MINDY

PHOTO BY RANDY BACON

MINDY

“God Doesn’t Make Junk”

I was abandoned as a baby at a police station in Taegue, South Korea. At 22 months old I was adopted by an American family. How blessed am I that I got to come to America? I was diagnosed in 8th grade with bipolar 1. I spent a lot of my 9th grade year in the hospital. I have good days and bad days - there is no cure for what I have, just coping skills. I struggle with seasonal and weather changes. Winter really makes me feel depressed.

The hardest thing I deal with is my self-esteem. My medication causes me to gain weight and I don’t always like how I look. When I look beautiful, I feel beautiful.

If I could give advice to another individual dealing with similar mental health issues, I would say, be true to yourself. Don’t try to be anyone else. You’re alright just as you are. I’ve realized that I am not a label. God doesn't make junk.