Kailey – 2017 Graduate

I grew up in a Christian home with amazing parents. However, I felt very sheltered as a child and felt I didn’t have a realistic view of the world. At a young age, family members began bullying me because of my weight, and I became very self-conscious of it. I was so self-conscious, I even stopped eating around people. This led me to self-harm and attempt suicide. On several occasions, I spent many days in the mental hospital. After battling all of this, I then entered a verbally abusive relationship which led to prostituting myself online.

After spending time in mental facilities, I finally found out about Mercy. My mother searched for somewhere for me to go to get long-term help. She came across Mercy’s website, and I eventually applied. When I arrived at Mercy, I was a complete wreck. I was broken. I hated myself, and I was angry at God.

A major turning point in my journey at Mercy came while I attended a conference with Mercy staff and residents. The Lord really spoke to me through one of the speakers who shared about struggling with self-harm. I realized that I was holding onto that part of my life. I let that stronghold go and learned to walk in freedom. 

God has taught me to love myself and love my body. I have learned that even with my scars, I am made new, and I am truly capable of love. I have been completely healed of my eating disorder and addiction to self-harm, as well as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. 

After graduating from Mercy, I plan to go to college. I also plan on getting a job so I can save money to travel around the world to share my story and testimony with girls like me.

To all the Mercy supporters, I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated, even if it is just a penny. The support you’ve provided has given me the opportunity to change my whole life.