In the past few years, I’ve been active online in various areas. I help my community and work with my family. I also offer support and engage in treatment. My connections are both natural and personal worldwide. It can be hard to realize the reach I have across all the platforms I share with the world. People see the amazing man I have become. They see the talents and things I do with those in the community and the world. Sometimes, it gives me the smile I need. This smile helps me keep going during the hardest moments of my life.

First and foremost, this is not a way of glorifying myself for the things I do. I would never do that to myself or want it to be about me. It was never meant to be about me or being paid, the number of followers, or any milestones. Still, when it is, I like to take some time to give an intro of what they are coming into. I also explain how I got to where I am today. There have been countless struggles, defeats, and hard moments. It has not been an easy road. I eventually grew out of these challenges and would not wish them on anyone. The reactions and shares of my content make me feel warm and fuzzy. Sharing my knowledge helps those in need make sense of things. It can also help them in getting through a challenging situation.

Doing these things has been a way to fill the voids in downtime that comes with living on my own. It does not completely fill it. Still, it helps me relieve some of the stress and pain I experience from time to time. It gives me a healthy and roundabout way to share what life can be like. There were times when the goal was merely to survive the day. I aimed to avoid having a meltdown or being restrained for my safety. Sometimes it was about those moments that seemed I would never overcome. But I did overcome them and shined doing it. Through these experiences, I paved the way for teaching others something or made them see that things were indeed possible.

Maybe it is knowing that person from school. They have seen me as someone who wasn’t yet mature. I have grown into that mature person now. I used to be a nuisance. Now, I am the one who continues to beat the odds of classmates and peers. I get up, get ready, and do what it takes to brave this cruel world. I take the extra steps it takes to make that happen. I accept that life is not the same as my peers, but I make it what it is. I learn to cope with the challenges that cross my path. I shine through the rough that can’t always be seen in just a picture or a few words.

Whatever keeps you and me going plays a significant role. It is a reaction to a post. It is a comment with a compliment. Even a life story matters. Just our way of connecting with what binds us together can make a difference. It makes my day better when it seems rough. Seeing the value of the work I am doing keeps me going. It helps me do what I do best.