“I was awakened for the next three nights at 3 a.m. by the bright light of her cell-phone in my face, highlighting the picture of a puppy. ‘Please?’ she begged. In a moment of grief, I felt called to act.”
‘We have a kitten with no eyes.’ He looked like a mini Frankenstein monster. Instantly, we became advocates.’: Couple shares animal rescue missions, ‘I never planned to own my own personal zoo’
‘It HAS to get better!’ I didn’t want divorce. But dating sounded AWFUL. We both ate our words.’: Single mom finds love after heartbreak, ‘I’m the happiest I’ve been’
“My world shattered before me. Everything I thought I knew was put into question. I told myself ‘I’m not dating ANYONE for at least a few years!’”
‘Your chances of naturally conceiving are less than 1%.’ I’d spent half my life dreaming of being a mom. I was shattered.’: Couple share ‘miraculous’ parenthood journey, ‘Life is precious’
“We closed the door on having biological children. I woke up to ten missed calls from my husband. ‘I know how we’re going to grow our family!’ We’d just found our greatest blessing.”
‘What if I don’t feel good or get sick?’ I was nervous to leave the house. I let the ‘what ifs’ have control over me.’: Woman shares mental health journey, ‘Don’t be afraid to get help’
“As the years went on, the anxiety would come and go in waves. I’d have nights where I would lay in bed and not be able to sleep because of all the anxious thoughts racing through my head. I knew my fears were irrational, but I still let them control me.”
‘You’re bleeding behind your eyes.’ I drank to forget the pain. Internally, I was completely dead. I’d never felt so alone.’: Man details addiction recovery journey, ‘I completely changed my life’
“I was walking to my dealer’s car when suddenly four police cars turned up. You’d be amazed at how blind when you are in full-blown addiction. I didn’t care what happened to me.”
‘I’ll just get a few to hold me over.’ That one trip turned into 4 years. I couldn’t believe that little pill had total control over my life.’: Woman overcomes addiction, ‘You’re not alone’
“On days I was running low on pills, I’d be so irritable and on edge. I wanted help so badly, but I was so ashamed. I’d go to his house to steal pills. How did I let this happen? Oh my God, I am a drug addict.”
‘You don’t deserve to die.’ Seeing the number on the scale became an obsession. I struggled to find the strength to fight.’: Teen recovers from eating disorder, ‘You can set yourself free’
“I lost all energy whatsoever. My dad would come to my bedside when I couldn’t move a muscle without screaming and beg me to eat. ‘I want Louise back.’ I wasn’t able to carry on much longer.”
‘Do you have any concerns?’ The mood shifted. I half-expected her to say, ‘I’m concerned he’s too good looking!’ The punchline never came.’: Mom gives birth to baby with Down syndrome
“She took him into her arms. ‘It’s not an ‘I’m sorry.’ It’s just different.’ I loved him, but I was scared. She helped us see he was the same beautiful baby we were elated with mere minutes before.”