“It’s ok to not always be 100%.”

Share your stigma experience.

Was diagnosed with severe anxiety disorder, mild depression, A.D.D. and dyslexia in the third grade. Let’s just say nobody really knew anything about mental health or learning disabilities at the time. If kids found out you were different in any way you instantly became a target. Some teachers were the same way and it became intimidating and crushed any confidence I had left. The state also didn’t want me in general education classes because my testing scores were way below average. But what they didn’t know was that I was also struggling with anxiety and depression and that can impact your performance.

How did you overcome this experience?

I worked really hard to get to where I am now. When I was younger it was non stop tutoring and summer school. I have worked really hard over the years to come to terms with who I am and I have, just not 100% and I learned/figured out that its ok to not be 100% as long as you still believe, push and understand who you are as a person.

Help others by sharing a brief, positive message.

It’s ok to not always be 100%. Whether someone has a mental illness or not doesn’t matter. We all have our dark days and bright days. The only difference is that we struggle with mental illness and it makes us stronger because we face challenges nobody else has to.