Please say hello to first-time contributor Britta Froehling, a 39-year-old woman living in Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. Britta was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder, Depression, Substance Abuse and Eating Disorders, but has overcome most of these afflictions, and found better ways to express herself and to deal with life’s joys and sorrows.

About this photo: “This photo was taken when I was obsessed with the veins in leaves. I would hold them up to the light, marvelling at how they look like my veins which are moving blood through my body. I have forgiven myself for all the self-harm inflicted on my body and am grateful for being alive. I marvel at how strong and yet at the same time how fragile the human body is. Mental illnesses are a journey, and things can get better as we grow like trees, rooting yet reaching to the heavens.” 

Find more from Britta at her blog and flickr.

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