Perspectives: Discovery through Difference

By Kris McElroy

Through the windows of autism, trauma, multiple disabilities, young onset dementia, faith, racial differences, depression and anxiety, sexuality and gender orientation, McElroy invites the reader into his world. He navigates his journey of life through these windows. Each poem, reflection, and piece of art, filled with emotion and vulnerability, carries the reader on this journey. Told through the lenses of differences and challenges, each piece shows how, despite the diversity of life's challenges, the self collides with the surrounding world and life itself, leading to discovery, acceptance, healing, and love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kris McElroy
• Release date: Oct 3, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463342794

Kris McElroy

Kris McElroy, MS, CLC has over 10 years experience as a human services professional and certified life coach. Through this experience he has had the opportunity to partner with clients across a variety of different settings and backgrounds to achieve their goals, create the lasting change they seek, and maximize their wellness, as well as their personal and professional greatness. Kris received his BS in Psychology from University of Maryland, and an MS in Multidisciplinary Human Services from Capella University. His background includes additional training across multiple specialty areas including Mindfulness & Meditation; Spirituality, Health, & Healing; Holistic & Integrative Health; Living Well With Chronic Illness; Adaptive Fitness; General Wellness; Expressive Arts Self Care, Stress Management & Healing; and Independent Living Skills for Adults with Disabilities. Kris is a Maryland resident, living his best life while navigating life with multiple chronic illnesses, food allergies and sensitivities. He is also an author, advocate, artist, and educator who enjoys the outdoors, cooking, and spending time with his family in his spare time.

Book preview

Perspectives:

Discovery Through Difference

A Collection of Poems, Reflections, & Artwork

By: Kris McElroy

Dedication

For every person who has faced, is facing, or will face challenges;

For every person who has, is, or will struggle with finding themselves;

For every person who has, is, or will struggle to find their place in the world;

May you know you are loved. May you know you are not alone. May you know that you matter and make the world a better place every single day just by being you.

A special thank you to my family, friends, and all the people and experiences that have been a part of my life, helping to shape the person that I am. This book is also dedicated to you.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Lenses of the Self

Chapter 2: The Self & The World Collide;

Always on a Journey Together

Chapter 1: Lenses of the Self

I AM

I AM…

A Teacher

An Artist

A Chef

An Educator

A Writer

A Special Olympian

A Volunteer

A Non-Profit Worker

A High School and College Graduate

A Trauma Survivor

A Fighter

A huge Rocky Balboa fan

I am many things of my past, present, and future yet to come

I AM.

I AM A PERSON

with multiple disabilities and medical conditions

with Autism

with Rheumatoid Arthritis

with a progressive neurological disorder

with Young Onset Dementia

with anxiety and depression

Still I am a whole, equal, worthy, valuable

PERSON.

I AM…

How others see me,

How I see myself,

Whether true or not true;

A wide range of feelings,

A lifetime of experiences,

All the lives and paths I have crossed,

A voice, my voice,

A story, my story, unique and interconnected;

A collection of traits and attributes,

A collection of faiths, beliefs, values, and cultures,

A collection of memories,

A person of habit and change,

Known and unknown;

My birth name,

My birth gender,

The name, gender, sexuality aligned with