Crystal – 2013 Graduate
Growing up, I had severe social anxiety. I was too 
afraid even to walk on my front porch.
My anxiety stemmed from a variety of traumatic experiences. I’d been sexually abused from age four to age 22, was kidnapped at age ten, and was physically, verbally, and emotionally abused by family members throughout my childhood. I started to self-harm at age eight. In high school, I lived in an abandoned car under a bridge. I survived by eating lunch at school and getting what I could out of dumpsters.
Because of all the abuse from so many people, I felt like I walked around with a label that said “abuse me.” I had no dreams or hope for the future, and was so heavily medicated that I barely functioned. I graduated high school by the skin of my teeth. I only desired one thing, and that was death. I attempted suicide 17 times in two years. My last attempt was on my 24th birthday.
Eventually, a woman from my church took me in and introduced me to Mercy. Just getting to Mercy was a miracle because of my anxiety, but I was desperate. I saw Mercy as my last chance.
My first few months at Mercy were hard. I hated being around so many people, and boy was I challenged. But I was also really loved and encouraged! I’m so grateful for the love I received from the staff, supporters, and my Mercy sisters. They taught me the truth of God’s Word – that I was valuable, loved, cherished, and chosen. At Mercy, I shook off the rags of condemnation and put on the robe of righteousness!
I graduated from Mercy in 2013. Today, I’ve completed my Bachelor’s in Social Work and plan to go to grad school. I work at a pregnancy center, where I was just promoted to Assistant Center Director. I have joined a runaway and homeless youth task force. On my last birthday, I spoke at churches in honor of Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. It was so cool to be talking about saving lives on the very day the enemy tried to rob me of mine!
I’m no longer scared to walk out the front door, because I walk in truth. I’m not a slave to any diagnosis. I don’t carry the shame and guilt I once did. I have hopes and dreams for my future, and every day I strive to make a difference for Jesus. Not only do I want to live, I want to live abundantly!