Before my diagnosis, I believed that strength meant pushing through pain without complaint. I thought success was measured by how much you could accomplish without slowing down, and that healing meant returning to exactly who you were before. I didn’t understand that sometimes the greatest strength comes from admitting you need help, and that real healing transforms you into someone new.
When I was diagnosed with Perianal Crohn’s disease, my world shifted. The physical pain was relentless, but what surprised me most was how illness taught me lessons I never expected to learn. I discovered patience during endless medical appointments. I found empathy in hospital waiting rooms filled with people fighting their own invisible battles. Most importantly, I gained perspective about what truly matters. Health, connection, and compassion rose to the top of that list, while the things I once stressed about faded into the background.
Discovering Purpose Through Writing
Writing What the Pain Left Behind wasn’t something I planned. It started as a way to process what I was going through, to make sense of the confusion and fear that came with chronic illness. Putting words on paper helped me transform my pain into something tangible, something I could examine and eventually understand. The act of writing became its own form of healing.
What I didn’t anticipate was how sharing my story would create bridges to others. Readers reached out to tell me they felt less alone after reading my words. Some shared their own struggles with chronic illness, mental health challenges, or loss. Others simply said thank you for being honest. These conversations taught me that vulnerability isn’t weakness. When we share our truth, we give others permission to do the same. That realization planted a seed that would eventually grow into something much larger.
Founding CareForBrains
My medical experiences opened my eyes to how often we suffer in silence, especially when it comes to mental health. I noticed how isolation deepens pain, and how a single conversation can lighten an unbearable load. That’s why I founded CareForBrains, a nonprofit dedicated to spreading mental health awareness, empowering young people, and creating open spaces for honest conversations about what we’re really going through.
The mission was simple: break down stigma and build up community. We started small with volunteer programs where young people could contribute to mental health advocacy. Our volunteers create e-cards with encouraging messages, design awareness posts for social media, and work on STEM projects that explore the intersection of technology and mental wellness. Each contribution matters because it reaches someone who needs it.
One of our volunteers, a high school junior named Maya, told me something I’ll never forget: “I used to think my anxiety made me weak. But creating content for CareForBrains showed me I could use my experience to help others. Now I see my struggles as part of my story, not the end of it.” Messages like Maya’s remind me why this work matters. Every volunteer discovers their own strength while helping others find theirs.
The CareForBrains Podcast became another way to connect. We mix humor with serious conversations, creating a space where mental health doesn’t feel heavy or intimidating. We’ve partnered with schools and libraries to bring these conversations into communities where young people spend their time. What started as a small idea, something I created from my bedroom while recovering from surgery, has grown into a movement supported by volunteers across the country.
Lessons in Empathy
Running CareForBrains taught me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening, learning, and showing up with genuine care. The most meaningful moments haven’t been the big milestones. They’ve been the quiet messages from a teenager who finally felt brave enough to talk to a counselor, or the parent who thanked us for helping their child understand that asking for help is okay.
Supporting others through CareForBrains helped me heal emotionally from my own medical journey in ways I never expected. There’s something powerful about turning your pain into purpose, about using what broke you to help mend someone else. I learned that kindness has ripple effects. A simple post on social media might reach someone in crisis. A volunteer creating an e-card might save someone’s day, or even their life. Community matters. Connection matters. When we show up for each other, especially in moments of vulnerability, we create a world where no one has to suffer alone.
A Call to Keep Growing
You don’t need to start a nonprofit or write a book to make a difference. Start a conversation about mental health with someone you trust. Check on a friend who’s been quiet lately. Share your story if you feel ready. Listen without judgment when someone shares theirs.
Join us at @carefor.brains on Instagram or visit careforbrains.org to be part of our community. Together, we can create spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
Healing doesn’t start when pain ends. It begins when compassion grows.
