I have MS. A couple years after my diagnosis, I faced a flair that affected my ability to use my hands. As an instrumental musician and teacher, this was my worst nightmare. Instead of giving up, I faced my challenges and relearned how to use my hands. It took lots of occupational therapy and home exercises to regain my fine motor skills. Fast forward to today, I still have lost sensation in my hands, but I’m able to play my instrument professionally without anyone knowing.

I've had a very hard life beefisince the day I was born hadcaxstrokecalmostc3 years ago still paralyzed working hard to get it back

My mom got cancer and I became her caretaker. It was something I never thought I would have to do.

Leaving a bad abusive marriage was hard but it helped me grow into a stronger more independent woman who will never tolerate anyone disturbing my peace again.

Leaving a bad abusive marriage was hard but it helped me grow into a stronger more independent woman who will never tolerate anyone disturbing my peace again.

Got divorced. I'm much happier, healthier and wealthier. He was dead weight and I'm better off without him.

I’ve gone through cancer and divorce after 22 years in the past 2 years. I’m now facing my mom with severe COPD after losing my dad years ago to ALS and yet I feel like these have only strengthened me and made me appreciate how blessed I truly am. Truth is we all have our battles yet essentially we are all the best and strongest survivors.

I face a lot of challenges. Mentally, emotionally daily. I try my best each day to get up and make it through. My mental health has been deteriorating over the last few months. So, getting up daily is a win.

I face a lot of challenges. Mentally, emotionally daily. I try my best each day to get up and make it through. My mental health has been deteriorating over the last few months. So, getting up daily is a win.

Working at an Amazon warehouse at 57. I definitely found physical strength I didn’t know I had

Every challenge gives me the tools to grow. I face challenges daily being an African American woman in America.

I am a dystonia warrior. I was diagnosed with dystonia at the young age of 22, it is a painful neurological movement disorder, repetitive muscle contractions that cause twisting or repetitive movements, abnormal postures, or tremors. It is an all day battle with my body. I learned how to make my life for myself and my kids as normal as possible by relying on faith in my very unpredictable struggle with this disorder.

Four years ago I unexpectedly was told I needed bypass surgery— quickly. My first reaction was a resounding NO WAY. No one was going to crack open my chest. I calmed down, talked to my family and prayed. I decided I’d do it and after almost 4 weeks in the hospital and Rehab center I returned home on Christmas Eve. With the love and help from my family and many weeks of additional rehab, I got my life back. I realized Imstill had things to do and love to share. I value each and every day now, as if it might be my last. I try to enjoy life, but most of all I value and share my love with my children and spend as much time as I can with my grandchildren,

I’ve overcome a lot in my life so far, but I just recently lost my mom to cancer and it’s got to be the hardest thing ever. She was my best friend, she was an amazing grandmother to my daughter. She was a bit morbid and has talked about this since I was very young - telling me she wanted to be cremated and spread somewhere she’s never been, and for me to sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” But not at a funeral, because she also didn’t want a funeral. We celebrated her life with friends and family and I had the song queued up on my phone from a recording a did previously, but I was somehow able to take a deep breathe and sing for her and honor her wishes. I’ll have no regrets about that day, and I will forever remember that I can be strong like she was.

I went thru a terrible divorce. I had no choice but to rise above all the adversity and become a better person.