Stephanie Bolinger, A Suicide Survivor
From Trauma To Triumph
To
Introduction To Me
Hello, I am Stephanie Bolinger
Hi there! I am Steph Bolinger a totally blind suicide attempt survivor dedicating my second chance at life to sharing my story as a way to help others know that they are not alone and that it’s strength, not weakness to reach out for help! God saved my life when I wanted to live the least so follow along to see the beauty he has created in me since that tragic day in July of 2011!
Steph’s BIO
Stephanie serves her community in many facets as a Community Outreach Ambassador of United Way, Community Outreach Ambassador of Independence for the Blind, is a community volunteer in the Village, promotes inward health and wholeness by raising awareness for suicide with Pensacola Survivors, NAMI Pensacola, Escarosa Coalition for Suicide Prevention and diligently works towards helping the medical field understand the need for better mental health patient care alongside other peers who are a part of the Peer to Peer Coalition among many other organization volunteer activities.
From Trauma To Triumph, LLC. is a company formed by Stephanie to utilize the income she makes from her speaking engagements as well as other hired duties to serve individuals like herself in the ways that helped her during her beginning years of recovery and to assist her in her personal growth.
Her efforts offer peer healing support through sharing her story on a variety of media outlets, speaking engagements, sharing resources as well as a myriad of other ways to bring uplifting and encouraging messages for individuals who battle depression, thoughts of suicide or have attempted suicide.
Stephanie also formed her own program within local schools where she speaks to students about what it is like to live with a disability, overcoming adversity and not bullying others. When Stephanie is not working or volunteering her time with non-profit organizations or individuals in need within the community she enjoys spending her spare time with family and friends, playing with her and her husbands rescue dog Marble, paddle boarding at the beach or dancing up a storm at the local dance studio as an interpretive ballroom dancer.
Stephanie has been chosen as An Angel In Our Midst, has been featured in Pensacola News Journal, Bella Magazine as well as other papers and magazines throughout the nine years since she suddenly became blind due to a severe head trauma caused by a suicide attempt in 2011.
Stephanie Bolinger
Employment:
From Trauma To Triumph, LLC.
Owner & Operator
2020- Present
Self-employed
Web Accessibility Analyst & Consultant
2/1/18- present
Education:
Certified Peer Counselor, WRAP Training Certification
9/16/19
Deque University
Obtained 26 Web Accessibility Certifications
11/1/18- 1/1/19
Independence for the Blind
Jaws Certificate of Completion
Obtained 9/1/15
Central High School
High School Diploma
Obtained 5/1/04
Community Positions:
NAMI Pensacola
Volunteer
10/1/19- Present
Escarosa Suicide Prevention Coalition
Member
10/1/19- Present
Peer to Peer Coalition
Peer Member
10/1/19- Present
From Trauma; To Triumph Assn.
Founder & President
8/1/19- 5/1/2020
Support Group Facilitator
8/1/19- 5/1/2020
The Village
Village Volunteer
10/1/18- present
Independence for the Blind of West Florida
Eye Ball Chairperson
8/1/18- 8/1/19
Board Member
11/1/17- 11/1/19
Eye Ball Planning Committee Member
3/1/15- 8/1/19
Outreach Ambassador/Inspirational Public Speaker
Key Note Speaker for organizations such as:
From Trauma; To Triumph Assn.
NAMI Pensacola
United Way of Pensacola
Pensacola Survivors
Local Public School System
Independence for the Blind
International Paper etc.
7/12/11- present
Acknowledgements:
Wear 3 News
Pensacola News Journal
Pensacola Magazine
Bella Magazine
Milton Post
Fred Astaire Magazine
Cat Country Radio
Awards:
Women’s Empowerment 2020 Woman of Service Nominee
Women’s Empowerment 2019 Woman of Service Finalist
2017 Volunteer of the Year
2015 WEAR 3 News Angels in our Midst
2016 & 2018 Life’s A Dance Dancer for Covenant Care with ABC’s Dancing With The Stars professionals