I am 32 years old. I am a long distance, open water swimmer. My dream is to be the first woman to swim across Lake Michigan (50 miles) and to be the first woman to swim a double crossing across the Straits of Mackinaw (10 miles). I swam 5 miles this summer in the Straits of Mackinaw in Michigan (USA). I had a mile to go but the currents pulled me off course. The water temps were in the mid 50's and had to get pulled out of the water by my rescue crew after 5 hours and 15 minutes, due to hypothermia. I did it all to raise awareness for mental illness, and suicide prevention. I raised money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
I struggle every day to find the hope to live life with mental illness. I suffer with Bipolar-2 disorder, PTSD, BPD, Adult ADD, and depression.
I am passionate about bringing awareness to mental health illnesses and suicide prevention (I attempted in 1997) and have self injured since I was about 8.
My hope is that when you find this page you will find a bit of inspiration, a bit of hope and a bit of who I am and what I love.
*Note: I do not claim any of the images on this page as my own (unless they are actually mine). If you are the artist and I failed to credit your work properly please let me know.
Catching Elephant is a theme by Andy Taylor
(Source: likeafieldmouse)
COUNSELLING BLOG: Common Myths about Mental Illness
Myth #1: Mental illnesses are not true illnesses like cancer or heart disease.
Fact: A physical illness like a heart attack can easily be detected by some simple tests. In contrast, mental illness is an invisible disease which can’t be observed by the general public. This can lead…
(Source: c-isnenegro)
My scars show pain and suffering, but they also show my will to survive. They’re part of my history that’ll always be there
(via takealittle-smiletoday)
(Source: ill-be-y0ur-savior)
Stop comparing where you’re at with where everyone else is. It doesn’t move you farther ahead, improve your situation, or help you find peace. It just feeds your shame, fuels your feelings of inadequacy, and ultimately, it keeps you stuck. The reality is that there is no one correct path in life. Everyone has their own unique journey. A path that’s right for someone else won’t necessarily be a path that’s right for you. And that’s okay. Your journey isn’t right or wrong, or good or bad. It’s just different. Your life isn’t mean to look like anyone else’s because you aren’t like anyone else. You’re a person all your own with a unique set of goals, obstacles, dreams, and needs. So stop comparing, and start living. You may not have ended up where you intended to go. But trust, for once, that you have ended up where you needed to be. Trust that you are in the right place at the right time. Trust that your life is enough. Trust that you are enough.
Daniell Koepke (via internal-acceptance-movement)
it has been said that we need just three things in life:
something to do,
something to look forward to, and
someone to love
(Source: sayingimages)
