I have wanted to start a non profit organization for several years but did not have the full concept of what it would be until recently. I have always told my kids to “dream for the stars” because this is what my mother always told me. I believe in them, as she did me, and know they can accomplish absolutely anything, whether it is academics, sports, or life. But what happens if you don’t have that kind of support. What happens if you keep your dreams to yourself because you are afraid you wont succeed or people will laugh at you? What if you are told you can’t succeed over and over again. People believe what they are told and they will shy away from any big dreams or life changing opportunity to avoid presumed failure. I would like to change that and give people a star to dream for, thus Giving Stars!

When I was in medical school in the 1990’s in Nashville I had a meeting with my advisor to discuss my future. I was excited, this was the meeting I had been waiting for to plan my future. When I informed him I wanted to be an Orthopedic Surgeon he didn’t smile or say anything positive. Much to my surprise he looked startled and said, “oh no sweetie, girls aren’t surgeons”. He flat out told me I couldn’t be an Orthopedic Surgeon, my lifelong dream and reason I went to medical school. I did not know what to do, my mentor did not believe in me… I left our meeting and felt like I had been punched in the gut. I cried and then dug deep and decided that I would become an Orthopedic Surgeon no matter what. I felt empowered with that decision to continue my dream! I am a very gritty hard working person and I knew I could do it. Truthfully it was also partly to prove him wrong and show him I was worthy of being a surgeon. So why did I continue to pursue my dream instead of letting it go? I believe it is because I always had the support of a loving family, my mother in particular believed I could do anything. She always taught me to dream big and that I could accomplish whatever I wanted if I worked hard enough towards my goal. I had been successful in life so far so why stop trying now. Can you imagine what my life would look like if I didn’t push for my dream? I would not be an Orthopedic Hand Surgeon, that is for certain!

For the majority of people it is far easier to live up to people’s low expectations of them then it is to get gritty and tough and push for the stars. I have founded Giving Stars with the help of my board to help mentor and support people to dream big and attain their goals. I hope to change peoples lives by helping them have true clarity with their dreams and determine the steps needed to achieve success. I believe in people and truly think most of us have not achieved our true potential. We let our life circumstances define us rather than our dreams. Giving Stars will be mentoring people to help them dream bigger and will grant funds for items that can help with these dreams. People will fill out a simple application for a grant for something tangible for supplies, education, guidance needed to reach a dream. I don’t mean supporting an entire college education but maybe funding the prep classes needed to achieve a test score that will allow admission into college or graduate school. In return I will ask them to allow me to post their story to inspire others. I hope to make a change at the grass roots level and actually make and see a difference in individuals. This is my true passion in life, to help others! I am blessed to have a fantastic board of very successful women supporting Giving Stars. Thank you Alison, Jenni, Jodi, and Haley! I truly believe Giving Stars will make a difference in many, many lives.

Traci Barthel, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
Founder and Board Member Giving Stars