Shannon – 2013 Graduate

I grew up as an only child to two Christian parents who loved me very much. My childhood was pretty great, actually, although I did feel alone a lot without siblings. When I was 12, my world changed as my parents divorced. I felt even more alone and isolated. Things worsened a few years later when my uncle committed suicide. The pain I felt led me down a path of depression and destructive thoughts. I soon started cutting as my depression worsened. I was struggling in school, sleeping all of the time, and losing weight. When I finally noticed I was losing weight, I realized I liked it, and that was the beginning of my eating disorder. I ended up in the hospital after an overdose. It’s not that I wanted to die, I just would have done anything to make the pain go away. I lost friendships because of my issues and how dependent I was on others. I thought no one could help me, not even God.

I have known about Mercy for a long time because my mom works for a Mercy supporter. I decided to apply because I finally realized that things were not going to get better on their own. When I walked in the doors I didn’t think it would work, because I thought not even God could help me. I thought I was too far broken and gone. I thought that I was just a hopeless case.

God has done so so so much for me since I have been at Mercy. He has completely restored my hope and I now have a joy that jumps over sadness! Go, Jesus! I have learned that depression or self-harm cannot define me, because I am a child of the one true King. We serve a God who is so incredibly faithful even when we’re faithless. I have learned that I am worth so much, just because I have the Holy Spirit in me!

After I graduate, I will work as a nanny while taking summer courses at a local college. In the fall I am hoping to go to a major university, majoring in either social work or elementary education. I know that I want to work with kids and help them in whatever way I can. Eventually, I want to get married and have a huge family, including adopted kids. Until then, I plan on living my life for Him. After all He did for me, I owe him that much.