“I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance, it’s crossing your fingers when the map doesn’t make sense, when the compass doesn’t know truly north from truly lost; and it’s up to you, you and your gut and your mettle, your level of resilience, and your wealth of wisdom to persevere to get to the other side. Never settle for the path of least resistance. Take a chance, take a ticket, take a fast train to the coast, no guts, no glory. It’s risky breathing, let alone needing, trusting, reaching out. Life is the leap of faith, the bold of declaration of hope.” This is one of Cristina “Kiting” Aberasturi’s favourite excerpts from a book entitled I Hope You Dance.
It was around five years ago when Kiting found out that she was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa, an eye problem that causes retinal degeneration, which can lead to complete blindness at a later age. Although constant research is being done at this stage, still no cures have been found. “I realized that to live happily in this world, you should be doing something that you are passionate about and not merely because it’s practical and pays the bills. Many of us have forgotten our dreams and don’t go on pursuing it because we all get caught up in an environment so practical and easy that we are afraid to deviate from it,” she points out.
“When I found out about my condition, I fought doing what I love the most, which is fashion school and that’s how I got myself into doing fashion accessories,” she says. “But it is ironic because my passion in life completely contradicts to my eye problem. My doctor once warned me that I was doing something very visual and could worsen my problem. But because this is really something I wanted to do for a long time, I have decided that I will continue to do so for as long as I have my eyesight. But you know what? This passion of mine has actually made me see things better,” she says with a smile.
When Kiting was living in the Philippines, she was hoping to improve her craft, but admitting the sluggish dynamism in the art and fashion scene, she had felt that she was losing her creativity. Kiting is currently living in London (where she moved just a few months ago) looking for inspiration. Another reason is because she is closer to the Moorfields Eye Hospital where they do extensive research on her condition. But later this year, she will work for a jewellery designer in Central London. “I found the job vacancy on the internet so I applied and I was told that I was accepted to do an internship,” she happily shares.
Kiting is currently living with an English family, where she does part-time babysitting of a little boy named Iñigo. “I am working hard because I didn’t want to get financial support from my parents. I just really want to experience what it is like living in the real world,” she admits.
For those who are holding back their dreams, this is what she has to say: “Don’t be afraid because if you really want something, all you just have do is to make it happen. It will never be easy, but you will get there somehow.”
Kiting’s words have truly been an inspiration. She has created the right image by gladly sharing it with others. She is a very special person who has such a tremendous connection with people. Kiting will surely find bigger success in the near future and will surely make her family proud.