Narrative Program Entry Essay

A 4 by 4 room, white walls, tiled flooring and 60 degree temperature. There are no windows and no doors. It kind of reminds you of a chamber or vault. You are all alone, distant from anybody or anything. All of a sudden, things get quite, even the thoughts in your mind. The walls appear to be closing in with every breath and each breath feels like the last. Now you begin to sweat and a chill comes over your body, and the chill works into your marrow. It would be so much better if you could just leave the room, but there is no escape.

That is anxiety. Before I was diagnosed, I had been told it was a normal part of living. I was told that everybody experiences nervousness and that I would overcome it. I could not imagine anyone overcoming

Transitioning to the Bertha Abess Agency as a Behavior Support Specialist providing skill training to severely emotionally disabled students being mainstreamed in the Dade County School System. In 1997, I joined the Department of Children and Families as a Certified Economic Self- Sufficient Specialist helping families become independent. Thereafter, the Department of Children and Families promoted me as a Child Protective Program as a Family Service Counselor providing support and guidance to family who had allegations of abuse made against them. In 2004, I began working for the Department of Juvenile Justice as a Certified Senior Juvenile Probation where I helped spearhead the first Female Symposium. In 2009, I became affiliated with the Orange County Government where I worked as a Supervisor at the Youth Shelter and a Behavioral Health Counselor, Wraparound Specialist and Facilitator for the SNAP Program with the Oaks Specialized Community Supervision Program, in addition to providing division training to employees in Trauma Informed Care. In recognition of my proficiency in the areas of behavioral health, education, and social services, I decided to open my own business called The H. E. L. P. (Healing Emotional Lives Provider). The H. E. L. P. is a Personal Growth and Development

I turned a seeming bad situation into a tool used for my personal growth and achievement. I encourage others who are being oppressed by anxiety to fight back and know that there is an escape. Although I have managed to escape the room, anxiety has not gone from my life. It continues to torment me and try to make me feel afraid. Times when I fell fearful or incapacitating, I rely on my self- awareness and personal strengths. What I have learned is that life is what you make it. Anxiety can destroy a person’s life and send ripples in our world. These ripples can be for the good or for the bad. Do not choose the bad; instead, take control of your destiny. Alter your perception, see yourself for the good. Only you know what you can