"This Is A Call For Help, The Story And The Goals I Have.
Wow. I don't even know where to begin. I have long been fighting for a chance to go back to School. With previous applications being overlooked and denied, I finally made it. - I got in!
The transition from being a full time freelancer to become a full time student is huge. From being my own boss who creates my own schedules and decides my own working hours, to become a full time student with classes and teachers... It's almost unbelievable, but it has become a reality.
Someone told me recently that you have to tell the universe out loud what you're looking for... And even though this is far from the "normal" me, I will in this article do just that. This is a call for help, the story behind it all and the goals I have.
The Story:
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I have shared many of these things in prior posts and I don't want to bother you with an immensely deep story filled with tears and a roller coaster ride of emotions and suffering... But I promised to share the story and that's what I will do.
The truth is, that I have been living with panic attacks, a huge depression and anxiety for several years. My social life took a huge blow, my daily routines and my life got weird and awkward and I struggled to get out of bed for a long time. I have tried a wide variety of medications and I've talked to several therapists and psychologists.
I have lost friends due to my behaviour (illness) and due to their lack of understanding. Many others would have said compassion instead of understanding, but I have never asked for compassion. I have begged people to understand. I have tried to explain and I've done so many things to make people aware of my situation... Often without much success.
I have been ashamed and I have tried to live my life just as I did prior to my illness, but take it from someone who've been suffering for a long time. It's not that easy and you would never say: "It's just cancer, get over it."
I was just like you. I was "normal" (whatever normal is). But I also suppressed all my feelings for a long period of time. My father was sick for a long time. He had multiple heart attacks and a cerebral hemorrhage, but he kept going. He still went to work and he still went to the store. However, no matter how strong my father was, I was living in fear for a long period of time. My childhood was awesome and both my parents was amazing... My mother still is.
My father was my idol. He was crazy, funny and awesome in every single aspect. But he was also stubborn and he was never sick. Fever didn't stop him from going to work. Even after his first heart attack, he went to work only 2 days after.
He had to stay home for 5 days after his second heart attack and after his cerebral hemorrhage he was at the hospital for 4 days. When he got home again, he stayed at home for 2 days and went straight back to work again.
All of these things made me live in fear.
I was afraid that he suddenly wouldn't be "invincible" and that he would die. This went on for several years and in December 2012, he suddenly passed away at home, right in front of me. I stood there and I couldn't do a single thing about it. I felt terrible and I still, even to this day often blame myself for what happened. Even though I know it wasn't my fault. But I feel bad and I blame myself because I couldn't revieve him. I couldn't bring him back to life... And I lost my dearest friend, my role model and my father.
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At the time, I was about to start a construction education so I imprisoned all my feelings, emotions and my grief. Much like I had did many times before. I did that because I felt the need to be strong. I had to be strong for the sake of my mother and for the sake of my education. I locked away everything went my education and I finished School with good grades. The last week in School, before the graduation, I was hit by my first panic attack.
Such a horrifying feeling, out of nowhere struck me as a lightning bolt and I was certain that I would die. I couldn't breathe. I felt pain in my chest, in my heart and I knew I had an heart attack. I knew I was about to die within a few seconds and all the anxiety, pain and the fear reached sky high levels. My mother called an ambulance and I don't remember much after that. That whole scenario is blurry and I don't want to think about it. It frightens me.
After several weeks and months of anxiety, panic attacks, different pills, chest pain and medical tests such as EKG, (Electrocardiography), it stood clear. I suffered from a severe panic attack.
A panic attack is the abrupt onset of intense fear or discomfort that reaches a peak within minutes and includes at least four of the following symptoms: Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate. Sweating. Trembling or shaking. Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering. Source
After months of the above, including depression and a rollercoaster ride of mixed feelings and loss of friends and struggles in my daily life... I had talked to many therapists and psychologists. I had tried a wide variety of medications and sleeping pills and all of these things were "built up" things that suddenly expressed themselves in the ways they do.. All as a results of living in fear and imprisoning my feelings for years.
I still struggle and suffer from these things to this day, but with years of experience and suffering, I have also learned to handle things better and a little bit easier.
The Goals I Have:
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This education is something I want for many reasons. I want to study health and social care and focus on mental illness. I strive to work as a treatment assistant and I would love to focus on teenagers.
I am 32 years old and I have suffered from mental illness for many years. I see this education as a chance to "self heal" but also to get an even better understanding and to help others. I have been in desperate need of help and I have felt abandoned and alone. I have experienced similar things as many others and I want to use my experience and my suffering to heal the world and help others to live their lives to the fullest. I want to make a difference and if I can help one single person to feel better, it's all been worth it.
I feel bound to be a pillar of support. I truly want to spread my wisdom, my life experience and my story to aid, support and help others... And I am certain that my passion is strong enough to accomplish this. I will never be able to help everyone, but I can help someone.
And that brings me to the call for help. I want your help so I can help others.
The Call For Help:
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I wish I could just start to study, but I haven't been dealt that hand. I cannot change the cards I've been dealt but I can change how I play the hand. And that is why I am asking you for help. I have witnessed so many great things happen on Steemit during my 21 months here and I hope that you can find it in your hearts to once again help a fellow Steemian. This is my call for help. I ask you to help me so that I can help others.
Due to my previous education, I have student debts. I have to pay the debt back before I get eligible a new student loan and I cannot afford to study without student loans.
My total debt is: ~$3000.
At the time I'm writing this, that equates to ~800 SBD. (SBD = $3.73)
This is obviously a huge amount of money and I have been trying to save as much money as possible for a long period of time already. I have approximately $1000 so I need about $2000 more to pay off this entire debt.
I could power down, as my Steemit account is worth approximately ~$3100, but that would mean that the @asapers project I have started would be suspended until further notice and my attempt to pay it forward on Steemit would be down in the gutter. I did not suspend or undelegate my Steem Power when the #StewardsOfGondor initiative got suspended by @fulltimegeek in his quest to fight the cave-troll and I have no intentions of powering down, undelegating or suspend my project.
I could also start to buy a ton of votes from the wide variety of bid bots, but I don't want to ruin the chances for others in the same bid rounds by placing maximum bids. My goal is to encourage, inspire and motivate those around me, so I cannot allow myself to act selfish and greedy. So that's out of the question.
As the education starts 2018-03-19, this gives me only 14 days to accomplish this, and instead of doing the things I've mentioned above... I ask you for help.
What Can You Do?
A Resteem and/or upvote would mean a great deal to me in terms of exposure and rewards. If you consider to upvote this post, I would obviously appreciate if you would consider to upvote it with more weight than your initial thought. (A higher percentage vote).
Any form of donations is obviously very much appreciated too and it would help me to reach this amount faster. Once again, thank you very much for all the amazing support, the fantastic encouraging comments during my entire time on Steemit and thank you for reading this. Thank you!
Application Approved!
A book I need to buy before I start.
My upvote is small, but you've got it, friend.
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Thank you very much, I appreciate it! :)
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While I have already known about you as part of our earlier interactions, I could only lend a small support to you with my 100% vote on this my friend.
I have resteemed this post in the hope that some of my followers lend a support to your cause.
My best wishes to you to achieve your target amount in the stipulated time.
Have a good day.
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I appreciate it very much @coolguy123 and I am grateful for all the help and support! :)
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Anytime for you my friend. Best of luck.
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My upvote is small, but you've got it, friend @hitmeasap
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Thank you very much. I appreciate it! :)
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Thank you @hitmeasap
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Yeah! Some small help coming your way from me also!
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That's awesome! Thank you very much! :)
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Hi @hitmeasap
I want to first congratulate you on the approval of your application. All I believe is that,there's a reason behind the approval of your application in this time. It doesn't matter what you've faced in the past,this is a call to start a new journey that will not only help you but to help others. Anyone that put the interest of others at the center of their heart can never go stranded.
I believe the provisions to all your needs will be made available in a way that's beyond your imagination.
Wishing you all the best.
I give my own cent at 100% and with a resteem
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Thank you very much @funkylove, I truly appreciate your kind words and your upvote+resteem. :)
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upvoted to help!
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Thank you very much! :)
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Congrats on getting in! Hopefully the community will pull through to help you on the loan! I'll see what i can do.
I have a huge student debt as well but that one is on a long-term payment plan, so i'm not worried about it now.
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Yeah, it feels really great.. But I'm also very nervous at the same time! :)
I have/had a long-term payment plan for my student debt too, but due to the debt and my new education plans, I need to pay back the loan in full before I'll be eligible a new loan.
I know that I'm asking for alot, but each cent adds up so I'm truly grateful for each upvote I get. :)
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Thank you very much for the @buildawhale vote!! Damn, that's awesome! I truly appreciate it!
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You're welcome :)
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Congratulations, and well deserved after all your tribulations.
What are you going to study btw?
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Thank you very much for your donation! :)
I'm going to study "Vård och Omsorg med inriktning psykiatri" as it's called in Sweden. Which translates to "health and social care and psychiatry" so I can work as a treatment assistant.
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Sounds great in Swedish, and a very worthwhile topic to study, probably be lots of really sound and interesting people on the course. I love studying, and the whole HE environment, one of the best things in the world!
I would upvote you a bit more, but my VP's a little on low side ATM, hence the donation. Just a kick-starter, because it's educational.
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I truly appreciate your generosity, and the generosity from this entire platform. I have already gotten so much kind and warm comments, a donation from you, a vote from a bid bot and so forth. It's truly amazing to see how much Steemit as a platform and this community can achieve together.
I have been here for such a long time so I've been part of, and witnessed many great things on Steemit during my time here, but it still continues to amaze me how much love, compassion and generosity we have here. It's truly amazing and incredible.
My goal is to work as a treatment assistant and focus on teenagers who suffers from mental illness. Mostly due to my own experience and due to the growing passion I have for it. I want to heal the world for a little bit, and I know I'll be able to have an impact and make a difference by helping one person at the time.
If I can help one single person to live their life to the fullest, each step I've had to take towards that has all been worth it. I cannot change the whole world or help everyone, but I can help someone, and that's what I'm striving for.
Thank you once again!
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Very noble goals, and I'm sure you'll help many many people over the years!
And yes, there is a lot of good stuff going on on steemit!
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Saw your little "blitz" :). Glad to see this doing well! I know it's not enough, but I hope it helps. Maybe you'll only have to power down some of your SP.
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I really don't want to power down anymore. I've been forced to do that in the past but I am eager to build my account along with my following and my reputation on Steemit, so I'll do whatever I can to not power down. There's still some time left and I am trying to stay positive! :)
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Hey @hitmeasap 💖 just a heartfelt virtual hug coming your way. Congratulations on being accepted! That is exciting. But, as life has it's way ~ it comes with a lot of pressure. I am curious, can you postpone your start date to the next intake? To relieve some pressure? Sometimes, it seems to me that, there tends to be so much pressure culturally to rush and push! Anxiey and stress get to be seen as normal expected states i wonder why? does it have to be so much to handle all the time? Goodnes knows, school in and of itself, the way they are all set up (sadly) is going to be a lot of pressure. When really, what is the rush? If the timing us not quite right, then just wait! If you think of yourself as a very calm content joyful healthy 93 year old man who has helped so so so so so many people by being the pillar of calm, collected, sure footed and reliable to your friends, family and peers ( so really being yourself! as you are demonstrating through your actions and character at present), --- Will it reall matter if you started your education in 10ish day from now or in 6 month to a year from now? You can answet that for yourself. Is the added strain and pressure of paying off the loan right now worth it? Might it be more reasonable to take some pressure off and just enjoy every single day/ step of the journey? I obviously don't know all the details. And, i am optomistic that support will come through for you and you will be able to start in a few days. But, maybe this is an avenue you have not considered.
It's really nice to get to know you personally @hitmeasap, the way that you have shared with us in this post. It really helps me to get to know you better. Your dad is so proud of you! The man you are, the man you've been. And, the man you are becoming. My great-grandma died in my arms it was a beautiful and sacred experience i would never want to give back. It is a blessing you had those precious moments with your dad too. As terrifying and haunting as it might be, it is better that you were together than him being alone imo. My dad passed away in March 2002, 16 years ago this year. He stayed on to work two extra weeks and on his last day died in a car accident on his way back home afterwork. Work, will always be there. Work will not go away. It's the blessings and spaces between work/ life/ play that really matter again imo. So, check in with yourself, how do those spaces inbetween feel? They are super valuable!!
And, honestly from my heart to yours, you have already made a huge difference in my life! I am beyond thankful for you! Your belief in me. Your kind message that day that advised me (semi quote!) 'take your time, no rush' It brought me tears to feel that compassion and meant so much. I will never forget it. (I was falling into the pressure trap at the time too).
Wishing you lots of love and many blessing and more peace than you know what to do with!! Jill 🌱🌻
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Now, I wish I had more Steem Power because you deserve so much more than what I'm capable of rewarding you for this comment.
I don't even know what to say. Thank you @yogajill!
I have 5 days to confirm my spot, and there's still about 2 weeks before I start, so I feel that I have time.. And I also feel that it's doable to achieve this. Sure, it will require a ton of luck but each cent I make brings me closer to the goal and I truly want this education, so I will try my best to make this happen. Without powering down and such.
I'm also glad that I've been able to make a difference for you, in one way or another. That's my true goal in life and on Steemit. To make a difference. Thank you! :)
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You're welcome 💖 You're well on your way! I am happy and excited for you for your next steps in your journey!! I find school is so fun that way. So nice to meet a group of like minded people and work so closely with them in such a focused way.
There is something i could use a hand with when you have a bit of time. And, if you are up for it. If you have any reference links or if you can help me with bid bots i'd like to try them out. Been saving up some SBD to try them. I think it is time to give that route a go. 😊
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I'm always here to help in any way I can! :)
However, I do believe that it would be easier to do it on Discord, but if you'd rather have that discussion here, I'm okay with that too.
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Cool! Thanks so much. Discord is good, i am getting used to it. Just let me know when's a good time. I am winding down to sleep now so maybe another time?
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Yeah sure. We can do it another time. No worries. :)
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I'm sure that a lot of better things will happens to you♡
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Thank you!
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You welcome!
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You have my upvote, resteem and full support. Congratulations to you @hitmeasap, the sky is your starting point.
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Thank you very much for the support! I appreciate it. :)
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I wish I could you send you some SBDs.
But I am trying to grow myself to support my friends who joined Steemit. I am using bots to grow my power.
I wish I had some to spare.
All I can do best now is to help you with my upvotes ! :)
Sorry about that.. Keep going on.
You are trying to help others because you know that sufferings can break someone eventually.
It's natural to expect some help in return !
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I appreciate your kind gesture, thoughts and the support. As always. Each cent adds up and gets me closer to the goal I have. I am truly grateful for all the support.
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You got a 2.61% upvote from @buildawhale courtesy of @howtostartablog!
If you believe this post is spam or abuse, please report it to our Discord #abuse channel.
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Hmm, I believe congratulations are in order? 😁 Better late than never, so CONGRATULATIONS on finally being accepted!🎉🎉
I believe this! Just focus, don't lose hope, keep believing that you will be able to achieve whatever it is that you have set your mind on, and the most important of all, do not stop doing and giving your best, and the universe will surely do the rest to make it happen.
I wish you with all the best, you deserve it!👊
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