How an HR leader transformed her experiences with lupus, PTSD, and domestic violence into a mission to empower others.

How an HR leader turned personal adversity into a powerful mission of disability advocacy, workplace inclusion, and empowerment.

Sometimes the most powerful advocates are the people quietly navigating extraordinary challenges while helping others find their way forward.

In Episode 163 of Pushing Forward with Alycia, Alycia Anderson welcomes her friend Kelly Still, an HR leader, mother, and advocate whose journey demonstrates what happens when lived experience becomes a catalyst for change.

Kelly’s story includes surviving domestic violence, navigating lupus and mental health disabilities, healing from trauma, and learning to advocate for herself in the workplace. Today, she is using those experiences to empower employees, educate university students, and help organizations create environments where people feel safe, supported, and valued.

Their friendship began several years ago during Alycia’s disability inclusion work with Victoria’s Secret. What started as a conversation about self-advocacy eventually inspired Kelly to bring those lessons into her own career and community.

From One Conversation to a Movement of Advocacy

One of the most meaningful themes of this episode is the ripple effect of advocacy.

After hearing Alycia speak about disability inclusion and the importance of using your voice, Kelly began thinking about how she could bring those same conversations into human resources and higher education.

She started educating students at the University of Michigan about workplace rights, disability accommodations, and resources available to employees.

Now working in HR at Domino’s, Kelly continues to advocate for greater disability awareness, stronger support systems, and more accessible workplace cultures.

Her experience reinforces a powerful lesson: inclusion doesn’t stop when a presentation ends. It grows when people carry what they’ve learned into their own workplaces and communities.

Living With Invisible Disabilities and Chronic Illness

Not every disability is visible, and Kelly knows that firsthand.

Living with lupus, PTSD, and bipolar I disorder, Kelly describes the challenges of managing chronic illness while maintaining her professional responsibilities.

She shares how lupus flare-ups can affect her ability to work and why access to accommodations, including working remotely when necessary, can make a meaningful difference.

Her experiences also highlight the importance of understanding non-apparent disabilities and recognizing that employees may be managing circumstances their colleagues cannot see.

Kelly explains how being open about her experiences has helped others feel more comfortable asking questions, requesting accommodations, and discussing their own disabilities.

Surviving Domestic Violence and Reclaiming Her Voice

Kelly courageously shares her experiences surviving domestic violence, including traumatic events that affected both her and her daughter.

For years, she struggled with the emotional aftermath of abuse, self-blame, and the pressure to appear strong even when she was hurting.

Through therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), family support, and survivor communities, Kelly began rebuilding her confidence and rediscovering her voice.

Her journey demonstrates that healing is not always linear and that seeking support can be an important part of moving forward.

Today, Kelly shares her experiences to help others recognize that they deserve safety, support, and a future beyond trauma.

Understanding ADA Accommodations and Employee Rights

As an HR professional, Kelly brings valuable workplace insights to this conversation.

She discusses the importance of educating employees about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The conversation explores why employees should understand their accommodation options, why disclosure is a personal decision, and how organizations can build trust through supportive policies and leadership.

Kelly also shares positive experiences with employers who have supported her accommodation needs and created environments where she could discuss her disability without fear of judgment.

The takeaway: Workplace inclusion is not simply about having policies. It is about ensuring employees understand how to access support and feel comfortable using the resources available to them.

Building Psychological Safety Through Transparency

One of Kelly’s greatest strengths is her willingness to be open about her experiences.

She explains how sharing her own story has encouraged colleagues to speak about chronic illness, mental health, and domestic violence.

These conversations have helped create meaningful connections and opportunities for support.

Kelly also challenges employers to think beyond handing employees a resource pamphlet when they are experiencing difficult circumstances.

Instead, she encourages compassionate conversations, appropriate workplace protections, and meaningful access to employee support services.

Her message is clear: psychological safety grows when people know they will be treated with dignity and compassion.

Pivot With Purpose: Kelly’s Pushing Forward Moment

Kelly closes the conversation with a philosophy that has guided her own recovery and advocacy.

“It’s okay to have to pivot in life. Make sure you pivot with purpose.”

Her message encourages listeners to recognize that unexpected challenges do not have to define the rest of their lives.

Sometimes moving forward means changing direction, asking for help, finding community, or choosing to advocate for someone else.

And sometimes, the experience you once struggled to talk about becomes the very thing that helps another person find their voice.

Key Takeaways

• Invisible disabilities deserve the same recognition and access as visible disabilities.
• Employees benefit from understanding their rights and workplace accommodation options.
• Domestic violence survivors deserve compassionate, informed support without judgment.
• Psychological safety helps create workplaces where people can ask for help and advocate for themselves.
• Healing, community, and professional support can help people rebuild after trauma.
• One conversation can inspire meaningful change far beyond the people originally involved.

Resources and Support

National Domestic Violence Hotline

Call: 800-799-7233

Text: START to 88788

Website: https://www.thehotline.org/

The ENOUGH Initiative

A survivor advocacy initiative founded by Nicole Beverly, discussed by Kelly during the episode.

Workplace Disability Rights

Americans with Disabilities Act: https://www.ada.gov/

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: https://www.eeoc.gov/

Family and Medical Leave Act: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla

Trauma and Mental Health

National Institute of Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/

Keep Pushing Forward

Kelly Still’s story is a reminder that finding your voice can change more than your own life.

When we share our experiences, advocate for access, and create spaces where others feel safe enough to do the same, we turn individual stories into collective progress.

Listen to Episode 163 of Pushing Forward with Alycia, share it with someone who might need encouragement, and join us in creating a world where disability has a voice.

Listen and subscribe: https://alyciaanderson.com/podcast/

Content note: This episode includes discussions of domestic violence, trauma, pregnancy loss, and mental health.

Watch this Episode on YouTube

00:00 Welcome to Pushing Forward with Alycia
00:26 Meet Kelly Still: From Connection to Advocacy
03:27 Understanding ADA Accommodations and Employee Rights
07:00 Bringing Disability Advocacy Into HR
11:00 Living With Lupus, PTSD, and Invisible Disabilities
12:48 Surviving Domestic Violence and Rebuilding
14:09 The Importance of Therapy and Community
16:38 EMDR and Healing From Trauma
18:19 Pivot With Purpose
22:37 Navigating Chronic Illness in the Workplace
25:48 Disability Disclosure and Self-Advocacy
30:05 Educating the Next Generation at the University of Michigan
33:00 Psychological Safety and Supporting Survivors
37:00 Resources, Support, and Kelly’s Message
38:00 Kelly’s Pushing Forward Moment

Keep Pushing Forward With Alycia

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If this conversation inspired you, subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with an employer, entrepreneur, family member, or dog lover who believes in creating more possibilities for people with disabilities.