City: Asheville

Brain Injury: At 21 months old I was in a near drowning and deprived of oxygen for an unknown length of time.

Explanation of mask:  I adore symbolism and used colors to symbolize my feelings and experiences.  I put yellow to represent that I’m dependent and I am not sure I will ever not be dependent.  The yellow is over my eyes because my dependency is staring me in the face.  I’m trying to be positive but also realistic.  I put red because I do have excessive emotions.  My emotions go everywhere.  They are very dramatic and there are lots of them.  They feel extremely strong.  Orange because I do have lots of good relationships and lots of confidence but I also lack self-discipline and motivation.  I’m unable to do anything without another person there encouraging me.  I am not able to think good thoughts on my own.  I need other people to be positive for me and push good thoughts into my head.  My emotions are very difficult to control which has the biggest impact on me.  My family and animals are important to me because they love me and are willing to help me out in any way necessary.  Some things I like about myself are that I am good with words—they are a major, major strength of mine.  I am able to express myself well verbally.  Many people might think I am selfish because I ask for so much but I am really very generous.  I only ask for so much because I am not able to go out and get it for myself.