I’m so thankful to Channing for contributing.  She is a fighter in her own life, but more importantly, she is a fighter for so many in Northwest Arkansas.  I’ve never seen her without a smile on her face or a open hand.  Love this lady and all that she stands for!

She’s pretty amazing so, I give you Northwest Arkansas’ sweetheart, Channing! 

• What have you OVERCOME?   This is a hard one because I don’t think I’ve overcome anything, necessarily. I feel like I fought a battle and just continue to live like anyone else would. I would say I’ve overcome “odds”, whether that be Multiple Sclerosis odds, growing in a single-parent home odds, and dealing with the most recent medical odd of blood clots in the brain. I think these are all odds that only lead to blessings in my life. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t get to battle these odds.
• What was your turning point?  I will never forget my math teacher, Ms. Pickup, telling me that it was ‘okay’ to cry! What a relief!  After being diagnosed with MS at 16, as a junior in high school, all I wanted to do was be normal. Instead, I was in and out of the hospital. I’ll never ever forget that day when, after going through a hospital stay and returning to school, Ms. Pickup walked me out to my car; I was only allowed to go to school for half days due to doctor orders and so I was leaving for the day. Ms. Pickup told me I was allowed to have a break down time of 10 minutes. During that 10 minutes, she said, I could cry, be angry, whatever it was.  I learned something so very valuable that day – that grieving was a process I needed and that we all need. I’m a genuinely positive person, and I tried to keep that smile on constantly. However, I needed to cry. I needed that time. Then, I pulled myself up and went forward, only with the grace of God and by His mercy did I go back out and face this disease!
• 5 word life mantra -This is the quote that was on my high school graduation invitation and one I try to live by!  “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.”  -Henry David Thoreau
• Quote you live by – Jeremiah 29: 11-13 has been on  my heart a lot lately.
  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.””Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” ~ Leo Buscaglia

Connect with Channing:

• Twitter: @channingbarker
•  Facebook: Channing Barker
•  Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/edithchanning/