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I was born around 10pm on April 30th to Janice and David McLaughlin, much to my older sister (born 1992), Katie's, dismay. Though she came to love me over the years.
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In 2004 my mom was hospitalized for the first time since I had been born. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder shortly after my birth, and has been struggling with it ever since. I consider this an important date because prior to this point in time I was never told about my mom's disorder. This was when it all first hit me. I was 8 years old.
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In 6th grade I met my best friend through an online video game, Disney's Toontown Online. We have remained in contact and have stayed best friends ever since, and have even met in real life twice! If I had not met June, a lot of my life would have felt a lot darker.
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Early into my high school education I found myself ridden with panic attacks and not-so-happy thoughts. I was able to begin therapy my freshman year and was quickly diagnosed by a psychiatrist as having depression and anxiety, which was not too bizarre after the events with my mom. I actually look at this point in time as a positive moment as being in therapy was one of the best things to ever happen to me! I still see my therapist, Kelly (yeah, same name!) monthly.
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I was able to leave behind some very toxic friendships and begin to become my own person before college!
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I started college SU in fall of 2014. SU was the only school I was interested in and the only school I applied to for early action, and I amazingly was accepted! My dad and sister both graduated from SU, and I was so proud to call it my new home.
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This was certainly a defining point in my education in assuring me that I wanted to be a teacher.
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She has been my rock ever since.
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This certainly set me back in my academics for the semester and had me returning to live back at home in Round Rock to commute to Southwestern. It was a rough couple of months, but it made me a stronger person in the end. Mom has been just fine since!
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I didn't think I could handle living away from my mom in Round Rock after the events of December but I am still able to see her whenever and I am much happier being on my own, on campus. :)
