Index

Age: 24, Location:

When were you at your weakest:
After I was raped and didn't know where to go or what to do

When were you at your strongest:
Right after our house burned down and me and husband agreed to be in it forever gother

How are you feeling now:
Wonderful. I have a great husband and a great job

Age: 17, Location: New Zealand

When were you at your weakest:
I guess I was my weakest when I was being sexually abused when I was a child. He told me to not tell anyone, I didn't. I was a kid, didn't know it was wrong and there was nobody who could help me. This went on for around 4years.

When were you at your strongest:
When I met a really amazing friend who has supported me through all the tough times I have had. I really feel that when I finally let what happened to me out I was strong. I had courage to open up and im happy and proud of myself for doing that.

How are you feeling now:
These past couple of days I have been feeling good and bad. I have come to realise that some times it is really hard but then there are moments where you feel on top of the world. I have more self confidence and feel good right at the moment.

Age: 27, Location: Virginia

When were you at your weakest:
The spring/summer of 2003 after the father of my oldest child and then fiance dumped me back on my mothers door step with our 7/8 month old baby. I had been diagnosed with Bipolar DO shortly after her birth and then he took a job in another city and forced me to move there two hours away from everything I knew. Needless to say I didnt cope well couldnt get stabilized and he wasnt supportive at all. Not to mention we were very young...I was 18 and he was 20. So he got tired of me being ""crazy"" and dumped me and our daughter on my moms doorstep. From there I just fell apart in every way. My bipolar symptoms were out of control I was manic and rebellious and suicidal all at the same time. I wanted to go out and stay out all night couldnt focus on taking care of the baby etc. So I gave custody of her to his parents and proceeded to be wild and crazy. Met ppl I had no real business hanging out with bounced from guy to guy etc. Looking back Im REALLY lucky I didnt get hurt or even killed from some of the stupid stuff I did. I also had a strong addiction to cutting.

When were you at your strongest:
When I finally started getting my life back together. I went to nursing school in 2004 graduated with my LPN in 2005. That was the first major step in a LONG journey back to a stable sane life. I also faced up to my mental health issues (I was in denial for the longest time) got help meds etc. It was still an uphill battle and one I face every day.

How are you feeling now:
Today 9/13/11 I have to say Im feeling the best I think I have ever felt. I have a great supportive husband who has stuck by me through many trials and tribulations. In 2009 I gave birth to another beautiful baby girl and also got shared custody of my oldest daughter with her father. I still struggled with mood swings until very recently I sought out a new psychiatrist who right away put me on a med combo that has made me feel ALIVE. Im more motivated happy able to deal with stress etc. So now the next step in my journey is to start counseling for the sexual abuse I endured as a child which led to PTSD. Im scared but hopeful at the same time :)

Age: 46, Location: Australia

When were you at your weakest:
My first relationship.

When were you at your strongest:
Realised yoga gave me inner strength. It changed me.

How are you feeling now:
Am at peace and finally love and accept myself for ho I am.

Age: 44, Location: Vermont

When were you at your weakest:
When I was married

When were you at your strongest:
When I was single.

How are you feeling now:
Strong

Age: 28, Location: Damascus/Syria

When were you at your weakest:
when i lost my Brother

When were you at your strongest:
when i enter the College

How are you feeling now:
normal but thankful for everything...

Age: 37, Location: Chicago, Illinois

When were you at your weakest:
I have experienced the same weak moment twice in my lifetime! My first born son was born 7 weeks premature and had to be put on a respirator to help him breaath! I was only 22 years old at the time and seeing him in the NICU with all those tubes inserted into various parts of his tiny body just made me so sad for him, and so angry with God for putting us both in that situation! I did not know how I would make it through those 4 weeks he was hospitalized but with my family's help and support....we made it fine and today he is almost 15 years old with no major medical problems. When my second son was also born 7 weeks prematurely in 2004, I thought for sure God must've been angry with me for allowing this to happen yet again! He did not have breathing difficulities like his older sibling but he was diagnosed with a heart murmur and a very tiny hole in his heart. He also stayed in the NICU for almost 3 weeks before he was released home. After many trips to the cardiologist, and one surgery later, he is now a healthy 6 year old 1st grader and is very, very smart. I have since then decided this was my last child because I don't think I would have the strength to handle that again.

When were you at your strongest:
When I was 19 years old I was living with my first love and his parents far from my family when he became abusive verbally towards me. Even at such a young age I was smart enough and strong enough to remove myself from that situation before it could become physical. I refused to let a man ever put his hands on me!! I walked for over 2 hours to a landmark my parents would know, without any money, called my parents to pick me up and never, ever returned!! Needless to say, my mother was never more proud of me as she was then. She has since passed. God Bless her beautiful soul!

How are you feeling now:
Today, I feel I am stronger, wiser, and more well-rounded because of my past experiances in life! You have to be ready for whatever life has to throw at you, good or bad, take it all in, and come out the other side a better person!!

Age: 27, Location: South Africa

When were you at your weakest:
After experiencing rejection and failure

When were you at your strongest:
When I found out who I was and my true passion , and realized that it is ok to be me myself and not be apologetic for my existence .

How are you feeling now:
Im feeling hopeful and confident

Age: 40, Location: Raymond N.H.

When were you at your weakest:
Right now,,have lupus and fibro,and been dealing with a slum landlord,who is now evicting us..

When were you at your strongest:
When i had my youngest son.I didn't make it to the hospital and he was born in my livingroom.

How are you feeling now:
Lonrly,and trying to find a healthy,safe home for my kids and myself,,one we will want to come home to and invite friends to come spend time with us in.