The Kindness Factory was created by Kath Koschel, a former elite cricketer whose life spiraled into despair and darkness without warning. She fought through the horrible ordeal however, and emerged with a renewed passion for life and a complete understanding of just how powerful kindness can be.
In 2011 Kath made her debut for NSW against South Australia on the famous Adelaide Oval, but no sooner had her career started it came to an abrupt halt. Kath sustained a back injury and just a few months later developed complications from surgery that saw her go within 24 hours having her leg amputated.
It was only Kath’s sheer stubbornness that had prevented surgeons from removing the dying limb sooner. At the eleventh hour her persistence was rewarded when professionals discovered a small bleed in her abdomen that was limiting the blood flow to her leg. Emergency surgery fixed the bleed – her leg was saved.
It was during this period whilst attending rehabilitation that Kath met Jim. There was an instant connection.
Jim had a smile that could make all of the worries of the world disappear. He was the type of man that made everyone feel welcome. They fell in love, and planned a future together. Jim was Kath’s light in this otherwise dark journey.
With a heavy blow, tragedy struck again for Kath in 2012 when Jim passed away; taking his own life. Kath’s new light was snuffed out and her journey plunged into darkness once again.
Kath’s recovery from the mental and physical trauma was a tough one. But throughout it all one thing shone out – the kindness of others who simply wanted to help.
They were small gestures, like offering to help her with a door, but they all helped Kath feel a little bit better. Little things were adding up to make a really big difference.
While on the journey to recovery, on Australia Day 2014, Kath Koschel was awarded the Pride of Australia Medal as someone who had shown courage in overcoming adversity. This courage Kath attributes not to herself, but to the power of kindness shown to her by others.
With a new understanding of just how powerful kindness can be, Kath launched the Kindness Factory on 13th November 2015 to encourage people to show a little kindness in their community, and to share experiences of kindness shown to them.
After all…
One small act of kindness can make a really big difference.
One small act of kindness can make a really big difference.
So Kath Koschel is now on the most amazing journey. As I write, she's on day # 3 of a trip that depends almost totally on the kindness of others.
Last Friday, Kath left home with only the following items:
- the clothes she was wearing and a back pack
- toothbrush and hairbrush
- 1 week's worth of prescription medication
- her phone and charger (so she can document her journey)
- one change of clothes
- empty water bottle
You can join me and loads of other people and follow Kath's journey here: http://kindnessfactory.com/kindness-journey/ and, please, Like her Facebook page as well : https://www.facebook.com/kindnessfactory/?fref=ts and keep up with her travels.
If ever ANYONE is an example of "Stff that is good in the World", it's this lady! :)
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