Featured Profile
Fiery Inspiration… Kristina Ripatti
As a Fire-Fire or “Double Fire” Element profile it is no wonder Kristina’s name is synonymous with words like unstoppable, determined, inspirational and one of inexhaustible grit. Now a retired LAPD Officer, Kristina enjoys her days caring for her young daughter Jordan, and her recent miracle, her son Lucas Braeden.
It was on June 3, 2006 that Kristina’s life would change as she was shot by an armed robbery suspect and paralyzed from the chest down. To any one of us, this travesty would seem insurmountable, but in the true FIRE Ripatti style, Kristina forged through using the challenges and adversities as accelerant to burn even brighter, her passion ignited and her determination so blazing you may just get burned if you get too close!
Kristina made the decision to become a police officer at the age of 21 after attending several career fairs, but jokingly added at a speaking engagement that 21 Jump Street was her “motivation for becoming a cop.” Her true motivation… Loyalty and Justice. Even at the very early age of 5, Kristina recalls the pangs of injustice she experienced in her own life, and from that her motivation and determination became her life’s mission, which is to choose, create and defend loyalty, and uphold justice for everyone in her sphere of influence.
That sphere of influence continues to grow in the most outrageous and unimaginable way, and Kristina is both honored and humbled by the strangers who approach her with stories of their own tragedy and triumph, many sharing with her how her life has forever changed their lives in very positive and powerful ways. Kristina’s influence unknowingly has created additional opportunities for her to pursue her mission. She is asked on almost a monthly basis to be a motivational speaker at various events. She is the spokesperson for NuStep workout equipment, Operation Progress, and her own Train for Life Golf Challenge Events.
For this year’s Train For Life Golf Challenge event Kristina has partnered with Operation Progress to show her loyalty to fallen LAPD S.W.A.T. Officer Randall Simmons. Kristina will be presenting 4 students; two chosen by Operation Progress and two chosen by Randy Simmon’s wife from Simmon’s Glory Kids Outreach Ministry to receive college scholarships (for more information on Operation Progress or how to donate go to http://www.operationprogress.com).
Kristina now truly understands that one person can make a difference and hopes that others will join her in honoring the Legacy of Randall Simmons and others who commit their lives to making a difference in the lives of others.
Amazing stories of Kristina’s Ripatti’s life of triumph
Cornerstone Extreme Makeover Home Edition and Cornerstone's collaboration to build a new home.
Daily News "Paralyzed ex-police officer slowly builds a new life" and links to various stories.
NuStep "Transforming Lives: Kristina Ripatti"
National Review Online "Unstoppable: A Wounded Cop Gets A New Home"