Lifestyle
For the lives that we love, and everything that comes with it.
Survival
Brittle, hollow, not exactly broken, but very near it. That is how I felt after everything. Everything that I was, the strength that I had built over the last few years, and the courage that I had come to expect of myself, was carved away by this process. The process of naming my attacker, facing my attacker, and listening as his lawyer took apart my character piece by piece in open court. I feel brittle. Like pieces of me might break off at the slightest touch.
By Heather Clarke8 years ago in Viva
How I Made Myself Feel Better About My Body
I never thought that I would get this far. I had no future plans. I really thought that by the age of 16 I would kill myself. Here I am today now 21. I still struggle with things but I'm not as bad as I use to be. For the record the picture featured is not mine. I don't own it.
By Jess Perry8 years ago in Viva
Divorce
My marriage of seven years ended this past October. We were supposed to be forever. I thought we were happy. We had a beautiful family together. I didn't realize it was all a lie. Turned out he had multiple relationships throughout ours, starting while we were dating. One of his many girlfriends was his brother's girlfriend. Who does that to family? I realized we were done when he took a trip to see his current girlfriend on Mother's Day. While he was gone I did some digging. That's when I found all the messages from one of the girls. I immediately found a lawyer.
By LATOYA RICHARDSON8 years ago in Families
Not All Disabilities Are Visible
My name is Brittany. I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. I also suffer from panic attacks. This is why I have been training my dog to be my service dog. The one thing that really annoys me is when someone says "Isn't he too little to be a service dog?" The answer is no. Any breed of dog can be a service dog. This also depends on what you will need the service dog for. Having a smaller dog works well for me because when I feel like I am anxious or about to have a panic attack, I can easily pick him up and hold him close to me. I have also trained him to recognize when my breathing is changing and he will jump up on my leg so I can pick him up. If I am sitting, he will lick my face as a way of stimulation. (Some people have judged me on stimulation, however this is a very successful technique as it calms me down and distracts me from the situation.) I feel like some people don't understand this. I also trained him to do this when I say "Alert" so that he knows something is wrong in case my breathing has not changed.
By Brittany Nicole Allen8 years ago in Petlife
Healing from a Toxic Grandparent
My grandma has raised me for nearly 11 years, which is almost my whole life. But the one thing she did for years that I finally confessed to my mother was lead me down the path of hating myself. Every day, I struggle with finding happiness within my own skin and many of the beauties behind the flaws in my own body.
By Heather Wilkins8 years ago in Families
Becoming a Cancer Mom: Part 2
Hospitals. They are terrifying. Do we even enjoy being in there when we give birth? Sure, you get waited on, hand and foot. But does that beat the awkwardness? The opposite sex seeing your nether regions is always uncomfortable in the hospital or doctor's office. People you only know for a day or so pretty much know everything about you! Yet, you can barely remember their name with out looking at the name tag hanging on their shirt!
By Jessica Phillips8 years ago in Families
The Hardest Conversation
Due to my job with the elderly towards the end of their lives, it has gotten me thinking about my life. I work with people mainly in their eighties and nineties, mostly with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Families of my residents often find things hard but, in most cases, have made plans for their relative. This means they can visit them and not worry unduly about what happens when their loved one passes away. This is something I think everyone should consider, especially for themselves.
By ASHLEY SMITH8 years ago in Families
