Living Without Limits. Korrin Barrett's Journey of Resilience and Adventure

When life changes in an instant, you have two choices: let it define you, or let it empower you.

Growing up in New Zealand, my childhood was full of challenges that would unknowingly prepare me for the toughest battle of my life. From a young age, I learned the importance of resilience, independence, and adapting to circumstances beyond my control. Those early experiences taught me that while life might not always be fair, how you respond to it makes all the difference. They gave me the inner grit and strength I would later draw on when facing unimaginable change.

In 2012, my life was turned upside down when a sudden and severe illness led to the amputation of both my arms and legs. I spent seven and a half months in hospital fighting for my life and learning to live it all over again. But from the moment I woke up and realised what had happened, I made a choice: I will not be limited by my circumstances, and I will embrace life with both hands, even if they looked a little different now.

I don't live life by what I've lost, I live by what I'm willing to embrace. Every day is an opportunity to live boldly, live fully, and live without limits.

Returning to the professional world after such a life-altering event was never going to be easy, but it was a challenge I welcomed. As Traffic and Transport Manager on the APLNG Gas Pipeline Project in Australia, I had led a team of civil engineers, negotiated multimillion-dollar contracts, and managed complex stakeholder relationships. When I returned to complete my contract, this time in a wheelchair as a quad amputee, it wasn’t just about finishing the job. It was about proving to myself and others that resilience, determination, and leadership aren't diminished by disability; they are redefined by it.

Today, advocacy is at the heart of everything I do. I proudly serve on several boards, including the Amputees Federation of New Zealand, Sport Hawke’s Bay – Tu Manawa Funding Panel, Presbyterian Support East Coast, and the Adaptive Whakauru Tahi Trust. I am also actively involved in broader disability and advocacy initiatives, such as Amputee Society of Hawke’s Bay/East Coast, NZ Sepsis Trust, Napier City Council, Heretaunga District Council, as a Peer Support Volunteer for Peke Waihanga, a brand ambassador for Taska and I continue to provide mentoring to amputees worldwide. I believe representation matters and it's crucial that lived experience drives real-world decisions.

My passion for empowering others has also taken me into new and exciting spaces. Through my podcast, Korrin - Life Unlimited, I share conversations with empowering women about resilience, leadership, and living without limits. I want people to hear authentic stories of courage and ambition and know that no matter the obstacles, they too can live boldly.

Outside of my keynote speaking, volunteer work and advocacy, life is full of adventures. I now live in a beautiful part of New Zealand with my husband Craig and beautiful fur baby Raymond. When I’m not nursing an injury (which seems to happen often) I like to keep fit with chair yoga workouts, riding a bike at the gym or just going for a walk with a friend. I’ve even entered the upcoming Hawke’s Bay Marathon 10km Walk, which should be interesting with next to zero training! I also love to travel, whether it’s exploring new countries, trying new experiences, or sipping cocktails at sunset, I’m constantly reminded that the world has no shortage of wonders, and that adventure doesn’t stop when life changes; it just looks a little different. I firmly believe that life is meant to be lived fully, and without fear.

Living with limb difference has taught me that life isn’t about what happens to you, it’s how you respond to it. Every experience, every challenge, and every triumph adds to the rich tapestry of who we are. I’ve also learned that bad days and setbacks are always going to happen, the key is to embrace it, do whatever it is that you need to do to overcome it but don’t allow it to creep into the next day.

As I often say, "Your limits aren't defined by what you've lost, but by what you're willing to embrace. Live boldly, live fully, and live without limits."