Em Van Kleeck

The fifth child in a family of 14, Em grew up surrounded by disability. But it wasn't until the age of 22 that she, herself, became disabled due to a single car accident and permanently lost the use of her legs.

Em is no stranger to pain and loss. At 19, she lost her mother to cancer and would lose a sister in law and young brother in the years to come. Grief and loss became frequent visitors to Em's life.

Now, as a mother of 4 and advocate for the disabled, Em chooses to get up every day and do.

Em has an intimate understanding of pain, grief, loss and healing and how to move forward when life just doesn't seem fair. Because, sometimes, healing is not an option.