I am from Arizona – a warm, sunny place, where cold is never discussed – where cold is considered evil. I was the kid who froze from air-conditioning, the kid who turned ice-cold from summer water balloon fights. So, when I told everyone in my hometown of my plans of going to college in Indiana, they laughed.

They laughed, and laughed. They laughed for a long time, and many of them continue to laugh, but now, they are smiling and laughing for another reason – disbelief.

Unknown to many people at college, I suffer from a disease called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy – a disease that has restricted me to wearing braces, and a disease that is very difficult to cure.

In unfamiliar territory, I am afraid to share — but need to. Some things need to be shared, an this is one of them. So here it is, my grand epiphany.

Remember the huge blizzard? The one which led to the merciful cancellation of some early morning classes? That was my birthday, and the blizzard was my birthday wish.

My celebration was simple – a brownie and a match. After celebrating, I emerged from the dining hall nineteen and ready to make my first Indiana snowman. It was cold.

In freezing temperatures and blinding snow, a friend and I trekked across campus hand in hand. Him face down cursing the snow, and me, mouth wide open catching flakes on my tongue and laughing as others tickled my nose. It was quite the sight. And then, it hit me

I, Kelly Hager, was at Notre Dame. Not only at Notre Dame, but also in the snow, facing what most said I wouldn't be able to tolerate. I had conquered the last major feat in my first year away from home; I had survived the snow. Immediately I was filled with many emotions, from happiness to a grand sense of accomplishment.

Instead of taking the shuttle home, I walked by way of the Grotto. I was the only one outside, perhaps because it was snowing like crazy. But there I was, so happy to be there, and so happy to be able to experience it all.

The path was newly dusted; there were no car tracks, or tread marks. Just a single set of footprints — mine. I stopped countless times along that road to think and appreciate. While walking a favorite poem came into my head: "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." (Robert Frost)

I smiled; there was my inspiration. And there I was, ready to brave not only the snow, but also any other hand I was dealt. `Cause I knew if I could handle Indiana weather, I could handle anything.

By the time I reached home, it was midnight. It had been an awesome birthday.

I don't know how or why I ended up where I am or in the predicament that I find myself fighting, but I do know one thing – I wouldn't exchange my life for anything and I am not holding back. Sure, I would love to be totally healthy, to be able to run fifty miles non-stop in some exotic marathon, but I know what I can and am able to do, and I am using those gifts to the best of my ability.

I have to agree with Walt Disney when he said, "It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

It has been a blast.

• Walking on Sunshine