Index

Age: 43, Location: Australia

When were you at your weakest:
I was at my weakest after 4 years of emotional, psychological, financial & sexual abuse at the hand of an employer. The slow creep into his hell caused me to lose myself and nearly lose my life & soul from the experience. I suffered complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and severe depression which is ongoing for the 6 years since I came out to the Company Board of Directors with what was going on. They let me go as an employee, also terminating the abuser who was CEO and then led me through 2 years of legal hell fighting my case...secondary trauma!

When were you at your strongest:
I was at my strongest just a minute ago as I have learned to manage the worst symptoms of my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder by continual awareness of the moment, that I have survived, I am safe now and I am strong.

How are you feeling now:
Each day is different but with the love & support of family, friends and a great therapist coupled with my determination to minimise his impact on the rest of my life I fight each day for the right to life a full and rich life. I am winning.

Age: 27, Location: Houston

When were you at your weakest:
I was at my weakest when I was 16 years old. I was completely under the control of several mental illnesses at once: untreated bipolar, complex posttraumatic stress disorder, and dissociative identity disorder. I was also self-injuring, and was severely bulimic and anorexic; I weighed only 68 lbs. I was dying. I could hardly hold a coherent conversation, yet I thought that I was fine. I thought I was finally in control of myself, and I was finally ok. I was so sick that even my therapist said she couldn't help me anymore, and would not see me again until I went into the hospital because, as she put it, ""I refuse to sit here and watch you die while we talk like nothing is happening."" I can't say that I blame her.

When were you at your strongest:
Age 26- about seven months ago. I had to let go of my father. When I was a child, he abused my mother, my sister, and me in every way imaginable. I was raped, hit, you name it. But from the time I was 15, my father financially supported my psychiatric and medical treatment, as well as other things. For over 10 years, we had this strange little dance of a ""relationship""- I needed money, he provided it- and I literally couldn't afford to turn that away. This past year though, I finally got myself into place where I could. I live with my mom. I have public health care. And I had to work through this idea that my father never really cared about me- he just wanted one last way to control and manipulate me. Cutting that tie was like killing the dream of ever having a father to love me. But I am so glad that I did, because now I am completely free of him for the first time in my life. It took enormous strength to go through that process and I am incredibly proud of myself for doing so.

How are you feeling now:
I am at the strongest, healthiest, most stable place I have ever been in my life. I have recovery and an unshakable self-respect that no one can take away from me. I have found my voice, something that was lost for so long, and now I use it to help others heal. I began a blog called Writing for Recovery (on facebook and wordpress) that encourages people to tell their stories. I'm going to school and looking toward my future with nothing but hope and gratitude. So, so much gratitude.

Age: 36, Location: Lubbock, Texas

When were you at your weakest:
i was at my weakest, while i was being abused...dad, grandfather, two uncles. sexually, physically, emotionally...everything. recently, i realized that i was still allowing my father to abuse me emotionally every chance he got even tho i had already discussed boundaries with him. i felt so low :(

When were you at your strongest:
i was at my strongest point ever in my life, when i finally was able to break free from those family members who abused me. grandfather died, but i haven't spoken to my dad in almost two years. hard for me, cuz family is everything to me...but i had to stand up for myself. i was so tired of being angry and upset all the time.

How are you feeling now:
well, actually, this may seem weak, but i miss my family. i have my own little one, my husband and daughter...but it's hard to think my father doesn't accept me the way i am and not the way that he thinks i should be. but over all, i'm doing well! strongest i've ever been, and would love to help others!

Age: 50, Location: Netherlands

When were you at your weakest:
When i was 24 and had my first child.

When were you at your strongest:
right now Kids have grown and the mother-job has changed there is more time to work for me.

How are you feeling now:
aware of me and my talents

Age: 52, Location: Canada

When were you at your weakest:
When my ex moved for work purposes and took my 2year old and 5 years old boys 2000 miles away. They returned to live with me at the age of 13 for each son. I had a phone relationship with them for all of those years and would split plane fare when I could to have them out for the summer months. When I couldn't though, my ex would pay their way. Missing them was so consuming.Another time that was a very hard time in my life was when my Dad passed away and then my Mom dies two months later. and an affair from my second marriage ripped the rest of my heart out.

When were you at your strongest:
When I believed in God.

How are you feeling now:
I have comfort knowing that God will never give you more than you can handle!

Age: 18, Location: Columbia

When were you at your weakest:
When I was seven right after I had been raped. I gave up and let people treat me anyway they wanted to. I gave up on God.

When were you at your strongest:
My freshman year, I stood up for what I wanted, told my parents about the rape and sexually abuse. I felt like my life was heading in the right direction.

How are you feeling now:
Right this min. I'm more and more depressed each day. I don't talk to my parents. Get no sleep bc I keeping having dreams about the rape. I'm unhappy and scared. I think about giving up all the time.

Age: 24, Location: Dereham, Norfolk, England

When were you at your weakest:
I was at my weakest over my teenage years, i was abused as a child but the effect of it didnt really come to play until i turned 11, this lasted for many years and came out in many different forms that varied from fear to self harm. I think there is a huge difference between being weak and being vulnrable. I was at my most vulnrable when i was gripped by an eating disorder because i didnt have control over myself where as when your abused you dont have control over the other person.

When were you at your strongest:
When i got on a plane for the first time and flew to India to live there for 2 1/2 months with a group of people that i didnt know to teach children English and Maths. I did it despite being low in confidence, without ever being on a plane previous and doing it without the support of my family but with amazing support from friends.

How are you feeling now:
I now live in a town away from where i grew up and away from a very negative and destructive family, ive been here a short amount of time but everything is clearer and im now more certain than ever that i am capable of so much more. Im empowered enough to know i can have a safe relationship, settle down and start a family.... and be a mum to those children i may have in a way that my mum wasnt for me.

Age: 33, Location:

When were you at your weakest:
I think right now, because I want to change my job, because I am not appreciate for what I am doing!

When were you at your strongest:
In 1992 , When I saw MJ live!

How are you feeling now:
somewhere between sad nd hope!

Age: 40, Location: rochester,ny

When were you at your weakest:
when i was being sexually abused by my father and being beat by my children's father

When were you at your strongest:
when I left my children's father

How are you feeling now:
depressed