Today

Alberto Roura

My name is Bridgette. I had to leave my home and family when I was thirteen and live with my aunt because my stepfather was abusive. I felt like my life was spinning out of control.

My mom remarried after divorcing my father, and she had a job where she was only home every other day. So it was really just me and my brothers most of the time. Unless my stepdad was home. He lost his temper a lot and, for about nine years, my brothers and I had to deal with mental abuse, physical abuse and him degrading us. We were never allowed to be kids. When all my brothers eventually moved or went to go live with their dad, I was the only one there and it seemed like it got worse. Finally, some friends of my mom caught on to it, and she ended up leaving him. After that, he became obsessed with making our lives hell. So my mom sent me to live with my aunt, and I was only 13 at the time. I lived with my aunt until I was 18, and I am now 20. While I was living in this new place with new people and no family besides my aunt, I became depressed, suicidal, and had major anxiety problem.

For about two years of being in a new place, I was getting into trouble and cutting myself. I had a lot of nightmares, and I had no confidence in myself whatsoever. But then I found a passion, photography. It made me realize that there were things worth living for and there was still beauty in the world. If you’re going through a tough time, or you’re trying to cope with something, or whatever it may be, try to find that one thing you’re good at and focus on it. Believe that you have a lot to offer to the world, and that tough times or bad spots in your life only last for a little while.

I made it and you can too. I have so much hope that you can come out of whatever it is bringing you down. You just have to find what it is that helps you.

Responses

Thanks for your comment on ReachOut.com! We moderate all comments to ensure the site is safe and supportive. Your comment should appear within 24 hours if it is approved.