Mallory Smith was three when she was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Despite understanding from a young age that she would never lead a normal life, Mal was determined to 'live happy', a mantra she carried in her heart as she excelled academically, trained as an athlete and had a profound impact on all who knew her. Even when she contracted a lethal superbug at the age of fifteen, Mallory continued to rage against the illness that tried to bind her to a life of hospital rooms and respiratory tubes - so she would not 'just end up as ashes scattered in the ocean and nothing else.' After her death, she left instructions to her mother to publish her secret diaries - revealing untold struggles, teenage dreams, wisdom beyond her years and a deep, primal desire to leave her mark on this world.
Equally uplifting and heart-rending, devastating and inspiring, Salt in My Soul is the extraordinary story of a girl who wanted to be nothing but ordinary, and changed the lives of others through her hope, resilience and boundless empathy.
Mallory Smith was a freelance writer and editor specializing in environmental, social justice and healthcare-related communications. She graduated from Stanford University and worked as a senior producer at Green Grid Radio, an environmental storytelling radio show and podcast. Her radio work has been featured on KCRW, National Radio Project and State of the Human. She passed away at the age of 25, two months after receiving a double lung transplant.