“I feel a tiny glow of hope these bright-eyed kids will continue to think about simple ways to make an impact in the lives of those around them, even after they finish school. I have to hold back my years when I think about the difference they’re making.”
‘I feel like I made a difference.’ They feel so empowered. I never fail to tear up a little.’: Teacher wraps Christmas baskets with students, ‘It’s so beautiful to see them helping others’
‘Have you been biting your fingernails?’ he asked. I got this sinking feeling.’: Woman with limb difference goes on self-love journey, ‘Being different is amazing’
“I didn’t see anyone like me until I was in my teens. At times, I felt like it was only me in the world with a little hand, which felt lonely and scary. I used to wish on every star, ‘Please could I just have two normal hands?’”
‘A car ran a red light and hit me. ‘Stop being dramatic and take a cab.’ I was DEVASTATED. I didn’t want to struggle or hurt anymore.’: Woman shares journey to sobriety, ‘I chose life’
“Alcohol was like a looming cloud. I chose alcohol over everything. I would mourn with alcohol, celebrate with alcohol, and survive with alcohol. I asked myself, ‘Do I want to spend my life mourning ghosts of a life lost, or actually live?’”
‘Are you sure about having this baby?’ He was as blue as a Smurf. I walked down the corridor, empty, without my baby.’: Mom shares son’s journey with congenital heart defect, ‘It made me who I am’
“I didn’t know what or how to feel. ‘I’m numb.’ The word ‘death’ was written under risk factors. Signing the consent form was the scariest thing I’d ever done. It was basically signing away your child to your worst fear.”
‘She patted my tummy. ‘Thanksgiving wasn’t good for you… too much turkey.’ I was confused. What was wrong with my body?’: Dancer becomes body positive advocate, ‘I want to be the change’
“I’d eat lunch and sneak off to be sick. I was ashamed even with all the dance and exercise, it didn’t help. I was fat. ‘Your body is wrong for dance.’ I didn’t fight back.”
‘Please tell me what’s going on!’ It was a freak accident. ‘AM I DREAMING?’ Christmas was supposed to be ‘THE DAY!’: Woman pregnant with rainbow baby, ‘She chose US to be her parents’
“I was rushed to the hospital because it looked bloody BAD. ‘I just have this weird feeling,’ I told him. I was shaking from absolute shock.”
‘Starting tomorrow, I won’t use drugs.’ It was only a matter of hours before the loneliness crept in. I didn’t care if it killed me.’: Mom describes sobriety journey, ‘God met me right where I was’
“I found myself with two kids, multiple divorces, and a life in utter chaos. I still couldn’t see the problem was me. I’d promise I’d be back and never show up. My kids spent 3 years never knowing if I was coming home.”
‘It’s all in your head.’ I was urinating 30 times a day. It was hard to bear. I was left with a tube hanging between my legs.’: Woman diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis, ‘It’s given me confidence’
“I felt as if I had a UTI, but the dipsticks came back fine. I spent so much time in the toilet it became a work joke. I’d wake up five times a night for the toilet and at times, would hardly empty my bladder at all. I just felt clueless.”
‘I broke out with an allergic reaction in HANDCUFFS. I spent all night lying in jail, completely defeated.’: Mom of 8 battles alcoholism, ‘I try to have unconditional love for myself’’
“I played the martyr, feeling sorry for myself raising these babies alone, instead of admitting I needed help. I was a total failure of a mom.”
‘Ali, you’re adopted and we love you.’ Fear of abandonment poured through my veins. I was walking on eggshells.’: Adoptee shares self love journey, ‘I had to surrender and trust’
“After an 8 hour surgery, I woke up with a peace sign shaped scar across my entire abdomen. Half my liver and my gall bladder were removed. ‘You are one in 200 cases in the world.’ That surgery gifted me a greater perspective on life. I no longer fear death.”