My name is Coltyn and I’m 15 years old. When I was 2, I was injured really bad and the fallout from that injury was catastrophic. The years since the injury has been filled with so much more trauma, ups and downs, tears or sorrow and of joy: it’s a journey that could fill a book. I know from personal experience that life’s not fair, that it can be hard and really suck at times. However, I also know bad stuff doesn’t last forever and life can be really great… as my mom says, “don’t quit 5 minutes before the miracle”…BEE emPOWERED!

My mom, sister and I have suffered though more traumas than any family should. This included watching in agony, as I was struck down in a mall suffering severe injuries, including a traumatic brain injury. Many said, I would never do anything; I had to learn how to walk and talk again. I don’t really remember much from the accident, but I do remember the pain, frustration and how hard it was to do simple things.

You would think people would have rallied around us to help in our time of need. Some did, but most walked away. Through everything one of the hardest things was learning how to face the ‘demons’ that not only lived inside me (lack of confidence, sense of worthlessness), but also those that hid behind computer screens and the faces of ‘friends’: I never seemed to be able to escape the bullying. Lots of people thought because I was different than them, I liked different things or participated in things that were different, that it gave them the right to say mean things or abuse me in some way. It never made sense: for example, one day I would get hit because of the way I spoke, another day I would get pushed because of the way I walked, another day texts would come in saying I should have died in my accident, another day I would get comments about the way I looked, how young I was or how I played volleyball, etc…It was never ending, when one person would stop, someone else would start. It was really hard for me, I was already dealing with so much pain and traumas, but the bullying made me feel beat down like no one was there, like I had no friends… I felt worthless…it ate at my self-confidence and the sense that I belonged. However, I believe it’s in the most difficult times that you find and build a strength in yourself you never knew you had.

I was very blessed I have a great mom and sister, they were there for me, they never saw anything ‘wrong’ with me. My mom would say I just learnt differently and I was unique and only great people were unique. I know others aren’t so blessed with family, but there is always one person, a councilor, a coach, a neighbor, God, whatever, but someone that cares: if not, keep reaching out maybe you haven’t found them yet: there is no shame or weakness in reaching out until someone takes your hand or reaches out to you…you are not alone. Even though I had the support of my mom and sister, I still had to find the inner strength to fight for me, as this was my path to walk. If you don’t feel like you have anyone in your corner, realize you have yourself: your greatest strength.

At first it was so hard to say anything about how I was feeling, what I was dealing with and what people were saying to me and about me: I would write it off as a joke or I didn’t want anyone to feel bad or I was sure no one would understand, or I just didn’t want to add any more pain to my family. I had to find a safe way to confront what was going on: once I did this, I found it started to take some of the ‘power’ away from the people trying to hurt me and made me feel like I had a little more control back: this allowed me to find a sense of belonging: something I loved, that made me want to get up in the morning…for everyone it is different. My sense of belonging started with sports (especially volleyball), yours might be art, cooking, science, dance, electronics, etc: whatever it is, celebrate it, show your love for it and surround yourself with people who understand it…it may not be the first place you look, or the second, but it’s YOUR life, don’t let anyone take it from you!

My story has been told in the media a bit. At first it felt kind of strange, I felt a little embarrassed because it seemed like I was so different, I didn’t want any more judgment. However, I started to feel empowered because people started to make comments again, but nice ones: I started to feel like I wasn’t so isolated or different…I found it not only gave me hope, but others as well…I was told it helped others to feel like they weren’t alone, they felt connected… it gave them courage to face things they were going through. My mom, sister and I believe that your story (what you’ve lived through, what you’ve overcome, what you’re facing) is your power: no one can take it from you, it’s yours and yours alone…so tell it, scream it for as long as it takes till someone notices, if you feel like no one is listening. Your story can empower not only yourself, but others as well, you never know what other people are facing and your story might just give them the strength to keep going.

You never know when life is going to change, look at where I am now; in the summer I got the honor of trying out (at 14) and making (at 15) the 17U Team BC volleyball team. Not only was I the youngest to make the team, but I was also the only boy from BC to take home an All-Star.

I know there are those days where you think you’ve had enough of everything, remember there will always be times where it works out and I believe those times are worth fighting for. Never give up, keep putting one foot in front of the other: tomorrow is a new day, your day: what do YOU want from it…there is strength in grabbing your destiny, don’t let someone else’s fear, jealousy, insecurity, lack of control, or meanness take it from you!

“With each new day comes new strength and new thoughts” -Eleanor Roosevelt