Charlie

I’m ok…I wasn’t always even when I thought I was. 

I was diagnosed at 17 in 2001. I can't remember the day or even the month but I know it was 2001.  I didn’t know what it really meant for a long time.  I struggled to find the best way to process it leading to me frequently oversharing as a way to just feel some relief of saying it outloud.  There were no peer support groups, no internet as it is today and a lot of unanswered questions. 

I have been brought up to be strong and I thought that meant I had to figure it out on my own. Bury the bad feelings and carry on with a smile.  It was years later when I realised the importance of being able to find the right support. I remember the first peer support meeting I went to at the hospital and it was incredible to meet others with MRKH. It helped me realise I was not alone but at the same time I still felt I was at times. Something didn’t sit right.  That’s when I realised that psychological support was something I also needed but it felt like I was giving in, like I couldn’t cope on my own.  It took me a long time to realise that wasn’t the case that having support was as much a part of my journey as everything else. 

MRKH will always be part of me, it hasn’t always been easy but finding my own path has been a big part of finding my happiness.