When I was 5 years old my father was murdered because of his involvement with cocaine. I never knew my father as a person but he was and is still a part of me. My father’s death caused me great pain resulting in the diagnosis of Manic Depression and PTSD. As I grew, my behaviors became too much for my mother. I’ve tried to comet suicide 4 times and from the age of 9 I was experimenting with self-harm. When I was 12 years old I was placed into my first group home. While being in care I was exposed to a variety of drugs. I was now at 13, cutting myself and sniffing/smoking any drug possible; this was my way of coping. I saw about 30 counselors and 10 psychiatrists but I didn’t take advantage of this until a later age. You have to want help before you receive help. My life appeared to be going downhill, I hated myself. When I was 16 I moved to a home that changed my life. I became sober for the first time in years. I started to paint as a coping strategy. I took advantage of the programs available to me. I went to school every day. I made the honor roll. I have now moved back home. I am in grade 12 and wish to go to college to study CYW. I have no money and I want to show other youth that there is always light at the end of every dark road.