“What got me over my fears was compassion.”

Share your stigma experience.

I was told that I would never be able to achieve anything that “normal” people could. Told I would never be able to hold a job. That I would always be on disability.

How did you overcome this experience?

It hurt always being discouraged by others. I wish I could have had more encouragement in my life, but I never believed that I couldn’t better myself.

Over the past 5 years I have worked hard to improve myself; my state of mind, my knowledge, my skill set. Every day I tell myself I can become stronger and better in some way than I was yesterday. I will overcome my issues in time. I’m not irreparably broken.

Help others by sharing a brief, positive message.

What got me over my fears was compassion. If I focus on care for others, I have less time to be anxious for myself. Determination to improve myself (even at a slow pace) keeps me going. Self discipline helps me do what needs to be done even with low motivation.