I considered myself a skinny, ugly little girl that no one had anything to do with

When I was about 11 years old, my parents urged me to go to camp. It seemed like the right thing to do since my favorite cousin was going to be there. It was a Mennonite camp, so I thought they would be passive and nonjudgmental. But it seemed mean kids were everywhere, even at a Mennonite church camp. My cousin was popular and had lots of friends everywhere she went. I thought she would include me in her circle of friends. Instead, she ignored me. While the kids played games, made art, and sang songs together, I withdraw even more into sadness and depression.

I considered myself a skinny, ugly little girl that no one had anything to do with. I had to find my own form of entertainment and self worth. My own parents had to have lost hope with me. Looking back on my life, it is a wonder that I found courage to continue to live. At one time, in high school, I wrote a paper on schizophrenia, thinking I had it. I blocked out memories of my past to help me cope with the present. When I start thinking about my depressing past, God comes around and brings someone to help me focus on the positive. Today, I was caught in my bad memories and ran into a neighbor who is an MD in private practice. We talked and he offered his help. Then he hugged me after I started crying. He said my hormones are out of balance or I wouldn't be so depressed. So he offered some medical advice that was greatly appreciated.

God sends us people to help us if we put our trust in Him. I would be dead if it weren't for my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ. He has brought me through so much. I am still a TBI (traumatic brain injury) survivor and am proud of it. If I can't do anything, at least God gave me the ability to encourage people. He saved me from my car accident for a reason. Now and always I have to keep fighting to live a better life.