“My bump was finally starting to pop! I was on cloud nine. I had so many plans… and then the world was tipped upside down. I wanted to run and hide my baby from this horrible virus.”
‘I can’t do this on my own!’ He missed hearing our baby’s heartbeat. Our due date was coming and I was a nervous wreck.’: New mom details pandemic pregnancy, ‘Cherish every moment’
‘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.”
‘My long-lost sister called. ‘I’m alone. I need you to come pick me up.’ We’d been separated for years.’: 25-year-old becomes legal guardian for brother and sister after family separation, abuse
“My brother and sister had over 10 cavities, poor hygiene, and had been physically and mentally abused. I tucked them into bed. ‘You’re finally safe with me,’ I cried. I went from being responsible for one puppy to being the sole provider of my long-lost, 13-year-old twin siblings by night.”
‘We found a tumor.’ My stomach was stitched from hip to hip. I looked down to discover my spleen had broken through.’: Man battles Stage 3 Testicular Cancer, ‘Never doubt yourself’
“I began to lose the red hair that had always defined me. After a period of grieving, I told myself, ‘I can either give in or fight like hell to defeat this disease.’ Right then, I stopped feeling sorry for myself.”
‘Just one bite. It’s Christmas after all.’ I ran out of the room, crying. For over 10 years, I hated Christmas. I was terrified of it.’: Anorexia survivor says ‘I look for moments of joy’
“I spent Christmas after Christmas in fear. In fear of gaining weight. In fear of everything Christmas represents. ‘Do I want to spend the rest of my life reducing myself?’ Anorexia had wrapped its way around my brain.”
‘You never leave. You ruin EVERYTHING. To some people, you’re just ‘a feeling.’ But I KNOW you’re the d*mn devil.’: ‘Husband with wife suffering from anxiety says ‘I’ll be there to remind her she ISN’T alone’
“I can’t simply say to my wife, who’s curled up in the fetal position, shaking and crying, trying to dodge your incoming blows, ‘There’s nothing to worry about.’ She knows that. But I love her harder than you’ll EVER hit her.”
‘When I got the call, I fell to my knees. ‘One more day. I just need to make it one more day to get this baby viable.’: Woman births baby after recovering from COVID-19, ‘We feel so blessed’
“We were careful with every single thing we did. Masks at all times, sanitizing, social distancing. There was no way I had it. I was ashamed and terrified my baby could die inside of me.”
‘Don’t go home, don’t stop for lunch. Go to the ER now.’ This joyous event was clouded over. We had no idea what to expect.’: Mom diagnosed with kidney disease, ‘My child saved my life’
“I felt very drained. I kept running to the bathroom every 5 minutes. My shoes wouldn’t fit, and my face was starting to look and feel puffy. Our precious child was now going to help Mommy fight for her life.”
‘This never happens. You’re safe.’ Black women are FOUR times more likely to die during childbirth.’: Mom and baby beat odds, ‘Our bond is unbreakable’
“She looked lifeless and was covered in wires. ‘You are so loved. I fought so hard to be with you.’ I soon became too weak to hold her. I realized I was bleeding. I tried to say, ‘Something’s wrong!’ but I passed out.”
‘You have anxiety.’ I had to lie to get the care I needed. I fought for the surgery I knew would save my life.’: Endometriosis warrior becomes advocate, ‘No one deserves to suffer from this’
“We’re often told we are overdramatic, making it up for attention, mentally unstable— all while suffering severe pain. It wasn’t rainbows, it wasn’t sunshine. It was survival.”