“I had to wear sunglasses to prevent light from stinging my corneas. They said it was a ‘temporary’ side effect, but it wasn’t temporary for me.”
‘I was told, ‘The sharp, stabbing pain is just your nerves getting used to the surgery.’: Woman shares complications from laser eye surgery
‘I can’t just ‘pop an Advil and be on with my day.’: Mom battling chronic migraines explains ‘this isn’t just a little head pain’
“Migraines are NOT headaches.”
5 Things No One Tells You When You Lose A Child
“As much as I’d like to think my impenetrable brain will hold tight every memory of my son, I can’t even remember what I ate for lunch yesterday. Memories fade.”
‘I think she has some fractures.’ Nobody knew what was wrong with me. The pain was EVERYWHERE.’: Chronic illness warrior fights to ‘stay positive’
“All my problems, physical and mental, changed me. I get more medical visits than visits from my friends. But I still need to see the positives in life.”
‘Who would want a girl with no legs?’ I defied the doctor’s advice until my body BEGGED me to stop.’: Amputee with spina bifida urges ‘life has no guarantees’
“‘Amputate my legs?! Never in my life.’ I wasn’t ready. Thus started a whole new phase of my life. I had to make the best out of what I’ve been through.”
To My Friend Who Would Rather Not Do Christmas This Holiday Season—I See You
“It’s okay if it all feels like too much. It’s okay if you are ready for it all to be over. I may not know what it’s like to walk in your shoes, but you are not alone.”
‘Kids, will you follow me up the stairs?’ We walked into his bedroom. I knew something was wrong. ‘Where is Mommy? What happened?’: HIV warrior details journey with grief, trauma
“‘Lexi has AIDS’ was written in graffiti outside my science class. Soon, the whole school knew. I was spit on, constantly told, ‘I hope you die.’ I was tired of fighting. ‘I don’t care if I die anymore.’ Immediately, my stepmother began planning my death party. ‘Enough is enough.’ A family friend took me to the school counselor to repost the abuse at home.”
‘My mug shot was on the news. ‘I’ve been using drugs and I’m in trouble. I don’t want to live.’ The nurse said, ‘You’re in the right place.’: Woman overcomes addiction, ‘I help people like me’
“I contemplated if I was in love with the pills and white powder he seemed to always have or if I loved him. Any loyalty I had eventually shifted to the drugs.”
‘Will they make it on their own?’ The universal mom ache comes every time we say goodbye.’: Mom says ‘with each goodbye comes a sacred hello’
“Their first steps onto the school bus, that very first sleepover. As she backs out of the driveway with her newfound freedom, memories of a toddler in her car seat and seemingly endless pickups fade. ‘Will they make it on their own?’ The ache is fresh and raw.”
‘If you send me home, I will die.’ The doctor looked me in the eyes. ‘We’re all going to die.’: Mental illness, chronic pain warrior finds peace through therapy, ‘I accept myself as I am’
“I’ve been in a car wreck I shouldn’t have walked away from. I’ve attempted suicide 3 times. I’ve come close to death often. ‘Why do I exist?’ Now I knew exactly why I’m here.”
