Brittany – 2014 Graduate

My home was filled with a lot of arguing while I was growing up. Sometimes the fights got so bad that I had to call the police. When I was eight years old, I was sexually abused by someone close to me. This abuse continued until I was 18. Because of this, I developed a distorted view of guys and relationships. I found my worth in sex. I developed an eating disorder and eventually began to self-harm. It didn’t take long before I became suicidal. I attempted suicide multiple times. I was sent to different facilities on multiple occasions and put on many different medications that only seemed to make things worse. I was diagnosed and labeled with several problems. I felt like a lost cause. It seemed like I was never going to get better.

I found out about Mercy from a mentor. I started but didn’t finish the Mercy application because I was accepted into nursing school. Over time, my life continued to spiral out of control. I came to a very low point when I was placed in a crisis stabilization unit. I realized I really needed help. My mentor mentioned Mercy again, and I knew I had to give it a shot. Nothing else was working, and I had nothing to lose. I knew if I didn’t do something, I was going to die.

When I got to Mercy, I felt really broken. I was depressed, hurt and hopeless. I had a lot of trust issues and didn’t want to let anybody in. A big turning point for me came when I realized that it was my choice to self-harm or to engage in self-destructive behavior. I had to decide that those choices were no longer options for me. I began to see my value in Christ. I now know that I have worth and shouldn’t hurt myself. I am precious to God!

I feel like God has done such a great work in me at Mercy! The depression, eating disorder, sexual abuse, anxiety, addictions and self-harm are no longer chains that keep me bound. I have learned that I have choice. Deuteronomy 30:19 tells us we have a choice between life and death, blessing and curses. I have also learned that God loves me, and I can never be separated from His love.

After graduation, I plan to go back to nursing school. I also plan to get involved in my church’s youth ministry, worship team and Celebrate Recovery group.

I am so thankful to all the Mercy donors! Mercy has helped save my life! I now have a foundation to build a successful life upon. I have established a relationship with God and can fully experience freedom. I am very grateful!