around him.’ There’s that anxiety.”Tom Cruise, PARADEWhen mother Mary Lee realized her husband's abusive behavior would never stop, she took her four children and divorced him. Mary Lee returned to the United States with her children in tow, in search of a better life, and the young Cruise was determined to help.Supporting His Mother and Three SistersJeff Rayner / Coleman-RaynerWhen Tom Cruise's mother bravely divorced his father, she worked several jobs, day and night just to make ends meet and keep her family out of poverty. Sadly, when you have five mouths to feed, it's nearly impossible to achieve financially, without help. Thankfully, as a young teenager, Tom Cruise was just the kid for the job...literally. It should come as no surprise when his mother was struggling to tread water, Hollywood's resident stuntman jumped into action, to help his mother and three sisters stay afloat in anyway he could.“I’ve always had a work ethic. I’ve had paying jobs since I was about eight years old — cutting grass, raking leaves, paper routes, selling Easter cards and Christmas cards.”Tom Cruise, PLAYBOY (2012)Cruise helped with money from a paper route he picked up. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Cruise admitted he even massaged his mother’s sore feet for half an hour, after she came home from long days at work. Though Cruise's mother tragically passed away in February 2017, the bond between them is everlasting. Cruise is quick to praise his mother for always believing in his dreams of becoming an actor, no matter how far fetched it seemed to everyone else.All His Hard Work Paid off in Ways He Couldn’t ImagineTom Cruise may have a rocky past when it comes to his romantic relationships, but when it comes to his nuclear family, Cruise has always done his best to honor his relationship with his mother and sisters.After getting kicked off his high school football team, in his senior year, one teacher who saw potential in the young Tom Cruise, changed the course of his life with this one suggestion.The Glee Club teacher encouraged Cruise to audition for his high school's musical production of Guys and Dolls, and scored the leading role!"I can't describe the feeling that was there," Cruise's mother said when watching her son on opening night. "It was just an incredible experience to see what we felt was a lot of talent coming forth all of a sudden. It had been dormant for so many years — not thought of or talked about or discussed in any way," she said to Rolling Stone.After discovering his passion for acting, Cruise asked his mother and stepfather the most crucial question of all. He wanted their blessing to pursue an acting career for the next decade, and mother Mary Lee's response couldn't have been more perfect."We both wholeheartedly agreed,” she told Rolling Stone. “Because we both felt it was a God-given talent … So to make a long story short, we gave him our blessing — and the rest is history.”A Mother’s Love Makes All the DifferenceThroughout Tom Cruise's tumultuous journey, one constant source of strength and inspiration was the unwavering love and support of his mother, Mary Lee Pfeiffer. Her enduring love and dedication to her children provided the anchor they needed to weather life's storms. It was her love that fueled Tom's determination to overcome adversity and create a brighter future. Tom Cruise's unparalleled work ethic, instilled by his mother's values of resilience and hard work, became a driving force in his life. This work ethic not only propelled him to success in Hollywood but also served as a testament to the transformative power of maternal love and the unwavering belief in one's dreams, even in the face of the most challenging circumstances.More from Goalcast:Teflon Tom: Why Tom Cruise Remains Hollywood’s Top Gun – Despite His Controversial ReputationHow Nicole Kidman Changed After Her Divorce From Tom CruiseWhat Happened to Katie Holmes After Her Divorce From Tom Cruise?

Single Mom of 6 Has Struggled With Homelessness - So High School Students Plot Together and Come Up With a Plan
Uplifting News

Single Mom of 6 Has Struggled With Homelessness - So High School Students Plot Together and Come Up With a Plan

Single parenthood is not easy. Having to play both parental roles while tending to the needs of their jobs and other life obligations has its obstacles. Single parents deserve any bit of help they can get.So when it became known that a single mom of six children in Charlottesville, Virginia, needed a mode of transportation for herself and her kids, a group of high school students and an organization with hearts of gold gave her the life-changing gift of a car.How High School Students Helped a Single MomMichelle Mendez is gifted a car by Louisa County High School students.Michelle Mendez, the mom of six, had financial upheaval.Before she received assistance from the nonprofit The Journey Home, Mendez was homeless and had stayed in and out of hotels across the area before getting help from the group.The Journey Home is a nonprofit that helps people recover from the struggles of homelessness with faith-based solutions.After getting help from the organization, the nonprofit Giving Hands also stepped in to offer assistance. Giving Hands was created by single dad Eddie Brown and his wife Ginny and focuses on providing help to single mothers who are facing periods of crisis, including car repair needs."The component that I look at is just the hope. And just seeing that in her eyes as she received that car and just the excitement and what it means for her boys too," Brown told NBC29 News.Giving Words also upped their support to a new level. They obtained a $10,200 grant from Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, a local company, and worked with the high schoolers to get Mendez a vehicle.Students Worked on the Car for Some TimeReportedly, the students had been working on the car for the course of the year so that the car would be ready for both Mendez and her children.Mendez revealed that it's "been hard as a single mom" when you have a family to support, but she is grateful for the community's efforts."I really appreciate everything everybody's done to make this happen," she said.It's natural to believe that a school project that took a year to finish would become a memorable experience for students. And one for a great purpose will leave a significant impression on those who benefit from the act.Mendez received the car in a ceremony that included the high school students who worked on getting the car in the best condition for her. Brown and a representative from Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, among others, were in attendance.Mendez’s Message for the High Schoolers Who Helped Maker Her Life BetterMendez has a short but impactful message of "hope" for the charismatic high schoolers as they've done a remarkable deed."[I hope they are] grateful that it gets to go to somebody who's really going to appreciate it and use it," she said.More from Goalcast:Ex-convict Stops for Breakfast at Denny’s – And Asks for a Waitress Who’s a Single Mom for This ReasonSingle Mom Cleans Four Bedroom Home Then Told She Gets to Keep It – Later She Finds Out It Was A “Prank”Judge Learns Single Mom Was Kicked Out of Her House at 13 Years Old – Then, He Reads a Letter in Front of the Court That Stuns Her

Surviving Vietnam POWs Are Honored With a Banquet 50 Years After Being Set Free And the Details Are Incredible
Uplifting News

Surviving Vietnam POWs Are Honored With a Banquet 50 Years After Being Set Free And the Details Are Incredible

Many things have changed since the 70s -- technology is far ahead of where it was, diplomatic relations have shifted, and new wars have started and ended. The Vietnam War is one of the most haunting events of that decade -- it changed warfare and shifted American culture forever. An entire generation of people were shaped by the experience of fighting the war, or fighting against it and protesting for peace in the streets. Now, few people will remember the 591 prisoners of war -- including the late Senator John McCain -- who were captured and held in Hanoi Hilton prison and finally released in 1973. Then, in May of that year, the Nixon government threw a banquet in their honor. The Biggest Banquet in White House HistoryOn May 24th 1973, 1,600 people gathered to celebrate the freedom of their comrades in arms. The dinner was hosted in a grand tent by the President himself, decorated with sparkling chandeliers and fresh flowers. Icons Sammy Davis Jr. and Bob Hope provided the entertainment that night, and food and drink flowed freely. People were happy to celebrate the end of the war, and even happier to celebrate the release of the prisoners who had suffered so long and fought so bravely for freedom ad democracy. The 50-Year Anniversary Dinner Was Almost IdenticalThe dinner held to commemorate the survivors in 2023 was more like a reenactment than an anniversary. The organizers made sure that every detail mirrored the amazing event 50 years ago -- down to identical centrepieces and the same menu!Many of the 591 prisoners of war were still alive to remember the events of 50 years ago and celebrate their freedom. When President Nixon signed the Paris peace deal to end the Vietnam war on February 12, 1973, his government got to work extracting the prisoners who had been tortured and brutalized. By April, most POWs were home. Survivors Ranged From 75 to 91 Years OldMany of the survivors were able to tell their story, remembering it in vivid detail even 50 years later. Hal Kushner, an army surgeon, was on a mission to deliver medical supplies when his aircraft crashed into the hills of Vietnam. He was severely injured after a machine gun exploded and its bullets hit him -- his arm and collarbone were also broken. Kushner’s co-pilot was also in dire condition, and the crew chief left them alone together as he went to try and get help. Kushner’s co-pilot died after three days, and Kushner was captured.He was held in jungle camps first and then eventually transferred to Hanoi Hilton. Along the way, many fellow prisoners died in Kushner's arms. In total, he was held for 1,973 days. When he was finally free and returned home, he met his son -- who he didn’t even know existed. His wife was in the early stages of pregnancy when Kushner left for the war, unbeknownst to both of them. Conditions Eventually Improved at Hanoi HiltonAs outrage over the capture of prisoners of war grew stateside, the prisoners themselves were bonding and their morale was slowly improving. Their shared trauma was bringing them closer together. “Having roommates who know everything good or bad about you, you can’t pretend. We talked about our guilt, our shame, our anger." Leon "Lee" EllisThe soldiers were able to rebound and live somewhat happily when they returned, and many prisoners, like Captain Leon “Lee” Ellis, credits their emotional closeness with their recovery. “We knew that if we came home bitter, we would still be in handcuffs and leg irons," Ellis added.Celebrate Those Who Survived the WarEven though many survivors were able to live normal and happy lives after the end of the war, they never forgot what they lived through in Vietnam.One soldier, Ken Wallingford, was chained and kept in a tiger cage like an animal. He and six others were kept in the cages for almost a full year. “They put me in this cage by myself. I had to bend down to get into it. I couldn’t stand because it was five feet high.”Ken Wallingford50 years after these prisoners of war were saved, the celebratory banquet is a great reminder to us all to never forget the sacrifices those who fight for democracy have made for us. It is of course important to remember the hard things, the violence and pain. It is also important to celebrate the good things -- resilience, friendship, and bravery embodied by these amazing soldiers. More from Goalcast:WWII Veteran Has Kept a Photograph of a 14-Year-Old in His Pocket for 78 Years – Then His Mystery Girl Showed UpYoung Girl Tells Worried Mom She Talks to a Veteran Every Morning — Their Shared Conversations Are SurprisingVeteran Spends 70 Years Searching for the Lost Love of His Life – At 91, He Finally Finds Her

Womans Husband of 14 Years Leaves Her After She Was Paralyzed - Makes a Comeback in More Ways Than One
Uplifting News

Womans Husband of 14 Years Leaves Her After She Was Paralyzed - Makes a Comeback in More Ways Than One

Losing a loved one and being diagnosed with a critical illness would destroy someone's life. Yet, one amazing woman has bounced back stronger than ever. By all accounts, 37-year-old Riona Kelly of Halifax, Yorkshire got off lucky. While a car accident 18 months prior shook her up, she had her health and was able to walk.But one day would change all of that drastically in ways she couldn't imagine. Rushed to the hospital with a spinal stroke leaving her paralyzed from the waist down, she heard the words anyone dreads to hear. "Doctors told me I would never walk again," she recalled to the Sun.However in a cruel twist, she'd soon lose more than just her mobility. A Husband Deserts His WifePhoto by Karolina Grabowska Just five days into her hospital stay, Kelly says that her husband of fourteen years called it quits on their marriage. "It was the time I needed my husband the most."It left Kelly -- a mother of four -- alone to fend for herself in a scary new world in a wheelchair. Her lows were perilously low."The first time I went out in a wheelchair I thought everyone was looking at me, I hated it and hated myself," she recalled, adding that she considered the worst. "If someone had given me the choice I would have ended my life, I didn't want to live anymore.”She thanks her lucky stars for her friend Sarah and her kids for seeing through that dark period. Riona Kelly was not ready to go out without a fight. A Strong Woman’s Comeback StoryKelly did physiotherapy around the clock, determined to get strength and feeling back in her legs. Then one day, despite what the doctors told her, she took her first steps on her own.She says there are four great reasons as motivation to never give up. "It took me 25 minutes to get up 16 steps, and the same time to come back down again, but I was determined to do it for my children."Amazingly, that's just the first act of her incredible success story.During her rehab, she met personal trainer Keith Mason. The two instantly hit it off."After our sessions, Keith and I stayed in contact, he would ask me how I was getting on and our relationship blossomed from there."It's been a love song ever since. "We have now been together for 11 months, the children really like him and I finally feel like I'm living the life I deserve."How One Woman Reminds Us to Walk Our PathPhoto by Dominic SansottaKelly's ex-husband Richard maintains that he told her of the divorce the morning before her stroke. Kelly's just thankful that he's in the rearview. "Looking back, going through what I did was the best thing to ever happen to me."Against all odds, Kelly is literally walking away from her troubles. She only needs her wheelchair to walk longer distances. Like, for example, the two marathons she's completed. Who can imagine how lonely Kelly must have felt in that hospital in the weeks and months after her husband left her?Author Ryan Holiday talks about two choices we have when faced with adversity. We can wallow in the 'Dead Time -- where we are passive and biding.'Or, as Kelly chose, we can choose 'Alive Time,' where we are 'learning and acting and leveraging every second towards their intended future.'With friends and family as motivation, she chose life and is now living her best. Even at our darkest point, it's a path available to us all.More from Goalcast:Woman Marries the Love of Her Life – Then Finds Out She Shares a Crazier Connection With Her Mother-In-LawWoman Is Forbidden by Dad to Marry Her Lover – Years Later, Her Daughter Discovers a Big Family SecretWoman Diagnosed With Rare Genetic Disorder Wonders if She’ll Ever Find Love – Then One Man Steps in With the Answer