[LadyShadow]

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to make a special thread for anyone who is struggling, maybe thinking they can't make it or overcome any odds.

Last year, I was hospitalized for 10 months after a violent manic episode. I had everything worked out prior - I fixed my credit beautifully and I ranked first for a Civil Service Exam I took. That episode destroyed my life, my credit sank from 650 to 507, and I lost the government job because I was hospitalized. My parents and family abandoned me in there and they were threatening to send me to a sanitarium for the rest of my life.

Fast forward to today, through the grace of God my parents gave me another chance, and I am on my way to a new life and new career. My credit is still suffering but I have learned to accept the things out of my control and just try my best to rebuild. All I would need good credit for is my own apartment and I am going to see if I can work that out down the line.

The point is I faced so much darkness after being locked up in a hospital for a year and losing all I had worked so hard to rebuild. But THERE IS HOPE. Tomorrow is my first day of School at Independence University to get the Bachelors' Degree in Human Resources I have always wanted.

I feel hopeful.

I feel at peace.

Most of all, I have accepted my body, the way I look and my life at this point. I am EXACTLY where I am supposed to be. I am also a part of The Planetary Society and a big supporter of NASA, (see my NASA necklace below). The only place where we can go is forward and onward to the stars, even if I am just here on Earth.

I can make a difference, and most of all I am smiling again.

Don't give up on yourself, because if I can do it after losing everything you can make it.

All my love,

LadyShadow.

Thanks for sharing your story, LadyShadow! It's wonderful how you can now see lots of great possibilities ahead and are enjoying the present. Such rough years can be traumatic, but they can also be learning experiences.

If you do end up working in Human Resources in the future, you will surely have a special compassion and understanding of the issues many employees struggle with. Whatever you do, you are wiser.

[LadyShadow]

Originally Posted by BirdDancer

Thanks for sharing your story, LadyShadow! It's wonderful how you can now see lots of great possibilities ahead and are enjoying the present. Such rough years can be traumatic, but they can also be learning experiences.

If you do end up working in Human Resources in the future, you will surely have a special compassion and understanding of the issues many employees struggle with. Whatever you do, you are wiser.

Thank you so much BirdDancer for the encouraging words! Last year was SO bad, I am amazed that I have come this far. I feel like the possibilities are ENDLESS at this point.

My first tasks were due today, and I have acclimated well. I think I am going enjoy this school experience.

You are right BirdDancer, I will have that extra knowledge to help out employees. I knew that it's tough to work in the Mental Health field, and since I don't have experience with that field and I have experience with Human Resources, I will be able to be more useful in that area.

I am SO excited for this new chapter in my life. Thanks everyone for all the hugs and thanks of support. I know you all can do whatever you put your minds to, cause I was able to!

[xRavenx]

Your story is very inspirational, and that's wonderful that you're achieving so many great things! Thanks for sharing!! (((Hugs)))

[Nola0250]

So great to hear that you are doing so well! Love to hear the story. So encouraging.

[TheSeaCat]

Hi LadyShadow; I just loved reading your story. I wish you luck with the Bachelor's Degree; I just earned mine and that feeling is honestly indescribable. Plus HR is a great field to get into and quite frankly we need more HR members like you that understand the mental health issue.