When I arrived at Portage, I was broken. I was in pain, I cried, and I ran from everything that scared me. I was a bundle of tiny fragments held together only by my skin.
One day at a time, I had to dig deep inside myself—gather each scattered piece, examine them, understand them… and slowly, put them back in the right place. For each piece—especially the ones I struggled most to face—there was someone by my side.
Even when I wanted to run, when I said I was too broken, when I was ready to give up… someone still believed in me. Someone was fighting for me.
And then, one day, I learned to stand tall—without crutches. That’s when I knew: it was my turn to be there for others. To give back what had been so generously given to me.
What I once thought was impossible, I accomplished. And through this journey, I found a family. Now, no matter where I go, I know I have a place I can call home.
Thank you, Portage.
Tess, Adolescents and Young Adults Program, Portage Lac Écho, 2024
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