We had so much fun getting know Erica the creator of InspierHer T-shirts! What a wounderful women she was and a HUGE insperation to myself! Lets see what she has to say about being a teen mom, getting her journalisum degree, and createing InspierHer!
Each of us has a story to share. Growing up, I was a happy, thriving little girl. My world was full of joy, and I was blessed with a caring, amazing mother who loved me unconditionally. I was blessed with family who would do anything for me. My joy was their joy, and my happiness was their happiness.
As I matured into a young teen, my perspectives and viewpoints about life started to shift. More specifically, the way I viewed my own life started to change. Little by little, my self-worth became diminished, which snowballed into me becoming depressed and confused. In fact, it got to a point where I didn't even want to continue living. I wanted to call it quits; and I attempted to do just that. I was 14 years old. My world had become dark, and I had become lost. We all go through seasons of hurt, pain and confusion. Thankfully, I had my family who helped pick me back up after that tragic season. Not long after, I met a boy who I decided I wanted to spend 'forever' with. Yep, I had made up my mind, and no one could tell me any differently. Well....I became pregnant at the age of 16. Talk about a wake-up call, in more ways than one! I was still a baby...about to have a baby! I would soon learn, in many ways, that life as a teen mom would not be easy. But, there was no turning back. I was determined to give my son, Nicholas, the very best life that I could. After graduating from high school, I went on to earning two degrees from Phoenix College, and moved on to earn my bachelor's degree from ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. Nicholas became my inspiration to excel and succeed. The way I look at it, God saved my life, literally...and then blessed me with NEW life - in the form of my son.The reality is, if I had known then what I know now, I would have understood that I was created to make a difference in this world. I was never created to live depressed, defeated, guilty, condemned, ashamed or unworthy – but was created to be victorious! And so are you.
My vision is to use inspireHER to share this message with girls and women around the world, one encouraging shirt at a time.
Each of us has a story so unique...not worthy of comparison. Each of us is created as unique as a fingerprint. Each of us is 100% original!
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