Sunderland Echo

How holistic therapy and crystals helped turn Kirsten’s life around

- Chris Cordner chris.cordner@jpimedia.co.uk @CCordnerjp­i

A Sunderland woman – who was on 40 medication­s a day – has transforme­d her life and now she’s in the running for an award.

Kirsten Lapping, 49, has a number of heath conditions including ME and fibro my algia. For more than 16 years, she was on prescribed medication which included steroids and spinal nerve injections.

But in 2017, Kirstenher life and used holistic methods with crystals to do it.

"Now I work full-time and I take no prescribed­said Kirsten, who added: “I feel the best I have ever felt.”

She spoke to the Echo after her business – the Frederick Street-based Crystal Moon Emporium – was nominated for the Portfolio Awards for the way it had helped people during lockdown.

The nomination said: “Kirsten has invisible illnesses and yet has a smile on her face and will chat to anyone and help them with their own problems.”

Crystal Moon is a shop downstairs which sells everything from crystals to incense, aromathera­py to cauldrons and gifts such as unicorns and dragons.

Upstairs, there is holistic wellbeing centre which is a community interest company. It has offered vital support to Wearside people during the lockdown.

The nomination added: “They need to blow their own trumpets a little more to get the recognitio­n they deserve as they have honestly been a lifesaver to a lot of people during this pandemic and it is a shame that a lot of people in charge of our city don't even know how much Crystal Moon does to help us vulnerable folk.

"They have given free meditation videos to a lot of mental health groups and are currentlyw­orking hard to deliver more free guides, workshops, treatments and products to those who need it.”

Despite her own ongoing health conditions, Kirsten remained modest about her own role.

She praised the hard work and support of her family and described her customers as ‘amazing.

The latest Portfolio Awards were launched last year when Coun Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council which is once again the headline sponsor, said Wearside had ‘faced economic crises head-on and come through them with the same steadfast focus and work ethic’.

We are also delighted to welcome on board the partner sponsors for this year’s awards and they include Gentoo, the Autism Society, Station Taxis and Bradley Hall.

All of the chosen finalists will get to attend the grand finale in November.

To nominate, email lynn. wild@jpimedia.co.uk. You can also find out more at https://www.portfoliob­usinessawa­rds.co.uk/portfolioa­wards2021/en/page/home

Categories are: Small Business of the Year; Medium Businessof the Year; Large Business of the Year; Employer of the Year; Apprentice of the Year;

Technology of the Year; City Centre Business of the Year; Creative Industries Award; Sole Trader of the Year; New Business of the Year; Special Community Business Award; Best Green Business Award;

Social Enterprise Award; Best Training Provider Award; Exporter of the Year; Women in Business Award; Leisure Business Award; Lifetime Achievemen­t Award; Overall Business of the Year.

 ??  ?? Kirsten being presented with the Judges Choice Award at the Wearside Women in Business awards in 2019.
Kirsten being presented with the Judges Choice Award at the Wearside Women in Business awards in 2019.
 ??  ?? Kirsten Lapping, of the Crystal Moon Emporium, which has been nominated for a Portfolio Award.
Kirsten Lapping, of the Crystal Moon Emporium, which has been nominated for a Portfolio Award.
 ??  ?? Kirsten pictured in her shop.
Kirsten pictured in her shop.

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