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Dear Brandon Marshall, Thank You for Speaking Out About Borderline Personality Disorder

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Dear Brandon Marshall,

Thank you. Thank you for using your platform from football to speak out about your struggles with borderline personality disorder (BPD), a disorder that is often taboo. I first learned about your struggles when I was in the hospital, after just recently being diagnosed with BPD.

During that time, I thought my life was over, that I would never get to live a normal life. The next day, my nurse brought a printed news article about you into my room, an article I have to this day. Right then, my outlook shifted. To see that you were able to live a fulfilled life with BPD gave me hope. I no longer was counting the days down in my life. I was counting down the days until I could leave the hospital and start my new life.

A football player is often looked at as invincible, feeling no pain. You were able prove to the world that it is OK to feel pain and it is OK to have a mental illness. Not only have you candidly addressed your diagnosis, but your philanthropy for BPD and ending the stigma is astounding.

You have inspired me to not be afraid of my illness. You have inspired me to not be embarrassed about my illness. Most importantly, you taught me to speak out about my illness in order to break the stigma. Speak out so that someday people will no longer be stigmatized and so someday people won’t be afraid to seek help.

Thank you Brandon Marshall for your humility and continued passion for ending the stigma, not only of BPD but mental illness in general.

We want to hear your story. Become a Mighty contributor here.

Image via Brandon Marshall Facebook page.

Originally published: December 4, 2016
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