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Dear Stranger | Diana Chao | TEDxTeen


[Music]

[Music] [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] dear stranger I don’t know what to write

dear stranger I don’t know what to write

dear stranger I don’t know what to write so I just pull on the bevels of my

so I just pull on the bevels of my

so I just pull on the bevels of my laptop keys with my fingernails hypo and

laptop keys with my fingernails hypo and

laptop keys with my fingernails hypo and Po and pull until it starts to hurt and

Po and pull until it starts to hurt and

Po and pull until it starts to hurt and I stare blankly at nothing until tears

I stare blankly at nothing until tears

I stare blankly at nothing until tears well up again and I sob so hard I wonder

well up again and I sob so hard I wonder

well up again and I sob so hard I wonder if my heart is ringing itself dry I

if my heart is ringing itself dry I

if my heart is ringing itself dry I don’t know what to say except that

don’t know what to say except that

don’t know what to say except that sometimes everything hurts so bad I

sometimes everything hurts so bad I

sometimes everything hurts so bad I don’t know what to do my arms quake and

don’t know what to do my arms quake and

don’t know what to do my arms quake and my legs shake and I am a puddle I am a

my legs shake and I am a puddle I am a

my legs shake and I am a puddle I am a string I am Freya wavering young

string I am Freya wavering young

string I am Freya wavering young existence but never quite making it

existence but never quite making it

existence but never quite making it there hot code burns up my arms and

there hot code burns up my arms and

there hot code burns up my arms and elephant wakes up in my head I can’t

elephant wakes up in my head I can’t

elephant wakes up in my head I can’t think around it I wonder I wonder what

think around it I wonder I wonder what

think around it I wonder I wonder what would happen if I poured this elephant

would happen if I poured this elephant

would happen if I poured this elephant out dumped it onto a stretcher and

out dumped it onto a stretcher and

out dumped it onto a stretcher and shipped it out of my brain how would

shipped it out of my brain how would

shipped it out of my brain how would that weightlessness feel like how do

that weightlessness feel like how do

that weightlessness feel like how do people live without that anvil seed

people live without that anvil seed

people live without that anvil seed inside their mouth I wonder what it’s

inside their mouth I wonder what it’s

inside their mouth I wonder what it’s like to laugh without having to claw

like to laugh without having to claw

like to laugh without having to claw your throat open first I should stop

your throat open first I should stop

your throat open first I should stop this here I can feel myself slipping I

this here I can feel myself slipping I

this here I can feel myself slipping I don’t know I guess I’ll talk soon I have

don’t know I guess I’ll talk soon I have

don’t know I guess I’ll talk soon I have nothing else to say even though I feel

nothing else to say even though I feel

nothing else to say even though I feel like I should end this on a positive

like I should end this on a positive

like I should end this on a positive note I don’t know I don’t know I don’t

note I don’t know I don’t know I don’t

note I don’t know I don’t know I don’t know what are you gonna do about it what

know what are you gonna do about it what

know what are you gonna do about it what am I gonna do about it

am I gonna do about it

am I gonna do about it I wrote this letter for myself at 14 I

I wrote this letter for myself at 14 I

I wrote this letter for myself at 14 I still dabble in bedazzled hair bands and

still dabble in bedazzled hair bands and

still dabble in bedazzled hair bands and wear shirts with neon slogans like

wear shirts with neon slogans like

wear shirts with neon slogans like you’re looking at awesome

you’re looking at awesome

you’re looking at awesome so when paying pokes me over like a

so when paying pokes me over like a

so when paying pokes me over like a scientific specimen it was like

scientific specimen it was like

scientific specimen it was like depression and bipolar disorder had

depression and bipolar disorder had

depression and bipolar disorder had stitched a stranger in my place

stitched a stranger in my place

stitched a stranger in my place you see I wrote this letter to remind

you see I wrote this letter to remind

you see I wrote this letter to remind myself that despite where everyone else

myself that despite where everyone else

myself that despite where everyone else was saying I was tell me that this was

was saying I was tell me that this was

was saying I was tell me that this was real legitimate

real legitimate

real legitimate I’m still me and this is just me in the

I’m still me and this is just me in the

I’m still me and this is just me in the midst of trying I wrote this letter as a

midst of trying I wrote this letter as a

midst of trying I wrote this letter as a secret but Here I am reading it aloud

secret but Here I am reading it aloud

secret but Here I am reading it aloud for the public you see sound travels at

for the public you see sound travels at

for the public you see sound travels at the speed of 343 m/s through air so it’s

the speed of 343 m/s through air so it’s

the speed of 343 m/s through air so it’s a little too late for me to take all

a little too late for me to take all

a little too late for me to take all that back but if I took a step back I

that back but if I took a step back I

that back but if I took a step back I guess it’s better to not backtrack

guess it’s better to not backtrack

guess it’s better to not backtrack because you see this summer I interview

because you see this summer I interview

because you see this summer I interview people about mental health from the

people about mental health from the

people about mental health from the wealthiest districts of San Francisco

wealthiest districts of San Francisco

wealthiest districts of San Francisco where a single bedroom apartment can

where a single bedroom apartment can

where a single bedroom apartment can cost more than an entire rural mansion

cost more than an entire rural mansion

cost more than an entire rural mansion two neighborhoods where concoctions of

two neighborhoods where concoctions of

two neighborhoods where concoctions of drugs would punch through air to assault

drugs would punch through air to assault

drugs would punch through air to assault far more than nostrils urine staining

far more than nostrils urine staining

far more than nostrils urine staining the streets like murals no matter where

the streets like murals no matter where

the streets like murals no matter where I went people would always blurt the

I went people would always blurt the

I went people would always blurt the same question hold on you’re doing this

same question hold on you’re doing this

same question hold on you’re doing this because you have a personal connection

because you have a personal connection

because you have a personal connection how do you feel so sad at such a young

how do you feel so sad at such a young

how do you feel so sad at such a young age their faces were folding with shock

age their faces were folding with shock

age their faces were folding with shock as if I blamed anxiety on the rising

as if I blamed anxiety on the rising

as if I blamed anxiety on the rising costs of avocado toast or god forbid a

costs of avocado toast or god forbid a

costs of avocado toast or god forbid a bee on a math test I wonder if they

bee on a math test I wonder if they

bee on a math test I wonder if they think the chickenpox vaccine makes

think the chickenpox vaccine makes

think the chickenpox vaccine makes children immune to trauma and exhaustion

children immune to trauma and exhaustion

children immune to trauma and exhaustion too apparently

too apparently

too apparently human emotions are too complex of

human emotions are too complex of

human emotions are too complex of sensations to be felt by youth but 20%

sensations to be felt by youth but 20%

sensations to be felt by youth but 20% of youth aged 13 to 18 live with a

of youth aged 13 to 18 live with a

of youth aged 13 to 18 live with a mental health condition 50% of all

mental health condition 50% of all

mental health condition 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin

lifetime cases of mental illness begin

lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24 37 percent

by age 14 and 75% by age 24 37 percent

by age 14 and 75% by age 24 37 percent of students aged 14 and up with a mental

of students aged 14 and up with a mental

of students aged 14 and up with a mental illness drop out of school

illness drop out of school

illness drop out of school that’s the highest dropout rate of any

that’s the highest dropout rate of any

that’s the highest dropout rate of any disability group suicide it’s the second

disability group suicide it’s the second

disability group suicide it’s the second leading cause of death in the u.s. from

leading cause of death in the u.s. from

leading cause of death in the u.s. from the age of 15 all the way up to 34

the age of 15 all the way up to 34

the age of 15 all the way up to 34 that’s crazy

that’s crazy

that’s crazy right I mean get this more than twice

right I mean get this more than twice

right I mean get this more than twice the number of Americans die by suicide a

the number of Americans die by suicide a

the number of Americans die by suicide a year then

year then

year then homicide can you imagine if anything

homicide can you imagine if anything

homicide can you imagine if anything else Hattie statistics I mean here’s an

else Hattie statistics I mean here’s an

else Hattie statistics I mean here’s an example there are only 11 cases of Ebola

example there are only 11 cases of Ebola

example there are only 11 cases of Ebola reported in the entire US but if you

reported in the entire US but if you

reported in the entire US but if you went online in 2014 it was like the

went online in 2014 it was like the

went online in 2014 it was like the goddamn apocalypse had arrived if

goddamn apocalypse had arrived if

goddamn apocalypse had arrived if somebody coughed on the bus I don’t care

somebody coughed on the bus I don’t care

somebody coughed on the bus I don’t care if it was the Pope we were all gonna die

if it was the Pope we were all gonna die

if it was the Pope we were all gonna die so why doesn’t mental health get the

so why doesn’t mental health get the

so why doesn’t mental health get the same attention 800,000 people die by

same attention 800,000 people die by

same attention 800,000 people die by suicide every year worldwide that’s

suicide every year worldwide that’s

suicide every year worldwide that’s twice the number of American soldiers

twice the number of American soldiers

twice the number of American soldiers who died in World War two yet even with

who died in World War two yet even with

who died in World War two yet even with severe depression eighty percent of

severe depression eighty percent of

severe depression eighty percent of American youth received no or

American youth received no or

American youth received no or insufficient treatment and get this we

insufficient treatment and get this we

insufficient treatment and get this we lose 1.6 million years of life every

lose 1.6 million years of life every

lose 1.6 million years of life every year due to suicide so if we just

year due to suicide so if we just

year due to suicide so if we just stacked 40 years of suicides we’ve got

stacked 40 years of suicides we’ve got

stacked 40 years of suicides we’ve got enough years to go back and see the

enough years to go back and see the

enough years to go back and see the Tyrannosaurus Rex serious mental illness

Tyrannosaurus Rex serious mental illness

Tyrannosaurus Rex serious mental illness cost the United States 193 point two

cost the United States 193 point two

cost the United States 193 point two billion dollars in lost earnings every

billion dollars in lost earnings every

billion dollars in lost earnings every year that’s more money than Jeff Bezos

year that’s more money than Jeff Bezos

year that’s more money than Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates combined so why is it

and Bill Gates combined so why is it

and Bill Gates combined so why is it that mental illness claims more money

that mental illness claims more money

that mental illness claims more money than the two richest people in the world

than the two richest people in the world

than the two richest people in the world why is it that when I talk about suicide

why is it that when I talk about suicide

why is it that when I talk about suicide people told me – the shadows whisper as

people told me – the shadows whisper as

people told me – the shadows whisper as if you were criminals mental health is

if you were criminals mental health is

if you were criminals mental health is not a joke mental health goes wherever

not a joke mental health goes wherever

not a joke mental health goes wherever we go mental health conditions can

we go mental health conditions can

we go mental health conditions can affect anyone anywhere at any time and

affect anyone anywhere at any time and

affect anyone anywhere at any time and any age this is not a moral dilemma no

any age this is not a moral dilemma no

any age this is not a moral dilemma no one chooses mental illness like they

one chooses mental illness like they

one chooses mental illness like they choose outfits a textile merchant from

choose outfits a textile merchant from

choose outfits a textile merchant from Somalia once told me that mental health

Somalia once told me that mental health

Somalia once told me that mental health should be as normal as the rising and

should be as normal as the rising and

should be as normal as the rising and Setting Sun we can’t afford to wait

Setting Sun we can’t afford to wait

Setting Sun we can’t afford to wait until it’s our sons holding to their

until it’s our sons holding to their

until it’s our sons holding to their head that gun why people don’t seek help

head that gun why people don’t seek help

head that gun why people don’t seek help for mental illness is often because of

for mental illness is often because of

for mental illness is often because of stigma

stigma

stigma at 14 I was diagnosed with anterior

at 14 I was diagnosed with anterior

at 14 I was diagnosed with anterior uveitis this really fancy term which

uveitis this really fancy term which

uveitis this really fancy term which basically meant that my eyes were

basically meant that my eyes were

basically meant that my eyes were inflamed and sometimes it would pop my

inflamed and sometimes it would pop my

inflamed and sometimes it would pop my eyes pined for weeks or at least days at

eyes pined for weeks or at least days at

eyes pined for weeks or at least days at a time

a time

a time and when I would reach out for help the

and when I would reach out for help the

and when I would reach out for help the response was and still is always yes of

response was and still is always yes of

response was and still is always yes of course you are so strong but even now I

course you are so strong but even now I

course you are so strong but even now I am terrified of talking about mental

am terrified of talking about mental

am terrified of talking about mental health afraid that if I said the wrong

health afraid that if I said the wrong

health afraid that if I said the wrong word someone will tell me I’m crazy

word someone will tell me I’m crazy

word someone will tell me I’m crazy dismiss all that I’m saying like

dismiss all that I’m saying like

dismiss all that I’m saying like admitting mental illness is giving them

admitting mental illness is giving them

admitting mental illness is giving them ammunition and my voice it’s a tart

afraid that if I spoke my truth my story

afraid that if I spoke my truth my story someone somewhere will still tell me I’m

someone somewhere will still tell me I’m

someone somewhere will still tell me I’m romanticizing without bothering to let

romanticizing without bothering to let

romanticizing without bothering to let me finish tell me that I’m just making

me finish tell me that I’m just making

me finish tell me that I’m just making it worse say that you don’t know what

it worse say that you don’t know what

it worse say that you don’t know what you’re talking about please just shut up

you’re talking about please just shut up

you’re talking about please just shut up because what do I know about mental

because what do I know about mental

because what do I know about mental illness what do I know about mental

illness what do I know about mental

illness what do I know about mental illness except that sometimes I see long

illness except that sometimes I see long

illness except that sometimes I see long short robes I see flashbacks Frost by

short robes I see flashbacks Frost by

short robes I see flashbacks Frost by crawling up my thighs my eyes placed

crawling up my thighs my eyes placed

crawling up my thighs my eyes placed over my head berating XL sweaters making

over my head berating XL sweaters making

over my head berating XL sweaters making a god I didn’t believing to not let me

a god I didn’t believing to not let me

a god I didn’t believing to not let me pass him to not let him see me am i

pass him to not let him see me am i

pass him to not let him see me am i alive in my life am i alive

alive in my life am i alive

alive in my life am i alive still hurt slipped into my ears and my

still hurt slipped into my ears and my

still hurt slipped into my ears and my blood the way Thunder slips into ears by

blood the way Thunder slips into ears by

blood the way Thunder slips into ears by which I mean less of a slip and more of

which I mean less of a slip and more of

which I mean less of a slip and more of a tearing or a prayer loneliness can

a tearing or a prayer loneliness can

a tearing or a prayer loneliness can creep on you like old age and sometimes

creep on you like old age and sometimes

creep on you like old age and sometimes I wonder even how in hindsight I still

I wonder even how in hindsight I still

I wonder even how in hindsight I still find pieces of my past tossing between

find pieces of my past tossing between

find pieces of my past tossing between the lines so what do I know about mental

the lines so what do I know about mental

the lines so what do I know about mental illness except that I am a human being

illness except that I am a human being

illness except that I am a human being and and if I were to bring mental health

and and if I were to bring mental health

and and if I were to bring mental health to the conversation some people take

to the conversation some people take

to the conversation some people take that declaration as confirmation that I

that declaration as confirmation that I

that declaration as confirmation that I don’t belong in the station like they’re

don’t belong in the station like they’re

don’t belong in the station like they’re waiting for me to stream do something

waiting for me to stream do something

waiting for me to stream do something real normal humans wouldn’t but I am

real normal humans wouldn’t but I am

real normal humans wouldn’t but I am here and I started letters to strangers

here and I started letters to strangers

here and I started letters to strangers in my sophomore year of high school

in my sophomore year of high school

in my sophomore year of high school because I was exhausted of proving my

because I was exhausted of proving my

because I was exhausted of proving my humaneness why can’t people just treat

humaneness why can’t people just treat

humaneness why can’t people just treat people as people the answer I knew

people as people the answer I knew

people as people the answer I knew spelled empathy but how could anyone

spelled empathy but how could anyone

spelled empathy but how could anyone understand me if no one would listen to

understand me if no one would listen to

understand me if no one would listen to my story well so that’s why letters

my story well so that’s why letters

my story well so that’s why letters matter you see writing matters writing

matter you see writing matters writing

matter you see writing matters writing matters because when we erase the burden

matters because when we erase the burden

matters because when we erase the burden of judgment when you know not my name my

of judgment when you know not my name my

of judgment when you know not my name my background or my diagnosis my story

background or my diagnosis my story

background or my diagnosis my story becomes the only thing that matters a

becomes the only thing that matters a

becomes the only thing that matters a human connection becomes the only viable

human connection becomes the only viable

human connection becomes the only viable solution and for once I have total

solution and for once I have total

solution and for once I have total agency I will choose to write with a

agency I will choose to write with a

agency I will choose to write with a purple colored pencil I will choose to

purple colored pencil I will choose to

purple colored pencil I will choose to write on stationary paper for the fight

write on stationary paper for the fight

write on stationary paper for the fight with Chewbacca’s and stripes I will

with Chewbacca’s and stripes I will

with Chewbacca’s and stripes I will choose to write in cursive adding an

choose to write in cursive adding an

choose to write in cursive adding an origami crane I will choose to be the

origami crane I will choose to be the

origami crane I will choose to be the protagonist but maybe next time I would

protagonist but maybe next time I would

protagonist but maybe next time I would just listening I all right dear stranger

just listening I all right dear stranger

just listening I all right dear stranger exhale the rust from my heart a few

exhale the rust from my heart a few

exhale the rust from my heart a few months ago I met Michael now

months ago I met Michael now

months ago I met Michael now Michael had been homeless on the streets

Michael had been homeless on the streets

Michael had been homeless on the streets of downtown Berkeley for 17 years

of downtown Berkeley for 17 years

of downtown Berkeley for 17 years bipolar disorder had dulled his career

bipolar disorder had dulled his career

bipolar disorder had dulled his career but not his spirit after our talk

but not his spirit after our talk

but not his spirit after our talk Michael looked at me with tears in his

Michael looked at me with tears in his

Michael looked at me with tears in his eyes gray as the sea right before his

eyes gray as the sea right before his

eyes gray as the sea right before his sunrise and he said I just want to be

sunrise and he said I just want to be

sunrise and he said I just want to be well enough to help somebody else that’s

well enough to help somebody else that’s

well enough to help somebody else that’s exactly what letters The Strangers wants

exactly what letters The Strangers wants

exactly what letters The Strangers wants to do you see we write letters to

to do you see we write letters to

to do you see we write letters to strangers as strangers exchanging

strangers as strangers exchanging

strangers as strangers exchanging between countries and schools and

between countries and schools and

between countries and schools and organizations dedicated to youth whose

organizations dedicated to youth whose

organizations dedicated to youth whose lives tour with a scar of war and abuse

lives tour with a scar of war and abuse

lives tour with a scar of war and abuse we do this because the human connection

we do this because the human connection

we do this because the human connection matters empathy matters creative

matters empathy matters creative

matters empathy matters creative dialogue matters someone somewhere may

dialogue matters someone somewhere may

dialogue matters someone somewhere may be wondering the same questions as you

be wondering the same questions as you

be wondering the same questions as you they may feel alone but with your letter

they may feel alone but with your letter

they may feel alone but with your letter that someone somewhere knows that

that someone somewhere knows that

that someone somewhere knows that someone somewhere thinks of them too you

someone somewhere thinks of them too you

someone somewhere thinks of them too you see writing is humanity distilled into

see writing is humanity distilled into

see writing is humanity distilled into ink one letter one human connection can

ink one letter one human connection can

ink one letter one human connection can and has saved a life over the past four

and has saved a life over the past four

and has saved a life over the past four years

years

years letters of strangers has impacted over

letters of strangers has impacted over

letters of strangers has impacted over 27,000 people on four continents and now

27,000 people on four continents and now

27,000 people on four continents and now we’ve expanded to beyond just letters

we’ve expanded to beyond just letters

we’ve expanded to beyond just letters now we fight for mental health by

now we fight for mental health by

now we fight for mental health by advocating for political reform

advocating for political reform

advocating for political reform education peer support networks and you

education peer support networks and you

education peer support networks and you too can join the fights you know many

too can join the fights you know many

too can join the fights you know many public schools lack the legal and

public schools lack the legal and

public schools lack the legal and financial ability to properly

financial ability to properly

financial ability to properly accommodate students with mental

accommodate students with mental

accommodate students with mental disabilities why not call your

disabilities why not call your

disabilities why not call your legislators of all that or about how we

legislators of all that or about how we

legislators of all that or about how we can’t just shove anyone with any science

can’t just shove anyone with any science

can’t just shove anyone with any science into a psych ward because our current

into a psych ward because our current

into a psych ward because our current system medicates

system medicates

system medicates and in prisons while neglecting to

and in prisons while neglecting to

and in prisons while neglecting to educate with peer discussions talking

educate with peer discussions talking

educate with peer discussions talking about mental health matters not because

about mental health matters not because

about mental health matters not because of everyone who cares but because of

of everyone who cares but because of

of everyone who cares but because of everyone who doesn’t if we’re going to

everyone who doesn’t if we’re going to

everyone who doesn’t if we’re going to distinct I smell illness we’re going to

distinct I smell illness we’re going to

distinct I smell illness we’re going to have to start by embodying the power of

have to start by embodying the power of

have to start by embodying the power of writing in our daily lives so listen ask

writing in our daily lives so listen ask

writing in our daily lives so listen ask questions think before we speak

questions think before we speak

questions think before we speak understand before we interject trust

understand before we interject trust

understand before we interject trust that these conversations need to be had

that these conversations need to be had

that these conversations need to be had don’t you dare talk yourself down write

don’t you dare talk yourself down write

don’t you dare talk yourself down write a letter to a stranger don’t be afraid

a letter to a stranger don’t be afraid

a letter to a stranger don’t be afraid learn and fight don’t joke about suicide

learn and fight don’t joke about suicide

learn and fight don’t joke about suicide and and don’t equate someone else’s

and and don’t equate someone else’s

and and don’t equate someone else’s difference to a guarantee of a mental

difference to a guarantee of a mental

difference to a guarantee of a mental health condition don’t insist on yoga as

health condition don’t insist on yoga as

health condition don’t insist on yoga as the one-stop solution

the one-stop solution

the one-stop solution and don’t buy into the lazy toxic

and don’t buy into the lazy toxic

and don’t buy into the lazy toxic weakness of stereotypes and the existing

weakness of stereotypes and the existing

weakness of stereotypes and the existing of people that you are weak because of a

of people that you are weak because of a

of people that you are weak because of a mental health condition mental illness

mental health condition mental illness

mental health condition mental illness can mean battling dragons only to find

can mean battling dragons only to find

can mean battling dragons only to find their nests in our chests and we learned

their nests in our chests and we learned

their nests in our chests and we learned to live with fire so where is the

to live with fire so where is the

to live with fire so where is the weakness in that how can there be

weakness in that how can there be

weakness in that how can there be weakness in that someone somewhere

weakness in that someone somewhere

weakness in that someone somewhere August 2017 dear stranger almost one

August 2017 dear stranger almost one

August 2017 dear stranger almost one year on antidepressants there’s a lot to

year on antidepressants there’s a lot to

year on antidepressants there’s a lot to think about

think about

think about I came out I joined my Catholic schools

I came out I joined my Catholic schools

I came out I joined my Catholic schools LGBT group started volunteering at an

LGBT group started volunteering at an

LGBT group started volunteering at an LGBT Center got my driving permit

LGBT Center got my driving permit

LGBT Center got my driving permit started my first job applied to

started my first job applied to

started my first job applied to scholarships graduated from high school

scholarships graduated from high school

scholarships graduated from high school summa laude was accepted to my dream

summa laude was accepted to my dream

summa laude was accepted to my dream school celebrated my anniversary with my

school celebrated my anniversary with my

school celebrated my anniversary with my girlfriend in all honesty I am proud of

girlfriend in all honesty I am proud of

girlfriend in all honesty I am proud of what I’ve accomplished but I still have

what I’ve accomplished but I still have

what I’ve accomplished but I still have depression and anxiety

depression and anxiety

depression and anxiety sure I’ve learned to manage it better

sure I’ve learned to manage it better

sure I’ve learned to manage it better and out of a long lasting and deep ruts

and out of a long lasting and deep ruts

and out of a long lasting and deep ruts and my worst days are less frequent but

and my worst days are less frequent but

and my worst days are less frequent but I still have days weeks when I see no

I still have days weeks when I see no

I still have days weeks when I see no point of getting out of bed or talking

point of getting out of bed or talking

point of getting out of bed or talking to anybody my brain tells me I have no

to anybody my brain tells me I have no

to anybody my brain tells me I have no friends

friends

friends I hear echoes sometimes on my head seems

I hear echoes sometimes on my head seems

I hear echoes sometimes on my head seems empty what if I get worse again what if

empty what if I get worse again what if

empty what if I get worse again what if the Mets are the only thing keeping me

the Mets are the only thing keeping me

the Mets are the only thing keeping me somewhat saying

somewhat saying

somewhat saying so what ups and downs are natural in

so what ups and downs are natural in

so what ups and downs are natural in life and there’s nothing wrong with

life and there’s nothing wrong with

life and there’s nothing wrong with needing a little help so what I’m

needing a little help so what I’m

needing a little help so what I’m managing each day and that’s what

managing each day and that’s what

managing each day and that’s what matters what matters is that I’m alive

matters what matters is that I’m alive

matters what matters is that I’m alive I’ve made strides and I’m learning more

I’ve made strides and I’m learning more

I’ve made strides and I’m learning more about Who I am every day I’m still

about Who I am every day I’m still

about Who I am every day I’m still teaching myself that I am enough

teaching myself that I am enough

teaching myself that I am enough I can see a light at the end of the

I can see a light at the end of the

I can see a light at the end of the tunnel and I know each day is another

tunnel and I know each day is another

tunnel and I know each day is another chance for happiness I will be damned if

chance for happiness I will be damned if

chance for happiness I will be damned if I don’t give each chance my best shot

I don’t give each chance my best shot

I don’t give each chance my best shot yours truly a stranger

yours truly a stranger

yours truly a stranger [Applause]

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