“If you ever feel empty or alone, never hesitate to seek professional help. It was one of the hardest but best decisions I ever made.”
![A young girl wearing a bandana and a woman with short white hair](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2022/06/alexandra_madgett_fea2-860x645.jpg)
‘They told my mom it was just a cry for attention and I was perfectly fine.’: Woman shares mental health journey to bipolar diagnosis
![A young girl in a pink shirt and a woman dressed as Rosie the Riveter](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2022/06/kelsey_depompei_fea2-860x645.jpg)
‘A diagnosis I initially thought would destroy my life ended up saving it.’: Teacher overcomes childhood bullying to advocate for mental health
“People started rumors about me. ‘Pretty, smart, and nice’ changed to ‘sl**, b***h, and drama.’”
![](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2022/04/lise_deguire_fea7-860x645.png)
Why It’s Time For Hollywood To Stop Depicting Villains With Facial Disfigurements (From A Severe Burn Survivor)
“Over time, Hollywood has come a long way in improving representation. Black characters can be heroic; gay characters are rarely reduced to stereotypes. Overweight characters can be presented in the full complexity of their humanity. However, disfigured people are still fair game. In fact, I can’t think of any other marginalized group that is so relentlessly negatively portrayed on screen.”
![](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2022/04/tayla_clement_fea6-860x645.jpg)
‘Not being able to smile is the greatest gift I could’ve been given.’: Woman with rare Moebius Syndrome turns pain to purpose
“I’ve been through a lot, seen a lot, and been dealt a lot in my short 24 years of being on this earth, but I’ve come out on the other side, turned my pain into power, and now I get to live out my dream reality.”
![A young woman with alopecia and a man kisses his balding partner on the head](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2022/04/paige_roberts_fea1-860x645.jpg)
‘I pushed the post button. ‘Oh my god. People now know I’m balding.’: Woman with alopecia shares hair loss acceptance journey
“Not everyone is ready to talk about it or go public. No one knows what’s best for you, except YOU.”
![](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2022/04/celina_leroy_fea4664-860x645.jpg)
This Woman Normalizing Unique Birthmarks Through Stunning Portraits Of Strangers Is A Breath Of Fresh Air
“In a world that prioritizes flawless skin and facial symmetry, I want my subjects to feel represented and beautiful.”
![A mom holding her son and a young autistic boy wearing a blue shirt](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2022/04/sheryl_st_aubin_fea2-860x645.jpg)
‘Remember my son’s name, because he taught the world that there is no shame in being autistic or being different.’: Mom expresses need for understanding after mean comment
“’He’s wearing earmuffs, and it’s warm out so I’m guessing he’s a r*tard.’ Days like these make me realize there is so much work to still be done.”
![](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2022/04/claudia_campbell_fea4-860x645.jpg)
‘I would want someone to do it for me.’: Girl stands up to classmate being bullied, proves how easy kindness can be
“My daughter has the biggest heart. Sometimes, I think she’s teaching me more than I’m teaching her.”
![A woman with cerebral palsy and her friend and a graduating student in cap and gown](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2022/04/ashlee_brady_kelly_fea2-860x645.jpg)
‘She’s always using it to her advantage,’ one of my classmates said. I would never be ‘normal,’ and I hated that.’: Woman with Cerebral Palsy shares journey to self-acceptance
“Realizing that I did not have to hide who I was allowed me to feel pride in everything that made me, me.”
![](https://lwm-a2.azureedge.net/uploads/2022/03/smith_alley_suicide_mental_illness_lwmfeature-860x645.jpg)
Teen Suicide Prevention Advocate Shares Personal Story After Heartbreaking Plea In Viral Video
“We can help reduce the amount of unnecessary deaths and pain people are feeling.”