Who Is Your Hero?

Do you have a personal hero? Tell us about them. It doesn’t have to be perfect to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Your Everyday Hero: Mary Ellen C.

There are so many people doing wonderful things to encourage individuals to recover from or live their best life with mental illness. For me though, one person stands out for me and this one person gave back to me my "hope" that I could achieve what I desired and live a happy life.

Mary Ellen inspires individuals around the world and her impact on people's lives is felt by many. Her own personal story about mental illness and her desire to help herself and others is her hallmark and is shown in everything she does.

I had the great fortune to meet Mary Ellen in person and consider her a friend and hero ever since. Mary Ellen taught me that despite mental illness I had value, I could be loved and I could contribute to my community. She taught me this by who she is, what she does and her willingness to say "I have walked in your shoes". She taught me not only how to "walk" again, but how to run. How to have joy and hope in my life and how to live again. Without her, many of us would be home in a dark room, unable to go out and unable to enjoy life. She is a hero for all of us.

Story was submitted anonymously