Carey Portell, survivor of a drunk driving accident, talks about her journey after the accident, dealing with a pelvis injury, contributing to the family farm, and the challenges of recovery. She also discusses buying used equipment from Greenway and the topic of mom guilt.
Kerry Portell's resilience and determination allowed her to overcome severe injuries and regain her ability to walk after a devastating car accident.
Kerry's writing and TV show serve as platforms for her to inspire and educate others, showcasing her recovery journey and mission to help others overcome their own tragedies.
Deep dives
Overcoming Tragedy and Finding Hope
Kerry Portell, a cattle farmer, shares her personal journey of overcoming a devastating car accident that changed her life. The accident resulted in severe injuries, including damage to her pelvis and lower legs, which left her partially disabled. Despite the physical and emotional challenges, Kerry's determination and resilience allowed her to slowly regain her ability to walk. Alongside her recovery, Kerry experienced feelings of guilt as a mother and had to learn to balance her farming responsibilities with her health. Through her speaking engagements and writing, Kerry aims to inspire others facing adversity and emphasizes the importance of mental health and perseverance.
Writing a Book and Launching a TV Show
After receiving encouragement from her community, Kerry decided to write a book about her recovery journey. The book focuses on the first year of her recovery, diving into the physical and emotional challenges she faced. Despite initial hesitations, Kerry recognized the impact her story could have on others and used her writing to educate and inspire. Additionally, Kerry was approached by media agencies and eventually partnered with Your Home TV, founded by Kathy Ireland. Her TV show, Cruisin' Cowgirl, showcases Kerry's life on the farm, her speaking engagements, and her mission to help others overcome their own tragedies.
Managing Pain and Sharing Vulnerability
Kerry discusses her daily struggle with chronic pain and the lengths she goes to manage it. She shares her experience with pain medication and her hesitations due to the risk of addiction. Yoga, Pilates, stretching, and other self-care practices have become part of Kerry's daily routine to alleviate pain and maintain her ability to walk. Despite her introverted nature, Kerry has learned to embrace vulnerability in her speaking engagements and on-camera appearances, believing that her story can provide hope and inspiration to others.
Advice for Those Facing Adversity
Kerry urges those facing their own tragedies to remember that the difficult moments they are experiencing are temporary. She encourages individuals to make the choice to move forward and not rush into making any rash decisions. Kerry emphasizes the importance of perseverance and highlights that there is always a way to find hope and overcome challenges. By sharing her own journey, Kerry hopes to inspire others to keep pushing forward and never give up.