The Foundation behind the Teal Ribbon*

by Ariana Quintana, age 15
Ariana is a rising sophomore at Saint Saviour High School. She has aspiring dreams for running and bouldering. At only 15, she has goals set for the future. She enjoys writing in many different forms but is especially passionate about poetry. Ariana fills hearts with her touching outspoken poetry. This is her first summer at Writopia Lab, and she is looking forward to continuing throughout the school year.

“Just because you have a mental / illness, does not mean you are different. / People with anxiety are fighters. People / with depression are survivors. People who / self harm are strong.”

     

Just because you have a mental

illness, does not mean you are different.

People with anxiety are fighters. People

with depression are survivors. People who

self harm are strong.

I am strong. They did not just tell me to

walk again, but they taught me a new way

of walking. Not with my head down, but up.

Because rock bottom is where I rebuilt my

life again leading to the road of recovery. I

am worthy of recovery because I am

human, just like you. I am a warrior to top

that. The semicolon stands strong beside

me. My story was going to end with a

period, but I chose to keep writing it because

it’s not over yet. I am a warrior, with the “I”

being a semicolon. It makes me strong. I am

strong. I am a fighter. I am beautiful.

I am a friend.

I am a daughter and

I am survivor.

 

*(Teal ribbon for anxiety disorders)