http://www.iwillnotbebroken.org/connect/stories.aspx Together, we are not alone. Together, we can be more. Together, we survive and thrive. http://www.iwillnotbebroken.org/images/cover_book_shadow.gif http://www.iwillnotbebroken.org/connect/stories.aspx 138 192 en-us ischemic stroke victim at the young age of 48. i lost it all, then the system fell in on me by trying to bury me in debt, but i too am not strickened by defeat. i will rise again, better than before. i have fragments that can be pieced together as a whole. rob ]]> robert pryor, california Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:24:44 GMT www.tbihome.org and look for stories of survivors and then C for my first name and Cathy Hammond ]]> Cathy Hammond, St. Charles, MO Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:19:00 GMT I was involved in a near fatal motor vehicle accident on December 2, 2005 while driving to work. That morning has changed my life. I was just 23 years old. I was also working full-time and a student in the evenings. I was in a long relationship with someone whom I lived with and thought to marry someday. I never had trouble finding love or someone to date. My friends always told me how pretty I was and how beautiful I was. I don't think I ever truly believed them until now, when I look at old photographs of myself and see that girl I once was. I wish I could go back. I wake up every day hoping that the morning will be here yet again and I could choose to call in sick, instead of pushing myself to try and go in. But, it did make me realize who truly loves me. My ex-fiance',didn't. He didn't stick around. As soon as things got really hard he was gone. He kicked me out of the house we shared and treats me like I never meant anything for 5 1/2 yrs. I just finished with my 32 surgery and I'm finally starting to resemble that girl I once was. Finally, almost 5 years later, I see some light at the end of the tunnel. I still have some major surgeries to go and have been without dating someone for over a year, which before, I was never single. So, I'm learning about myself, who I am and who I want to be. I hope to someday look at this as the past and find the happiness I deserve. I am fortunate that God is working in my life and helping me through the hardest time of my life. If you are looking for someone to talk to, email me at firefly848@gmail.com. There have been 3 times I've tried to take my life, and I'm happy I had someone to listen. And I'm here to listen to you if you need it. -Nicole ]]> Nicole Koons, Florida Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:01:48 GMT My name is Alex am from Rwanda whereby in 1994 , estimated a million people lost their lives. I wasn’t in the country by the time people were being killed but after some few months after the Genocide i came back to my mother land but what i saw with my two eyes is not something that will ever be erased in any Rwandan’s mind ,body’s of innocent people lying in catholic churches , survivors with machete scars , some lost part of their bodies and families and friends. But what hurts most the people who were killed were being killed brutally and raped by people who were their friends and neighbors. But the only thing am always asking God it’s to give them a peaceful rest and never to let such atrocities to happen anywhere again in this world. ]]> Alex Mulisa, Rwanda Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:46:04 GMT I HAD A CAR WRECK ON AUG. 12, 2007, SHATTERING MY RIGHT HEEL, FRACTURING MY LEFT FOOT, AND SIX SETS OF STITCHES. THE DOCTOR SAVED MY FOOT, BUT I ENDED UP HAVING SIX DIFFERENT SURGERIES WITHIN ONE YEAR. I WAS GOING TO THE WOUND CENTER ONCE A WEEK, OXYGEN CHAMBER TWO HOURS A DAY, FIVE DAYS A WEEK, BONE DOCTOR ONCE A WEEK, AND NOTHING WOULD WORK. AS SOON AS I WOULD THINK SOMETHING WAS WORKING, PIECES OF BONE FRAGMENTS WOULD WORK ITS WAY OUT OF ONE OF THE THREE HOLES IN MY FOOT. I, THEN, FINALLY DECIDED TO GO AHEAD WITH THE AMPUTATION SURGERY, NOT REALLY KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I NEVER GOT TO TALK TO AN AMPUTEE, BEFORE THE SURGERY. MY AUNT SENT ME THIS BOOK ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE SURGERY, AND IT WAS THE ONLY THING THAT MADE ME SO OPTIMISTIC, ABOUT THIS WHOLE ACCIDENT. YOUR STORIES WERE SO MOVING. I HONESTLY DO NOT KNOW HOW I WOULD HAVE REACTED, HAD I NOT READ THIS AWESOME BOOK!! NOW, IT HAS BEEN ABOUT THREE MONTHS SINCE MY AMPUTATION SURGERY AND I AM NOW WALKING ONE MILE ON THE TREADMILL, LOVING LIFE, AND BEING GRATEFUL FOR ALL THINGS IN THE WORLD. NOW I PLAN ON GOING TO SCHOOL, AND PURSUING A CAREER IN THE PROSTHETIC AND ORTHOTIC FIELD. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. I HOPE YOU TOUCH OTHER PEOPLE'S LIVES LIKE YOU DID MINE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU. WHEN I CAN GET SOME PICS ON THE COMPUTER I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND YOU A PIC OF MY FOOT AND MY CAR, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM. PAM ]]> PAM SMITH, WHITE HALL Tue, 09 Dec 2008 21:21:51 GMT Thank you, Jerry, and thanks to everyone who has shared. Over the past four years, I have developed chronic pancreatitis. I had a congenital defect that caused many attacks of acute pancreatitis. Surgery and many invasive procedures likely contributed to my current condition. I had a "Whipple surgery" last December when my situation was desperate: my pain was severe and constant, and I didn't know much of what was going on because of the large doses of narcotic medications I was taking in an effort to be minimally functional at work. (I am a scientist.) During the surgery, my gall bladder, duodenum, pancreatic and biliary ducts, half my pancreas and a portion of my stomach was removed. The surgery helped a little. But only a little. It was a nightmare experience, and I knew early on in my recovery that not much had changed as a result. I tried very hard not to let the people who care about me know how much pain I was still in. But this only led to complications down the road... Now, as I ponder the one year anniversary of my surgery, I know that I will have this chronic pain forever. Even with all the morphine I take, the pain level is still too high for me to ever be reasonably comfortable. I am struggling with how to manage my work so that I may continue. I have a biomedical research lab with 10 members. Yes, it's a process, and, yes, each day I must recommit to Life. These are some "rules" I have found especially helpful from people and books: 1. God is always in me and I am always in him. 2. One moment at a time. Strive to truly live each moment but in a relaxed way! 3. At work, do only what only I can do. 4. At least think about reaching out to one person each day. 5. Faith, Hope and Charity. God has a plan for me, and watching this unfurl can be exciting: I want to contribute. How will God use me? 6. I can let go of my guilt- I did nothing wrong in getting sick. But I must do my best in responding to this circumstance. And my best isn't always so great, but that's ok, too. 7. And it's ok to "give up" once in a while as long as I know deep in my heart that I will get back out there soon. 8. I sleep with my rosary beads. Touching the beads during the night reminds me that I am safe and loved. God Bless to All. ]]> Diana Murray, Oak Beach, NY, United States Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:55:49 GMT Dear Jerry, Mine is not a story of devastation, but one of surviving a lifetime of challenges which have eaten away at the fabric of who I am. As a very brief background; I grew up as the daughter of a kind and gentle army officer (who was often absent) and a bitter and angry mother, so I often felt unloved and unwanted. At 16 I was date-raped, and married the man because I felt it was the honorable thing to do. After being beaten for 3 years, I escaped with my two children and started a new life. I put myself through school, and things were improving, when I got a call at work one day saying that I had just lost everything in a fire at my apartment building. My life has been full of exhausting challenges and exhilarating opportunities. I will be 60 this year, and I have always considered myself an optimist, a survivor, and a thriver. But this past year, something in me changed. I found myself exhausted by the seemingly endless barrage of betrayal, loss, and pain, and I have felt unable to continue. I knew that I had a choice of life or death, and began to consciously choose death as a welcome relief to the endless challenges that seemed to come my way. I felt alone. I withdrew from family, friends, and my community. I felt like my life was grinding to a halt. Just in the short time that I have purchased and read your book, I have realized that I am not alone, and that there are probably many other people out there who are feeling the same way I have been - beaten by life itself. The book has been a real blessing, and already, I can feel myself shifting back from victim to thriver. Now that I have a clear awareness of the difference, I will be on guard to protect my life from the victim mentality. It's time to get back to work - being of service to others and making a difference in our world, in whatever way I can. I have already begun to reconnect with family and friends, and I am feeling better already. Thank you, so much, for writing this book. It will serve as a beacon of light for those of us who, somehow, have forgotten our way. ]]> Julia Q, Phoenix, AZ Sat, 16 Aug 2008 08:38:44 GMT I listened to Jerry White on Good Morning America today and heard his story and 5 steps. It sounded as if it was me in 1973. I lost my arm in an industrial accident at work. I was 23, a new Mom with a 4 year old and a new baby. As I layed in the hospital for 45 days while having nine corrective surgeries, I realized I could give up or get up. I chose to get up and get well. I faced the facts and chose life! After a year I searched for a support group to no avail. So, I started a group. It grew from 4 to 40 in a year. I was on the move meeting folks much worse off than me. A few that had lost two legs, and a very young girl that lost both arms in a jeep accident. I healed and continued the group for 5 years. It was giving back that helped me heal. I returned to work and began a new career in Prosthetics. Today 35+ years later I am retired and again a volunteer. Thanks Jerry. ]]> Barbara L, California Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:37:22 GMT My current Survivor Story is terminating a 14 year relationship with a person who was and still is a Gambler and suffering from Bipolar Disorder. I was the Victim and Enabler and in control of my own destiny. But with the help of our Lord I was set free. It is still hard at times because I still want to fix things. But the only thing that I can do is attepmt to recover emotionally and financially as well as learn to take care of and love myself, before I can learn to love anyone else. Also, hopefully I have learned from these terrible lessons in order to build character and healthy life skills for the right person who is out there waiting to be loved. ]]> Elk Whiatle, Wasihngton, DC Sat, 28 Jun 2008 07:18:06 GMT I was born in Cuba, as was my entire extended family. They're all still there - I'm the only member of my family who made it to the United States. When I was very young, my father fashioned an old car into a floating raft that held 20 of us. We were all desperate for a better life. Halfway to the United States, the raft capsized. I remember hanging on to whatever family member was nearest. Eventually, the United States Coast Guard came out and rescued us. My older sister and I were allowed to stay the United States, sponsored by distant relatives that lived in Miami. That's where I am today - very much a part of the Cuban expat community - very much connected to my heritage - and very thankful to be here. ]]> Alejandro Arnez, Miami, FL Tue, 06 May 2008 16:09:50 GMT I was in a combine accident while farming cotten 5 years ago. In an instant my life was changed. Because I was severely disabled my farm was forclosed on. Today I'm living in Baton Rouge trying to piece my life back together and keep my family fed. I'm enrolled at the community college and feel hopeful about my future. ]]> Dan Ellis, Shreveport, LA Tue, 06 May 2008 15:51:25 GMT I lived in New Orleans for 8 years before Katrina. The first question everyone always asks is whether my stuff was ruined. I was able to get much of it back a few months later, but if it had been destroyed there is very little i would miss now compared to how much I miss my friends. I had an amazing group of very close, very smart, fun people in my life with hearts of gold. I have lost touch with many of them since then. Luckily I have connected with many amazing new people, but its never quite the same. Not to mention the incredible setting that New Orleans is - I've traveled a lot, but I've never found another place that feels like New Orleans. I miss it. You can always replace your stuff, but don't take your home and the people in your life for granted. ]]> Libby Miner, USA Mon, 05 May 2008 13:03:21 GMT My parents brought us over to the United States when I was only 3 years old - I don't remember much at all about life in Korea. That was 20 years ago ... my parents have worked hard at building a business here - and my brother and I have both always known that we've had to succeed - to make our parents hardships worth it. Today, I'm a college grad, and I make enough money to bring some home to parents each month - it's the least I can do to make their sacrifices mean something. ]]> Esther Park, Queens, NY Sat, 03 May 2008 16:38:46 GMT I was born with a partially unformed lower leg on the left side - the doctors immediately amputated the stub at birth. I got my first prosthetic leg before my first birthday, but by the time I was in elementary school I was able to ride and bike and run as fast as any of the other kids. I've outgrown a lot of legs in my lifetime - my mother's saved them all as a testament to my desire to walk. ]]> Matt Anderson, Buffalo, NY Sat, 03 May 2008 16:12:18 GMT My older brother died when I was 13 - he was 17, and had been fighting leukemia. I just remember how sad the entire family was. My father didn't go to work for a while, my mother couldn't get out of bed ... I did a lot of growing up very quickly. ]]> Kareem Najah, Chicago, IL Sat, 03 May 2008 15:58:15 GMT My parents divorced at a young age - it was a bitter, painful divorce, full of "he said" and "she said." I was sent to go live with my grandparents in the suburbs of Paris while they were hashing out the details of the separation, and ending up living there until I left for University when I was 18. I don't know my parents very well at all - but I'm luck y to have my GRandmere and Grandpere. ]]> Ted Rosenberg, Paris, France Sat, 03 May 2008 15:13:37 GMT I was biking to work in New York one afternoon and I thought that I could fit between a parked car and a double parked truck. As I was riding through the truck started to move and pull closer to the curb, and I fell over with my foot stuck in my toe clip, and I almost got run over by the truck. It was a really close call - my heart was pounding and my hands were shaking. ]]> Alison Shapiro, NEW YORK, NY Sat, 03 May 2008 14:24:30 GMT