“They sent someone to ‘keep an eye on me’ so I didn’t report it. All my medical documentation was suddenly ‘lost.’ I was laughed at and called a liar.”
‘The higher-ups in my command took pictures of my rape and left them on my phone. They thought it was funny. ‘It’s your fault. You drank with them.’: Veteran, assault survivor says ‘no one gets justice until we all do’
‘The nurse came in as I was flailing. ‘I don’t want to go!’ The ambulance thought I was 80, not 8.’: Woman celebrates 20 years brain tumor free, ‘My hope is to give back’
“My parents sat me down and told me I was going to need surgery. An 8-year-old, I cried and cried. I didn’t want to go in. When I woke in the recovery room, I learned it couldn’t be removed. We were devastated.”
‘I want white people to think I’m nice so they don’t kill me.’: Photographer captures how young black boys see themselves vs. how society sees them
“I would like others to know I’m not a threat to society.”
‘Is it illegal for me to go in and order my own dinner?’ I almost held my breath the entire time. ‘Stay six feet apart.’: Mom shares Subway worker’s act of kindness toward 11-year-old son
“I heard him mumble to himself on the way home, ‘God, I love this feeling.’ His father and I appreciate you so much more than you knew when you handed him his change and he ran out the door. He will never forget this, I promise.”
“My cancer is back.’ Then came the next bombshell. My entire family was dead before I turned 30.’: Daughter grieves loss of parents, ‘Running from grief isn’t the solution’
“I found out Mom was going to die. As I walked away from the hospice, I knew my life had changed. After her death, I had to foster a new relationship with my dad. Then came another bombshell. My entire family was dead before I turned 30.”
‘You did drive-by parades and Zoom calls. You dropped off beloved stuffed animals. You are the only reason I can breathe.’: Mom thanks teachers for unyielding support
“This year, I want to return the favor.”
‘I accidentally left my son’s sippy cup on the top of the car at a gas station and ended up with bruises on my arms.’: Domestic violence survivor urges ‘there is no excuse for abuse’
“I used to give so many excuses for my ex’s behavior. I used to blame MYSELF for his actions.”
‘That doctor ended up saving me twice in that hospital — first with a life-saving surgery, then again with a simple business card.’: After ectopic pregnancy, woman credits doctor with helping her ‘mental recovery’
“She handed me the business card and said, ‘I feel like you may need this.’ I started to talk, but the words couldn’t find a way out. I wanted to tell her I was fine and give the card back. Yet I knew, somewhere in my soul, I would need that card.”
‘I feel like Mufasa walking in the produce aisle. I’m always flattening out my curls. ‘We can both be beautiful together!’: Daughter inspires mom to embrace her curls, ‘I have to love my actual, physical self’
“’Mommy! Your hair is curly like MINE?’ My hair was drying naturally and had curled up a little bit. ‘Yes, my hair looks like yours before I…’ I almost said, ‘Fix it.’”
‘We butted heads. We were a little mean to each other. We kept our distance. I’m sharing this because more often than not, this is real life.’: Woman says ‘it’s okay to not have a perfect relationship’
“This is one of the fakest photos I’ve ever taken.”