We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kayla Jenkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kayla below.

Kayla, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Is there a lesson you learned in school that’s stuck with you and has meaningfully impacted your journey?

Throughout my scholastic career, the most important lesson I learned was adaptability. initially, I was married to my checklist–each item on the list had to be accomplished within the assigned timeline. However, my last year of law school was a painful reminder that I had to learn to be flexible and properly adapt to changes. In my final semester of law school, I experienced the onset of blindness. Everything from that point changed. I had to adapt to a new way of reading and taking notes. Also, I had to remind myself that it was okay to be flexible for my deadlines. This lesson has shaped how I now approach challenges in my life. As my journey continues, I am constantly adapting and extending myself grace to move at a different pace.

Kayla, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Kayla Jenkins, and my brand is Blind Faith: “Belief Without Perception,” meaning I do not have to see God working to know that He is working. Blind Faith is based on 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by FAITH and not by sight.” Blind Faith aspires to have a transformative impact on the world through our core values: Connect, Grow, and Transform. Connect: we aim to walk through the metamorphosis of life with people by loving them–We Love. Grow: we aim to empower people to discover their true identity in Christ–We Empower. Transform: we aim to serve people by effectuating change within so that they may change the world–We Serve. Our mission is not simply to inspire or motivate, but to transform lives!

Initially, Blind Faith was a journal of inspiration that I was developing during my time strengthening my relationship with God. It was not until a few years later that my family, friends, and church family encouraged me to develop it unto something more. After, I created Blind Faith social media accounts to begin posting with the intent of having an transformative impact. Based on that, I begin having opportunities to be booked as a speaker at different engagements. In addition, I am in the process of developing a devotional, journal, and book titled–“I Had to FAITH it to FACE it.”

Blind Faith service include bookings for speaking engagements, and one-on-one life coaching. Currently, the creative works include weekly devotionals and weekly small talks via social media. Blind Faith products include apparel, stationary, and totes. I am currently working to expand the product line.

I’m grateful that God has allowed me to turn my pain (battling blindness) to purpose (Blind Faith). Despite this battle, the goal and assignment has not changed–transformative impact. To potential clients, followers, or fans, my services, products, and creative works are not just a means of financial gain; this is my life. Every service, product, and creative work is built of faith with the intention to transform the lives of those near and far.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Since my initial diagnosis of Juvenile Open-Angle Glaucoma (JOAG); I have undergone several surgeries to save my remaining eyesight. I have had 2 implants inserted, a Cornea transplant, and additional laser procedures to help control my eye pressures. Currently, I am completely blind in my right eye (no light perception); for my left eye I do not have peripheral, limited central, and no depth perception. As a result, my occipital lobe (part of the brain responsible for all things sight) has been damaged. Not only am I currently battling blindness, but I am also battling Lupus. However, despite these battles, I still persevere, I did not allow these challenges to hinder me from receiving my law degree. I recall times when I had eye injection treatment and instead of going home, I would still attend class and actively participate.

I am currently in my final semester of seminary (graduate in May) and I have not allowed my diagnoses to prevent me from pressing forward. Sure, there are times when I am in experiencing great pain, but I try to have the perspective the “this is bigger than me, this is not about me, it is so others will be blessed by my story.”

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A key lesson I had to unlearn was the innate feeling to always be strong. Our culture falsely equates strength to lacking vulnerability. Earlier in life, I equated vulnerability to being weak, At the time, I did not realize the damage this line of thinking was creating. My need to “always be strong,” resulted in not having strong emotional or relational intelligence. I did not realize that my ideal of strength was amplifying pride because I refused to ask for help even when I truly needed it. There were many times I was suffering in silence. However, now I understand that strength does not equate to being emotionless or independent.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: blind.faith.movement
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1P9be3mhek/
• Other: TikTok: kaylajenkins9449