Kandis is a 16-year-old junior from the Cowboy State of Wyoming. She has always had a passion for animals, athletics, and pushing herself to accomplish big dreams.
Before becoming sick, Kandis played hockey for both her local and state teams. She is also a figure skater and a high school cheerleader. Her love for horses has always been an important part of who she is, and she dreams of one day becoming a veterinarian specializing in equine medicine. She also hopes to continue working with and training wild mustangs, combining her love for horses with her desire to make a difference.
Through her platform, “Fighting the Invisible,” Kandis is using her own experiences to raise awareness about invisible disabilities and the physical and emotional toll they can have on those living with them. When an illness or disability cannot be seen, the daily battles behind it are often misunderstood, overlooked, or even questioned.
Kandis knows firsthand how isolating that can feel. By beginning to share her own story, she has found that some of that isolation has started to disappear. Now, she wants others to experience that same feeling of being seen, heard, and understood.
For now, Kandis is focusing on telling her story and raising awareness. In the future, she hopes to expand Fighting the Invisible by connecting with others living with invisible disabilities and giving them a place to share their stories, too. Her goal is to remind people that behind every invisible disability is a real person facing battles others may never see—and that no one should have to face those battles feeling alone.
Kandis continues to pursue her dreams while learning that strength does not always mean having an easy path. Sometimes, strength is simply continuing forward when the path looks completely different than the one you originally imagined.
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”
Follow Kandis on her journey!
Instagram: @kandis.dawn
Facebook : Fighting the Invisible
