Sharie OwYoung - True Beauty Within

05/31/2025

05/20/2025

This is your reminder to hold on, to keep going, and do not give up! This is my brother Shane who would be 57 today. Unfortunately he ended his life short and the tender age of 16. Su***de is never the answer, doesn’t stop the pain and is very permanent. Life is hard, very hard sometimes but please hold on. You are needed, wanted and loved!!! Please reach out if you need help. Instead of celebrating a grandpa 👴 today I’m posting a very vulnerable plea to the world about a brother I barely knew. 🥺 At the age of 4 there’s not many memories unless you count the day he died, that is so unfair. Please, please hold on!!

08/25/2024

Day 3
We headed to breakfast earlier than yesterday. Eggs, bacon, hash browns and sweet breads. After breakfast we had our volunteer checkin in and Sara and stayed behind to do some training while the Silvia family went to morning energizers and exercise. I finished up writing my stack of cards I made and handed them out. It was shocking to see the response people had of receiving a simple card. I teach this to demonstrators however it was different truly seeing it in action. After energizers I went to OT again for a few minutes and listened to more life hacks. David had asked me if I would speak to the scouts who were there serving our meals. I went over to the theatre with David and Cameron. I learned more about Cameron a very handsome personable guy in his 20’s. He lost both of his legs at a young age due to lack of bones formed. He was fast on his prosthetic legs. They were low to the ground. I found out he had multiple pairs of legs but this set was the most comfortable. He was incredible and inspiring. Funny story later that night he showed to the dance in pants (he had worn shorts all weekend) I stared at him know something was different but not able to determine what. I then notice one leg that looked like a prosthetic was underneath. I thought wait… is he missing a limb and I didn’t realize it. Then it hit me. He had his natural height legs on and it through me off.

The three of us chatted with the scouts including the young man named Alex who was concerned about me the day before. It was great.

08/25/2024

Recap of my trip Day 2.

We met at 8 and decided driving to the cafeteria would be best. We had French toast, fruit, sausage and juice. It was mid as my kids would say but it did the job. I looked around and realized again this would be a very emotional weekend. So many inspiring people. I met David in person who was my leader and was instantly drawn to his upbeat personality and drive for life. His arm was very similar only the right hand instead. After breakfast we had a quick volunteer meeting and learned of our roles for the day. Then it was time for energizers and stretching in the gym. We had missed introductions the night before so they asked us to come to the front to introduce ourselves. The crazy dances/exercises were fun but within minutes I was a sweaty mess as were many people. Next up was OT for upper limb difference. I was asked to share some life hacks and heard many others. So many amazing kids. I saw some prosthetics and lots of cool gadgets used to make life easier. We chatted as we did shrinky cups and scratch art. I met Sara a school teacher my age who had two lucky fins just below her shoulders. She had a lot in common with a friend of mine back in Utah, it was so crazy and cool. At one point I looked over and could see that it wasn’t just overwhelming for me but Ellie was feeling the same. I hadn’t been around a room of people like us. People were asking questions and sharing things that were both good and extremely overwhelming. I felt tired and we were only halfway through the day. For lunch we had tacos. It was strange to watch Ellie balance her hard shell taco with her lucky fin while she filled. It hit me that was one reason I never choose hard shelf tacos. 🌮 They were a pain to fill. 😂 Watching her was fascinating as we do so many things the same. Continued in the comment section.

08/25/2024

Day 1 Woke up at 3:15 am before my alarm went off. Felt alert and ready to go so I got up and showered. Work Alex up at 4 am and by 435 am we were headed to the airport. Arrived around 5 am where I was shocked at just how many people were flying that early. Security was fast and I made my way to the gate. Grabbed some breakfast baos after a restroom run and a diet coke stop. Ellie and her parents arrived and we chatted and got to know each other. I gave Ellie a few small gifts and we compared lucky fins. Sara arrived shortly before boarding and we made our way to the plane. I was the only one who opted to do a carry on. I decided to check it at the gate after learning that we were on a full flight. As we walked through the breezeway I saw the picture Jas had text me a few weeks prior of a lucky fin girl. It all felt so perfect. Shortly after 7:15 we took off a bit late due to a missing exit sign. Flight went smoothly with an isle sit across from Sara. The man next to me didn’t know how to keep his legs together so I felt a bit cramped with him in my space but nothing I couldn’t handle. I took in a few good movies. My favorite was one life. I was impressed by the impact one person could have and wished I could be like that. Made our way to Atlanta were due to our delay our 40 min layover was now moved to a different flight and we had a few hours to burn. We set out to find food. We hopped onto the tram to make our way closer to the gate. A man put his suitcase on the tram and before he could step on the door closed and off we went. I thought about it all night feel stressed hit him. We found our way to PF Changs for lunch. It was yummy and fun to get to know the Silvia family better. While at lunch we found out our flight was delight another hour. Continued in comments …

08/22/2024

I’ve prepared and anticipated this day for almost a year now. In a plane headed to Maryland to attend Camp no Limits as part of my Heart of SU project.

(See my July 19th post if you don’t know what I’m talking about )

Tomorrow marks 3 years since I’ve been back at Stampin’ UP! The circumstances that lead me there felt so unfair at the time. It was a very dark time in my life. Now I can see it was blessing in disguise. So much has fallen into place in those three years for the good. The opportunity my work has given me this weekend to not only give back but to grow myself is priceless. I’m excited, nervous, giddy and terrified.. all in one. If you want to support me in my cause I’m still accepting donations. I’d love to provide this opportunity to as many lucky fins as possible next year. See my original
post for more information. Excited to share my once in a lifetime weekend adventure.

07/19/2024

You were created to make a difference! These are the words on a gift I was recently given. Such simple but powerful words. I’ve often wondered why I was sent to earth without a left hand. I believe I was aware of the plan and even okay with it, perhaps excited about it. I knew that although at times I would struggle it would bring forth many blessings into my life. As I prepare to speak this week I’ve been thinking about doors as they play a part in the camp’s theme I’m speaking at.

When I was born there were many unknowns and questions of what I would be capable of. Have doors closed because I don’t have two hands? Honestly, I think any closed door is because I didn’t take the time to explore how to make the impossible? possible. As one of my favorite authors Art Berg said “Everything is possible, the impossible just takes a little bit longer. “ I believe more doors have been opened than closed for me because I was born with one hand. I don’t think if given the chance I’d change who I am. I’ve learned so much because of my lucky fin. I believe one of the reasons I was created was to make a difference. Last week I got to see my friend Zaylee and her family. I look forward to seeing her every year when she visits Utah. I believe we knew each other before coming to earth. Her gifts to me this year reminded me that I do make a difference. As we played with her new Poppy doll, ate dinner, had ice cream and practiced our disappearing hand magic trick I felt so lucky to have the opportunity to make a difference. My wubbie as Zaylee calls it has blessed my life in so many ways.

One way I get to make a difference has been given to me through my work. Each year they choose one employee and help them with a making a difference through a charity of their choice. This year I am lucky enough to be the employee recipient of the Heart of Stampin’ UP! I knew that I wanted to give back to little lucky fins like Zaylee. I will be traveling to Camp no Limits next month with the owner of my company and a 16 year old lucky fin Ellie and her parents. I’m excited to serve there and give Ellie the opportunity to meet other lucky fins and learn just how capable she is. I have also awarded two other lucky fins a free camp registration for next year and am continuing to raise money so more kids will have the opportunity to attend Camp No Limits.

I can’t do it without your help. Every dollar counts! If you could, I’d love to ask for your support by donating to my project. You can scan the Venmo ( my work Venmo) attached and put “ Lucky Fin” in the description. With your help I will have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of other lucky fins. Thanks so much!

04/06/2024

Needing peace in your life? I invite you to join me in watching our semi annual conference that brings me peace.

April General Conference