Q&A with (Extra)Ordinary Women Author Kristin Bartzokis
Kristin Bartzokis is an extraordinary woman. Born with Treacher Collins syndrome, a craniofacial abnormality, Kristin experienced a childhood marked by surgeries and medical procedures, all while she became a champion gymnast. As an adult, Kristin has proudly accepted the challenge to stand out.
That’s why she was the perfect person to write (Extra)Ordinary Women: Ten Inspirational Stories, releasing from KiCam Projects in October.
In her forthcoming book, Kristin, whose memoir Diary of a Beautiful Disaster is a finalist for a Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Inspirational Book, profiles seemingly “everyday” women whose resilience and strength will inspire women around the world.
These women have defeated breast cancer, addiction, and homelessness. They have lived through the Boston Marathon bombing and hundreds of surgeries. They have traveled from foreign lands to create a better life. They have endured brain cancer, abuse, and poverty. They have given a home to dozens of special-needs children. They have known loss, pain, and fear.
And these extraordinary women remind us to never give up, never quit, and never underestimate the power of a woman.
In this Q&A, Kristin describes what she learned from the women in her book and what it means to her to be extraordinary.
What do you think makes an extraordinary woman?
I think an extraordinary woman is someone who isn’t afraid to be herself. She knows who she is and doesn’t forget where she came from, whether good or bad. She has the courage to face her adversity and the strength to prevail when times get tough. She won’t wait around for someone else to make her future brighter; she takes the measures to make it happen herself. An extraordinary woman isn’t flawless; she might falter and make mistakes, but she has the determination to bounce back from those mistakes and learn from them in the process. She is a woman with heart and gumption, and she sees no limitations to her life.
What did you learn from the women you profile in this book?
I learned so much from the women in this book. Some reiterated the importance of staying positive throughout the worst trials of life. Others taught me that even if you make a mistake, you can always right your wrong. But above all, I learned that no matter what any of us has been through, we can use those experiences to affect the lives of others.
One of the themes throughout the book is the idea of choosing to be strong. What does that mean to you, and how has that played out in your own life?
“Choose Strong” is actually my motto. Having been born with a craniofacial syndrome known as Treacher Collins, I endured numerous reconstructive surgeries throughout my life. I decided at a very young age that I wouldn’t let those surgeries break me. I focused on the positive things in my life rather than the negative. I realized that I could control my reactions to negative variables, and to me that meant summoning my mental fortitude even when I was in pain or in fear. Choosing to be strong helped me realize that I could face my obstacles head on and succeed. And that was a game changer, because it ended up being what people came to admire most about me.
You dedicated this book to your mom. How has she inspired you?
Both of my parents were unbelievable assets to my life. They both raised me to believe I could accomplish anything. They never treated my craniofacial syndrome as a hindrance; it was just an obstacle that needed to be conquered on the road to success. My mom, however, was the person who stayed with me through all my hospital stays, which at times were five to seven days in length. Because she worked in medicine, she watched over me and let the nurses tend to the other patients. She put her life on hold just to be there for me when I needed it most, and her constant presence comforted me.
What do you hope readers take away from (Extra)Ordinary Women?
I hope readers understand that not all inspirational stories require big, heroic measures. Inspiration can be found in the everyday, daily lives of the ordinary people we interact with on a regular basis. Inspiration isn’t only about actions; it is about how we choose to live our lives day in and day out.
Order your copy of (Extra)Ordinary Women today!
