I've realized that the world is, in essence, full of banana peels - loaded with things that may unwittingly trip an internal wire in my mind, opening a floodgate of fears without warning.

I have watched lives change. I have seen women gain confidence.

I don't think I'm unusual in that, in my 20s, like many people, I felt invincible.

I know firsthand how critical support systems are.

I'm not afraid of IED's, bullets, mortars.

Maintaining my dignity is so important for me.

We all waited on an afterlife. Only I planned to be alive for mine.