Eight years ago, Kristy lay in a hospital bed recovering from a severe brain injury that ultimately cost her her vision. Faced with a stark crossroad, she chose to fight. Relearning to navigate the world in total darkness while raising a family and pursuing an education presented monumental hurdles—but Kristy refused to let her circumstances define her.
A pivotal turning point arrived when her caseworker from the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) introduced her to the Human Services program through the Polus Center. To enroll, she first had to conquer high school level mathematics without sight to earn her GED, a grueling process she overcame through sheer determination and a dedicated support system.
When she finally entered the Polus Center classroom, the impact was immediate and life-altering. For Kristy, human services wasn't just an academic curriculum—it was the literal fabric of her lived experience with disability, addiction, mental health struggles, and recovery.
"Human services isn’t just something I studied — it’s something I’ve lived... I know what it feels like to need help, support, compassion, and understanding," Kristy said.
The Polus Center program acted as the ultimate catalyst for personal transformation. Rather than simply teaching her a textbook skillset, the class provided a profound understanding of the different fields of human services, allowing her to connect her own survival to a broader framework of empathy and professional care. This powerful psychological shift fully restored her confidence, transforming her from a survivor into an empowered advocate.
Her journey culminated in a moment of pure triumph when she looked her lifelong fear of public speaking in the face and smashed it to deliver her graduation speech. Kristy’s story is a fierce reminder that no matter what obstacles stand in your way, you are capable of doing far more than you think possible if you refuse to quit.