Be yourself, reach for your dreams!
When you gaze out upon the water with the race under way, oars slicing, and cadence calls being barked, you would never suspect anything unusual about rower number seven. Kelly M. Coder is a junior at Washington State University in the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication, majoring in strategic communication with a focus on public relations and a minor in hospitality business management.
Coder was diagnosed with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy in seventh grade. For years Coder was embarrassed and ashamed of her disease and did not want anyone to know about her condition. Coder has put much commitment and determination into overcoming the mental barriers of a life-threatening disease.
“I was crushed when I was diagnosed,” Coder said. “I wanted to fly under the radar and pretend I didn’t exist.”
As many individuals go through with a handicap or physical challenge, Coder did not want to be labeled as different or dangerous, she said. Years later, Coder came to realize that it was impractical to keep her condition as a secret and her real friends and supporters would stick by her side.
Coder currently participates in the women’s WSU Cougar Crew Club Team, and in November took first with her team in women’s varsity category eight category on Lake Washington in Seattle. Coder is assigned to the seventh seat and helps guide one side of the boat in the movement.
Coder is defying all odds by even rowing, because since seventh grade her neurologist would have said absolutely not, “you aren’t going to play a water sport,” where now that is not a concern at all, Coder said.
Coder has had supportive friends, family, and an endearing coach to help her succeed. She said her mom does not let Coder discourage herself with negative self-talk. Coder’s rowing coach, Hugo Moon, has encouraged her to “be mentally strong,” and Coder includes this piece of advice in all aspects of her life.
Rowing is also mentally challenging as it is physical, Coder said.
“You are in a racing scull and in that boat for the whole event no matter how much pain you’re in,” Coder said.
Coder has created lifelong friendships with her rowing team and currently lives with some teammates. Coder rows and lives with her long-time best friend Anne F. Spellman.
“Kelly [Coder] has always had this internal spark to her where she is determined and tries hard within everything she does,” Spellman said. “She always wants to get better and try harder.”
Coder has absence seizures where she will zone out: for 4-6 seconds. Even though 4-5 seconds does not sound like a long period of time, Coder says it is enough time to really affect your performance within sports.
At times, Coder has felt like she has not been good enough, but she reminds herself that if she has put in this much work, she would not allow herself to be beat.
Everyone has challenges and obstacles within their lives, but self-confidence, solid support systems and determination like Coder, anyone can persevere.
“Just do it,” Coder said. “It’s important to at least try.”
BeautyBeings 