Kristal Kent of Cleveland on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kristal Kent. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Kristal, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
This is a question that echoes in my quiet moments of reflection… Am I walking a path or wandering? Sometimes, it is difficult to discern the difference. A path suggests certainty, direction, footsteps purposefully aligned with a destination shimmering on the horizon. Wandering, by contrast, implies meandering through possibility, following curiosity’s gentle tug rather than a mapped trajectory. I prefer to dance between walking and wandering. Walking a path navigates you to your goals while wandering allows you cultivate new ideas.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a disabled Army Veteran living with Fibromyalgia. I served with the 256th Combat Support Hospital (256th CSH). and worked with the Personnel (HR) department. Then after September 11th, 2001, I was re-assigned to the Tactical Operations Center (TOC). After being medically discharged due to injuries sustained in the line of duty, I stayed on with my unit and volunteered for 2 ½ years as the Family Readiness Group Leader, re-invigorating the program to become a supportive extension of the unit for the soldiers and their families. During my time as the FRG Leader, I upstarted a Food Pantry to assist the Unit’s service members struggling with food sustenance, coordinated a resource list of federal, state, and local support and assistance resource programs for soldiers and families, along with hosted “Readiness” educational weekend to ensure soldiers and Military Families were prepared for deployment. My Volunteerism as FRG Leader was officially recognized with a Commendation from the U.S. Department of the Army. I also worked in Social Services for over 20 years in a variety of roles, from Adult Advocacy Coordinator, Care Coordinator, Assertive Community Treatment Specialist, Adult Guardianship Services, Benefits Coordinator and Supported Employment Services, assisting individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Mental Health Conditions and Veterans alike.

As a Veteran living with Fibromyalgia, I identified the lack of support, healthcare options and education for those living with Fibromyalgia, especially Veterans. To address the gap in healthcare and community support, I founded the initiatives, “The Fibromyalgia Pain Chronicles” and “Veteran Voices For Fibromyalgia,” to address the inequities in healthcare, along with created #TeamFibro and #Paws4Fibro. Through these initiatives, I engage in VA Policy Advocacy, Legislative Advocacy and Systems Advocacy to emote positive change for those living with Fibromyalgia. I also provide support, educational resources, and advocate on behalf of those living with various Chronic Pain Conditions, Rare Diseases, PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The advocacy initiatives, on behalf of the Veteran and Fibromyalgia Communities, has been recognized by several organizations and received numerous awards.

I have served on the Health Union Patient Leader Committee, previously served 3 years as a Board of Trustee for the Fibromyalgia Care Society of America, along with served as a Board Member on the Wego Health Patient Advisory Board. In addition, I served on the Human Rights Committee of the Warrensville Hts. Ohio Developmental Center and served as the Advisor to People First of Cuyahoga County. Currently, I am a member of Society for Participatory Medicine, Social Health’s Patient Leader Network, the Savvy Cooperative and a member of the American Legion. Kristal was also Guest Editor and Writer for the 2024 edition for the Legislative Ohio Report.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
This question has always been tucked away in the quiet spaces of my mind. I was never one to be told who to be. When life scripts were handed to me, and labels were placed upon me, I would cast them off, not caring what others thought of me. When I was told to “figure out what I should do with my life,” I chose to live my life as a possibility of hope in the world, full of curiosities, and an untamed imagination. I spoke without fear of what others thought of me and had an unbridled belief in myself. I have no idea why I these traits were so ingrained in my psyche, but they are still there today, and are the leading, unseen forces guiding my path of advocacy.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
2014… In 2014, I stopped hiding behind my chronic pain and health struggles and parleyed it into the advocacy I do now. Despite my background in social services, healthcare and advocacy, I struggled for 14 years, where both the Veteran Affairs medical system and private healthcare system, failed to identify the cause of my unexplained symptoms. 2014 was a turning point in my life, it was when I was officially diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, after 14 years of symptoms, misdiagnoses, and a myriad of medical nuances. It was at this time, I realized that despite my professional experience, knowledge, and skill sets, if I struggled to have my medical issues diagnosed and addressed, then so are other patients like me. It was then I realized I wanted to support patients who experienced similar medical circumstances as I did. Thus, I created The Fibromyalgia Pain Chronicles to provide support, informative health content and resources, and information about patient rights. Then, in 2018, as a Veteran living with Fibromyalgia, I upstarted the nonprofit, Veteran Voices For Fibromyalgia, to support Veterans and Military Service Members living with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain conditions.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Dogs and coffee!!! While my friends would say that, joking aside, I believe my friends would say that integrity and humanity matters most to me. I believe integrity and humanity are the core values to keep us honest and make a positive impact in this world.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely! Advocating for marginalized communities is rooted in service and responsibility, not in the pursuit of recognition. The true essence of this work is being fully present to the unique challenges and experiences of individuals who have historically been overlooked. Effective advocacy requires attentive listening and a willingness to engage as an ally rather than as a savior, while fostering collaboration and dignity throughout the process. It is guided by empathy, a commitment to provide support where it is most needed, and an understanding that the advancement of one group is intrinsically linked to the well-being of all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.veteranvoicesforfibromyalgia.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefibropainchronicles/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristalk/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FibroPainChronicles
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thefibromyalgiapainchronicles
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/VeteranVoices4Fibro

Image Credits
Thomas Osbourne
WWII Army Veteran John Elliss
Ohio State Senator Tom Patton
Travis Mills
Natalie Herbeck