Carolyn Staffieri is a woman of strength, compassion, and creativity—a poet, author, speaker, and former pediatric nurse whose journey through epilepsy has become the wellspring of her literary voice. Through her words and life, Carolyn offers an enduring message of faith, hope, and the quiet power of resilience.
Before she was an Amazon #1 bestselling author, Carolyn spent much of her life caring for others. Her nursing career focused on pediatric and neonatal intensive care, where she worked with the most vulnerable of patients. But everything changed when epilepsy entered her life, an invisible storm that would challenge her health and ultimately halt her vocation.
For more than three decades, Carolyn has lived with epilepsy—a condition that reshaped her life in profound ways. The unpredictability of seizures forced her to step away from her role as a nurse, but it also led her toward another calling. “When epilepsy became a part of my life story more than thirty years ago,” Carolyn says, “I was left asking, why me?” That question became the seed of something new. Her faith, her family, and her need to process the unexpected inspired her to pick up a pen and begin writing poetry.
What began as a personal coping tool soon bloomed into something much more. Carolyn’s poetry found its way into the hearts of others, especially those experiencing illness, grief, or loss. Her debut poetry collection, With Me: A Poetic Expression of God’s Faithfulness, is more than just a book—it’s a reflection of a life anchored in grace and purpose despite the storms.
Published in its first edition in 2023 and re-released in 2025, With Me captures the many emotional dimensions of living with unanswered questions. While it does not focus solely on epilepsy, the collection speaks deeply to those who have faced hardship. “If you’ve ever found your world upended without an explanation, or found yourself asking ‘why me, God?’ you are not alone,” she writes in her author message.
Carolyn’s work is rooted in the universal themes of hope, family, and overcoming. Each poem is a quiet companion to anyone navigating loss, illness, or difficult change. Through lyrical verses, she invites readers to place their own “why me?” into the lines, offering space to grieve, to reflect, and—most importantly—to heal.
Her influences range from the timeless wisdom of C.S. Lewis to the lyrical depth of the Book of Psalms. She also draws inspiration from Ruth Bell Graham and George Mueller, as well as the hope-filled music that has accompanied her journey. The spiritual grounding in her work is not rigid but deeply personal, flowing from the lived experience of someone who has had to wrestle with questions and lean hard into faith.
Beyond the pages of her book, Carolyn is active in her community, using her platform to advocate for epilepsy awareness. Her personal journey has given her a unique voice in this space—not one of statistics or clinical terms, but of lived truth. She speaks not as a patient or even a nurse, but as a woman who has endured and emerged with wisdom to share.
“Epilepsy took a lot from me,” she admits, “but it also gave me a way to encourage others. It taught me the beauty of grace for today and the joy that still exists in every season.” Carolyn has turned her struggle into service, speaking publicly about epilepsy and the importance of emotional and spiritual support for those who live with chronic illness.
She continues to connect with audiences both online and in person. Her next scheduled poetry reading is set for October 2, 2025, at Pebbles and Lace Boutique, with additional events to follow throughout October and November. Through these engagements, she brings her words off the page, allowing listeners to experience the emotion and strength behind each poem.
Her message resonates widely with teens and adults alike—anyone over the age of 14 who has faced adversity or sought comfort through creative expression. For lovers of poetry, and for those searching for encouragement during dark times, Carolyn’s work offers a lifeline.
Carolyn is also a proud wife, mother of two, and grandmother. Her personal life, just like her poetry, reflects a deep commitment to love, healing, and purpose. She balances her roles with grace, remaining grounded in the belief that God’s faithfulness is constant—even in the unknown.
For those interested in her poetry, With Me: A Poetic Expression of God’s Faithfulness is available on Amazon, as well as through select boutique and local retailers including Pebbles and Lace Boutique and Welcome Home Thrift and More. More information, poems, and event details can be found on her official website, carolynspoetry.com. Her social media platforms (@carolynspoetry on Instagram and Facebook) offer readers a window into her process, her upcoming appearances, and new reflections on life, faith, and resilience.
Carolyn Staffieri’s story is one of unexpected transformation—from nurse to poet, from patient to advocate, from silence to voice. Her life is proof that even through the trials of illness and loss, creativity, faith, and love can still bloom.
