Heather – 2013 Graduate

I was the victim of sexual molestation and manipulation when I was about 12 years old, including a relationship with a much older man. A few years later, I went through a lot of loss when nearly a dozen people I loved died in one year. I went through several inpatient treatment and therapy programs and was on a lot of different medication. In 2010 I met someone who had graduated from Mercy, and it gave me a tiny shred of hope. Eventually, I applied.

When I arrived, I was despondent and hardly spoke to anyone. I didn’t make eye contact, I sat and slept on the floor, and had anxiety attacks where I would pass out. I didn’t even know what a “normal” meal looked like.

At Mercy, I learned to use my voice. I learned that I’m not who I thought I was, but I can be who God says I am. I also learned that I’m not responsible for other people’s actions.

After graduation, I am going to focus on my health and finding work. I plan to head back to college next semester to study nursing and Spanish.

Mercy saved my life in every way. I praise God for the work He has done through Nancy and our Mercy donors. Without them following what God asked them to do, there would be no Mercy, and I wouldn’t be alive!