What is the most difficult thing u have triumped over?!

What is the most difficult thing u have triumped over?

or something u have gotten through that has made u a stronger person?

I am 13. Here is what has made me a stronger person.

* Parents didn't graduate from highschool or college, which motivates me to get strait As and get an education.

* My dad has a lung disease, COPD, partly from genetics and partly from smoking cigarettes. He also has severe dental problems. He has joint problems too but cannot get surgery because of his obesity. This motivates me to avoid ALL tobacco products, brush and floss my teeth, and stay at a healty weight.

* I was 8 when my dad first went to the hospital. That was a rough time for me. But it made me stronger because I realized that life does not last forever. I also help him out although nowadays he is trying to become more independent.

* Because of my dad's health problems and my parents' lack of education they have not been able to make a steady income. So, my family has been homeless several times since I was a baby. Now we are in a house thanks to a program in town.

* I gained a lot of weight from eating out of depression. I also stopped brushing my hair and teeth, and my skin broke out. The kids teased me for being ugly but now I turned myself around and take pride in my appearance. The experience also taught me not to ever make fun of others and that you can prove people WRONG.

* From the age of 4-7 1/2 there were a couple of boys who molested me. For a long time I was terrified of boys until I met my best friend Chris in the 4th grade. He has helped me learn to talk to guys again and my counselor has helped a lot too. :)

* Living in poverty helps me make wise choices with money on the occasion I get some and appreciate the value of 1$.

* I used to be in special ed. After I got mainstreamed I struggled to get Ds, but with a little extra help I eventually climbed up to Cs, Bs, and now all As.

* My dad was supposed to get sixty grande this April from the government for Social Security. But I had health problems as a baby and because the state has helped us before with financial problems they changed thier minds about giving it to us. That is one of the hugest disappoitments we have ever gone through because we had hoped and dreamed for four years about that money. But in the end that will make me stronger too because I do not need money to be happy.

* Having been through all these problems made me grow up way too fast. I am sad to have sacrificed my childhood but it will make me a more mature adult. I also empathize with a large variety of people. Someday I will be a school counselor to help other kids who went through the kinds of things I went through. They need someone who can say, "Been there, done that..." someone who understands how hard life can be.