• More More

Search

My Account Logout
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • twitter
  • other
  • NEWS + FEATURES
  • VIDEO
  • FILMS
  • SERIES
  • INTERACTIVE
  • COMMUNITY
  • DATABANK
  • DISNEY+
  • More More
My Account Logout
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • twitter
  • other

ALL OF YOUR STAR WARS FAVORITES NOW STREAMING ON DISNEY+

All

  • Andor
  • Behind the Scenes
  • Books + Comics
  • Characters + Histories
  • Collecting
  • Creativity
  • Disney Parks
  • Disney+
  • Events
  • Fans + Community
  • Films
  • Force For Change
  • Forces of Destiny
  • Galaxy of Adventures
  • Games + Apps
  • ILMxLAB
  • In Pop Culture
  • Interviews
  • LEGO Star Wars
  • Lucasfilm
  • Merchandise
  • Obi-Wan Kenobi
  • Opinions
  • Quizzes + Polls
  • Recipes
  • Rogue One
  • Solo
  • Star Wars Celebration
  • Star Wars Day
  • Star Wars Rebels
  • Star Wars Resistance
  • Television
  • The Bad Batch
  • The Book of Boba Fett
  • The Clone Wars
  • The Force Awakens
  • The High Republic
  • The Last Jedi
  • The Mandalorian
  • The Rise of Skywalker
  • The Star Wars Show
  • Visions
{:title=>"Fans + Community", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/fans-+-community"}

This Holiday Season, I Am So Thankful For YOU!

November 27, 2012
November 27, 2012
Ashley Eckstein

I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving! If you are an international fan, reading this outside of the US, I hope you had a wonderful and relaxing weekend. Here in the US, we like to eat turkey on Thanksgiving, and, in my case, lots of desserts. However, my baking did not turn out so well this past weekend: I took my brownies out of the oven to see if they were done, and when I decided to put them back in for a few more minutes...the pan flew out of my hands and onto the floor!

NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Oh well, we still had plenty of food to go around and lots of laughs at my butter-fingers! My two little kids were very hungry and had a great time too...


The Kids Table...

I'm sure you can tell that things are very formal in the Eckstein household...hehe. But I digress...


This past weekend, I had a chance to reflect on how grateful I am for YOU, the Star Wars fans! I have been a part of this community now for almost seven years, publicly for five, and you have truly changed my life. Whether or not you accept my character, Ahsoka Tano, you all have embraced me and my family personally, and I can't thank you enough for your continued support.


I'd like to share with you one person in particular that I am thankful for this holiday season, because a short time ago, we almost lost her. It was Labor Day weekend 2010 and I was working my Her Universe booth at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA, when a girl in a wheelchair quietly came up to me to introduce herself. Her name was Erin Kelahan and at that moment, I knew there was something very special about this girl. We loved a lot of the same things -- Star Wars, Alice in Wonderland -- and we bonded over our similar geeky interests. Erin blew me away with the fact that she has read every single Star Wars book ever written! I even did an interview with her because I was so impressed with this accomplishment!


I kept in touch with Erin online and at Dragon*Con the past couple years, and as I learned more about Erin's story, I was beyond inspired. Erin has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which means she has extremely fragile bones. She has dealt with surgeries, wheelchairs, and limitations her whole life. However, I can honestly say that one of the most positive people I have ever met is Erin Kelahan. When I asked her to tell me about her disability, she proudly told me her story and did not ever want my sympathy or pity. In fact, Erin's story was a message of hope, overcoming the odds, and reaching for the stars. Within five minutes of talking to Erin, you realize that her personality is bigger than any physical impairment one may see. She is a dynamo and the Force is STRONG with this girl.

Me and Erin at Dragon*Con 2010!
Me and Erin at Dragon*Con 2010!

This fall, I was informed that Erin and her friend were in a very serious car accident. Another driver came into their lane and hit them head on. Both girls survived, but this accident was nearly fatal. Erin was spared any head or internal injuries, but was left with 22 bone fractures (her pelvis, both legs, foot, wrist, ribs, sternum, and clavicle) and needed months of recovery and physical therapy. After several surgeries and weeks in the hospital, Erin is now at home and going through rigorous, daily physical therapy to regain her independence.

I wanted to share Erin's story with you because if there is one thing we know how to do as a community, it's to rally around someone when they are in need. We know how to lift someone up and give them hope! I ask that you help me send the Force to Erin. She is strong and I know that she WILL get through this, but we can make it a lot easier for her with our well wishes and inspiration. You can find out more about Erin's story through her Give Forward page or you can follow Erin on Twitter at @seashell_girl, and message her directly.

So, that's what I was thinking about this weekend. I am SO thankful to have Erin Kelahan here with us and I am SO thankful for all of YOU! I feel very blessed to be a part of this special family!

May The Force Be With You!

ashleyAshley Eckstein is the voice of Ahsoka Tano on Star Wars: The Clone Wars and also the founder of Her Universe, the first merchandise line made exclusively for female Star Wars fans! You can follow Ashley on Facebook and Twitter.

Ashley Eckstein

Related Stories

  • {:title=>"Fans + Community", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/fans-+-community"}

    Happy Holidays from StarWars.com

    December 23, 2022

    December 23, 2022

    Dec 23

  • {:title=>"Fans + Community", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/fans-+-community"} {:title=>"Recipes", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/recipes"}

    StarWars.com Fan Spotlight: As Blue Milk Mama, Jacquelyn Smith Bakes Up Delectable Desserts

    November 4, 2022

    November 4, 2022

    Nov 4

  • {:title=>"Fans + Community", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/fans-+-community"} {:title=>"Characters + Histories", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/characters-+-histories"}

    Bring Us “Pan Solo” and a Cookie

    November 4, 2022

    November 4, 2022

    Nov 4

  • {:title=>"Fans + Community", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/fans-+-community"}

    StarWars.com Fan Spotlight: Isabella Holguin’s High Republic Cosplay Is For Light and Life

    October 6, 2022

    October 6, 2022

    Oct 6

  • {:title=>"Fans + Community", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/fans-+-community"} {:title=>"Collecting", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/collecting"}

    StarWars.com Fan Spotlight: Bill McBride’s Most Impressive Darth Vader Collection

    September 20, 2022

    September 20, 2022

    Sep 20

  • {:title=>"Fans + Community", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/fans-+-community"} {:title=>"Interviews", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/interviews"}

    Jump to Lightspeed with Road Squadron

    June 23, 2022

    June 23, 2022

    Jun 23

  • {:title=>"Interviews", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/interviews"}

    How Ashley Eckstein Crafted Star Wars Mindful Matters for Fans of All Ages

    June 10, 2022

    June 10, 2022

    Jun 10

  • {:title=>"Fans + Community", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/fans-+-community"} {:title=>"Interviews", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/interviews"}

    StarWars.com Fan Spotlight: Welcome to Johna and Maria's Geeky Bubble

    May 3, 2022

    May 3, 2022

    May 3

  • More From Star Wars:
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
    • SWKids
    • Terms of Use
    • Additional Content Information
    • Privacy Policy
    • Children's Online Privacy Policy
    • Your California Privacy Rights
    • Star Wars at shopDisney
    • Star Wars Helpdesk
    • Interest-Based Ads
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved