Where it all began.

Soul Storey Collective was born from my own wild journey—one filled with stories of survival, healing, growth, and some funny stuff! Call it luck but I like to think the universe, and my army of angels have had one heck of a time watching over me. Now I'm not saying it's been an easy ride, more like that old wooden roller coaster at Dollywood. Like the sun I've continued to push through the clouds and rise.

I hold my tribe close to my heart, talk to God and can feel the energy of my angels around me. Meditation, yoga, dancing and laughter have made the top of the list lately I've used the healing powers of art therapy for quite some time and excited to share my journey with you!

During my freshman year in college, I survived a fatal commercial airplane crash heading home for Christmas...yes for real! I crawled through fire—literally—and emerged forever changed. That story we'll save for another day, but it's at the core of my entire being.

I sustained multiple fractures from head to toe, and spent 2 weeks in the hospital, the first one in ICU flat on my back. When I was stable enough for surgery, I had a pelvic bone graph and spinal fusion on 6 vertebrae, wrapped with 10" stainless steel rods, and1 in my leg. All I remember from that first week was the discman and cd's my mom picked up at the mall for me to pass the days.

I was up on my feet (barely) and back to college for my spring semester. Looking back this was probably NOT the best decision. I'm still baffled my parents were ok with it! Determined to speed up my recovery, I filled my course schedule with psychology classes to better understand my feelings and art classes to release them. I emersed myself in design and photography but it was the pottery studio that held me. I'd spend hours throwing giant vessels, creating intricate surface designs, late nights with my music blasting. I was already experimenting with glass; I'd smash Blue Nun wine bottles and sprinkle the broken pieces over my dried pieces, fusing together as one in the kiln. It was there that I discovered

Art can save you. Music can carry you.

And sharing your story can set you free.

Little did I know, the healing process would become a constant, ever-changing force in my life, where I'd be hanging in the light. I was already on my way.

Lauren

Hatfield - the 50lb. tile wall hanging displayed in my Senior Art show - April 18, 1998. How about that!