Whitney Lavender ♿️🦿🤍

“This can’t all be for nothing.” I have said those words since the beginning of everything I’ve been through. Even when I couldn’t understand my own journey, I believed there had to be a greater purpose in what I would do with it. If sharing my story helps just one person in this life, then I have done my job. But Lord, I hope it helps a whole bunch of people. ❤️ When I look at these photos of myself speaking at Ms. Wheelchair America, I think about everything that brought me to that microphone. Abuse. Neglect. Addiction. Loss. Grief. Trauma. Divorce. Motherhood. A life-changing disease. Losing both legs. Learning how to begin again. There are so many chapters to my story. Somewhere in those chapters, someone else may recognize a piece of their own. That is why I choose to use my voice. Because I know what it feels like to be on your knees, crying out to God, “I can’t do this anymore.” I’ve been there. And if that is where you are today, I want you to know that there is hope beyond this moment. You deserve support while you find your way through it. There is still life to live, love to experience, and joy you haven’t met yet. I am living a life I couldn’t have imagined in some of my darkest moments. That is part of my testimony, too. So I’ll keep sharing the hard chapters alongside the beautiful ones. I’ll keep showing up, having honest conversations, and using what I’ve lived through to serve a greater purpose. If you know of an event, conference, church, school classroom, or stage where my message could make a difference, please connect with me. I welcome opportunities to speak about resilience, faith, disability, and rebuilding a life after everything changes. And if someone comes to mind as you read this, please send it their way. You may be the connection that helps my story reach the person who needs it. My story is still being written. And I intend to keep using my voice. ❤️

You know what’s harder than getting UP these stairs? Getting back DOWN after 90 minutes of Jiu Jitsu! 😂💪 When I go train at All Heart Jiu Jitsu, these stairs are my warm-up before I even hit the mats. Then I spend the next hour and a half rolling, grappling, pushing myself, and giving everything I’ve got. And when we’re finished? When my arms are exhausted and I’m ready to call it a day? THOSE DAMN STAIRS ARE STILL WAITING ON ME! 🤣 Is it hard? Absolutely. Is it exhausting? You bet your ass. Do I let it stop me? NOT A CHANCE. Here’s the thing about doing hard things: They don’t suddenly become easy just because you’re determined. Sometimes they’re frustrating. Sometimes they’re exhausting. Sometimes you have to adapt, ask for help, or find a completely different way to get where you’re going. And sometimes you just have to remind yourself WHY you started. I didn’t come this far to stop at the stairs. Whether your obstacle is physical, mental, emotional, or something nobody else can see, don’t let a difficult chapter convince you that your story is over. Hard doesn’t mean impossible. And progress doesn’t have to look like anybody else’s. Everything is OVERCOMABLE. 💜 Now tell me…what’s a “staircase” in YOUR life that you’re working to overcome? #EverythingIsOvercomable #WhitsGrit #AdaptiveAthlete #AdaptiveJiuJitsu #YouCanDoHardThings

Sometimes the problem isn’t YOU. It’s the environment you’re in. 💜 Don’t let the wrong people or places convince you that you’re worth less than you are. Know your value. Find where you belong. And don’t be afraid to roll on when it’s time! 🔥 Stop settling for spaces that don’t recognize your worth. #KnowYourWorth #WhitsGrit #PersonalGrowth #NeverSettle #everythingisovercomable

You know what happens before an arrow flies forward? It gets pulled BACK. 🏹🔥 Well, life has been doing a WHOLE lot of pulling me backward lately. A blood clot in my brain and days spent in the hospital weren’t exactly part of my hunting season plans. 🙃 But here’s the thing… Don’t mistake a setback for a surrender. Right now, my focus is on healing. On getting stronger. On finding my footing (figuratively speaking, of course 😂) and getting back to the things I love. And when the time comes to draw that bow again, you’d better believe I’ll be ready. This setback might be BIG…but the COMEBACK is going to be even BIGGER. 💪🏼💜 I’ve still got targets to hit, adventures to chase, and a whole lot of life left to LIVE! Everything is OVERCOMABLE. 💜 #WhitsGrit #ComebackSeason #Archery #EverythingIsOvercomable #NeverGiveUp

Hey you, yeah you 🫵🫵🫵 GO VOTE!!! Luckily I got mine done early or I’d have missed this year. If I can do it, you can do it! Go!!!

It’s CHOOSE Tuesday. 🩷 This week feels a little different for me. Some weeks, choosing looks like pushing harder, showing up bigger, and chasing the next thing. And some weeks, choosing looks like healing. Choosing rest without guilt. Choosing patience when progress feels slow. Choosing faith when the answers aren’t all there yet. Choosing grace for yourself in a season you didn’t ask for. Choosing hope, even when things feel heavy. So this week, I’m not asking you to choose the words that make you feel the strongest. Choose the ones you need most. Maybe it’s peace. Maybe it’s courage. Maybe it’s recovery. Maybe it’s simply remembering to breathe. Pick 3 from this week’s image and drop them below. I’ll go first: healing, faith, and patience. 🩷 What are you choosing this week? #ChooseTuesday #HealingJourney #ChooseHope #faithoverfear #MindsetMatters

Pretty much sums it up… 🤣

Rolling into November with a whole lot of hope, a little extra GRIT, and a reminder that slowing down doesn’t mean giving up. 💜🍂 After the way October ended, I honestly have no idea what this month has in store for me. But here’s something I’m learning… Living life to the fullest doesn’t always mean doing MORE. Sometimes it means allowing yourself to rest. Finding something to laugh about on a hard day. Celebrating the smallest victories. Giving yourself grace when things don’t go as planned. And trusting God with the things you simply cannot control. So this November, I’m not chasing perfection or putting pressure on myself to accomplish a million things. I’m choosing to be present for the life I’ve been given. AND LET’S NOT FORGET…NOVEMBER MEANS HUNTING SEASON! 🦌🏹 So while I’m praying for healing, peace, and a little less chaos, I’m also putting in one very specific request… Lord, when I’m able to get back out there, please send a nice buck strolling broadside right into my shooting lane. I’ve had enough plot twists this year. Let’s make THAT part easy! 😂😂 Here’s to healing, growth, laughter, new adventures, unexpected blessings, and finding joy in the little things along the way. Because even when life gets complicated, there is still SO MUCH life worth living. 💜 What is ONE thing you’re hoping November brings into your life? 🍁 #HelloNovember #WhitsGrit #EverythingIsOvercomable #HuntingSeason #ChooseJoy

So blessed with wonderful people that brighten even the darkest of days… ☺️🥰🌸🌷🩷

Day 4 in the hospital…and still fighting these DAMN headaches. 🫠 Apparently, having a blood clot in your brain causes a bit of discomfort. WHO’D HAVE THUNK IT?! 😉🤯 Today’s goal is to transition from IV medications to oral medications so we can start working toward busting me out of this joint! I’ll be honest, I was feeling a lot more hopeful yesterday than I am today. The pain is exhausting, the waiting is frustrating, and I’m more than ready to be on the other side of all this. But we push on anyway. Because what else are we gonna do?! A little while ago, I decided I needed a change of scenery and ventured out of my hospital room for a bit. And wouldn’t you know it…I stumbled across a little reminder of hope in the form of a random heart drawn on a window. ❤️ Sometimes it’s the littlest things, you guys. A tiny heart. A moment of peace. A reminder to keep looking for the good, even when everything feels pretty darn lousy. So that’s where we are for now. Still fighting. Still waiting. Still finding reasons to smile. And currently praying that the next magical hospital “cocktail” they bring me is FINALLY the one that does the trick! 🍹🙏 One day at a time, friends. 💜 #CerebralVenousThrombosis #ChiariMalformation #ChronicIllness #FindingHope #WhitsGrit

True commitment, lol 😂

What he said 👇👇👇

October, you were a WHOLE LOT of everything! 🍂💜 And yes, this recap is a few days late…but if you know how my October ended, you probably understand why. 😂 From workouts and archery to podcasting, advocacy, speaking to students, hockey games, new friendships, fall adventures, and everything in between…this month was FULL! I got to do things I love, spend time with some incredible people, make memories, chase goals, and continue building this crazy, beautiful life of mine. And then, just when I thought October was wrapping up, life decided to throw in one heck of a plot twist that I DEFINITELY didn’t have on my bingo card. 🫠 But here’s what I love about looking back at these little monthly recaps… Even in the months that end with unexpected challenges, there is SO MUCH GOOD worth remembering. Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful. The hard moments don’t erase the happy ones. And sometimes we need to look back to appreciate just how much living we’ve actually done. So here’s to October, the memories made, the lessons learned, and all the GRIT it took along the way. November, I’m coming for you! Just maybe take it a little easier on me, okay?! 😂💜 Everything is OVERCOMABLE. What was your favorite memory from October? 🍁 #OctoberRecap #WhitsGrit #EverythingIsOvercomable #LivingLifeToTheFullest #AdaptiveLiving

Big overthinker? GUILTY. 🙋🏼‍♀️ Big believer? EVEN BIGGER. 🙌🏼 And let me tell you, the last several days have put BOTH to the test. I’ve been scared. I’ve been in pain. I’ve had more questions than answers. And I’ve certainly had some pretty lengthy conversations with God. But here’s something I’ve learned through all the things life has thrown my way… Faith doesn’t mean you never feel fear. It means choosing to trust God even when you’re terrified of what comes next. I’m not sharing this from the other side of a difficult chapter. I’m sharing it right smack dab in the middle of one. I don’t know exactly what the days ahead hold. But I know Who holds them. And sometimes that’s enough to get me through the next five minutes. 💜 So here’s your reminder that you can be scared AND have faith. You can struggle AND be grateful. You can have questions AND still trust. Those things can coexist. And no matter what… Everything is OVERCOMABLE. 💜 #WhitsGrit #FaithOverFear #EverythingIsOvercomable #TrustGod #KeepGoingl

If you’ve ever wondered how to support me, tomorrow you can start with something simple: wear orange. 🧡 Tomorrow, November 2, is #CRPSOrangeDay. For me, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is deeply personal. It changed my life and ultimately led to the loss of both my legs. I can’t make everyone understand what living with CRPS feels like. But I can keep using my voice—and ask you to help this message reach someone who needs to know they aren’t alone. 🧡 Wear orange tomorrow. 📸 Post a photo and tag me @whitscomplex so I can see you! 🔁 Share this video to help spread awareness. When someone asks why you’re wearing orange, tell them about CRPS. That conversation matters. Who’s going orange with me tomorrow? 🧡 #ColorTheWorldOrange #CRPSAwareness #CRPS #ChronicPainAwareness

Well after 26 hours and 15 minutes of this stay…I’m finally in a hospital room! Yay. Next step is another MRI to look more specifically at the blood vessels in the affected area. Also to make sure there is no tissue damage from the stroke/CVST. Fun times in the neighborhood…apparently I wanted all tricks for Halloween this year. 🤦‍♀️ (And yes, I know I look absolutely glorious right now lol)