Index

Age: 42, Location: Rochester,NY

When were you at your weakest:
Iam at my weakest when my situation or situations are beyond my control.

When were you at your strongest:
Iam at my strongest when I believe in the unbelievable,and achieve the unachievable.

How are you feeling now:
Iam feeling confused and a little unsettled about losing so many young and talented artist,actors and,actresses. Most of all Iam missing Michael Jackson and can't believe he is gone.

Age: 51, Location: Westminster,California

When were you at your weakest:
The day someone I knew forced me between a bed and a wall and forced himself on me. I couldn't get away. Could not fight him. Could not call out because he had his hand pressed against my mouth so tightly. I was so bruised as a result. I felt completely alone and helpless against him. Being the only female in the apartment. I had only gone in to use the restroom and was attacked from the side

When were you at your strongest:
The day I was able to save my stepdaughters from a habitual child molester/pornographer and because of my help,and the help of an 11 year old child,also a female, the detectives had caught this ""man"" at just the right moment where they had all the evidence they needed to bring him to justice once and for all.His trial resulted in a 10 year sentence in prison. I finally was able to bring a sexual predator to justice and get a conviction

How are you feeling now:
My assault and rape resulted in the birth of my first child. A girl whom I love dearly. She was my little wild child Angel. She's 28 years old now and a mother herself. I feel wonderful. It took me many,many years to get those images of that horrible night out of my head once I had to remember everything in order to document it all for a later purpose.

Age: 30, Location: Guernsey

When were you at your weakest:
When I was lost in the depths of depression, unable to function and self-harming, waking up every morning and wishing I'd died in my sleep the night before.

When were you at your strongest:
Being discharged after successfully completing therapy, able to go about my life as normal and taking joy in living life again.

How are you feeling now:
Happy, confident, secure, blessed!

Age: 51, Location: Westminster,California

When were you at your weakest:
The day someone I knew forced me between a bed and a wall and forced himself on me. I couldn't get away. Could not fight him. Could not call out because he had his hand pressed against my mouth so tightly. I was so bruised as a result. I felt completely alone and helpless against him. Being the only female in the apartment. I had only gone in to use the restroom and was attacked from the side

When were you at your strongest:
The day I was able to save my stepdaughters from a habitual child molester/pornographer and because of my help,and the help of an 11 year old child,also a female, the detectives had caught this ""man"" at just the right moment where they had all the evidence they needed to bring him to justice once and for all.His trial resulted in a 10 year sentence in prison. I finally was able to bring a sexual predator to justice and get a conviction

How are you feeling now:
My assault and rape resulted in the birth of my first child. A girl whom I love dearly. She was my little wild child Angel. She's 28 years old now and a mother herself. I feel wonderful. It took me many,many years to get those images of that horrible night out of my head once I had to remember everything in order to document it all for a later purpose.

Age: 51, Location: United States Washington, DC

When were you at your weakest:
I was at my weakest when I was married and my husband wanted to take control of me. He did not want me to be my own person and this included how I dressed, talked, walked, ate, or anything else. It was not humanly possible for me to continue this relationship for the sake of my unborn child and mysself. So we got a divorce.

When were you at your strongest:
I was my strongest when I started back to school after 28 years and now I am continuing my education. I will graduating on October 12, 2011 with my MBA Degree in Business Administration. I have truly been Blessed and so has my son who has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder) and he is now a Chef at the Old Soldiers Home here in Washington, DC. I am so proud of him and myself and give God all the praise and Glory. At one time I was in darkness and could not see the light and felt lost and all alone. Jesus Christ brought me through and my mind is straight now. I've always felt that mental illness was much worse than physical illness. As long as I have my mind I can function and have Jesus I can climb and mountain and defeat any obsticle. Thanks be it to God in the most High...Amen!!!

How are you feeling now:
I am so happy, excited, grateful, thankful, and just feel awesome in every way about my life now and through the stress and strife of life I am determine to forge ahead to get ahead to stay the successful person I've I am. Thanks be it to God!!!

Age: 20, Location: Lake Forest, Illinois

When were you at your weakest:
When I had Asperger's Syndrome but remained undiagnosed with it for the first seventeen years of my life. The slightest brush against me brought about discomfort; persistent background noises were terrible distractions; and I had so few friends at school because I couldn't grasp even the most basic of social cues. I retreated so far into myself, I wouldn't even look people in the eye when talking to them. Life itself seemed chaotic and cruel, and I just wanted out.

When were you at your strongest:
When I was finally diagnosed and received the right treatment needed to ease my heightened sensitivity and help me learn certain social cues. I sought out and successfully found sources of love and beauty which helped me see that life was a worthwhile endeavor. I took pleasure in the wonders that the world offers to us, from colorful flowers to sunlight sparkling atop freshly fallen snow to the laugh of a little child to the music and messages from Michael Jackson, one of the most beautiful souls that ever existed on this earth.

How are you feeling now:
I feel happier and more at peace with myself. I still have occasional moments when I find myself wavering back to my previous place of fear, doubt, and resistance, but I'm learning to shift my focus back upon my areas of light and love when they occur. I will savor life, and I will do whatever I can to make it more loving and peaceful for others.

Age: 52, Location: Canada

When were you at your weakest:
When my ex moved for work purposes and took my 2year old and 5 years old boys 2000 miles away. They returned to live with me at the age of 13 for each son. I had a phone relationship with them for all of those years and would split plane fare when I could to have them out for the summer months. When I couldn't though, my ex would pay their way. Missing them was so consuming.Another time that was a very hard time in my life was when my Dad passed away and then my Mom dies two months later. and an affair from my second marriage ripped the rest of my heart out.

When were you at your strongest:
When I believed in God.

How are you feeling now:
I have comfort knowing that God will never give you more than you can handle!

Age: 56, Location: Peacehaven United Kingdom

When were you at your weakest:
The day my husband first laid a hand on me and beat me to a pulp. It felt as if the world was tilting and i was falling into the abyss. I did not think i would ever get over that .

When were you at your strongest:
When i found the courage and the strength to throw him out. i felt as if i had been reborn

How are you feeling now:
Better than i ever thought i could. its taken me a long time and at last i think i am getting there.

Age: 47, Location: Htfd, USA

When were you at your weakest:
When I lost my job and had no unemployment comepensation, then found out I could not get heath insurance.

When were you at your strongest:
When I decided to go back to college and made the Dean's list

How are you feeling now:
At peace because I know that God takes care of all things and everything happens for a reason.