I Need Blue

If you’ve wrestled with father wounds, homelessness stigma, invisible illness, or the weight of expectations, this story offers a map and a hand to hold. 

We trace Jordan’s path from constant moves and a distant father to finding a home in faith, leading peers, serving in the Marines, living with an undiagnosed illness, and mentoring students through Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). A story of forgiveness, community, purpose,...

When truth is stolen, healing begins with reclaiming your story—one memory, one voice, one fearless step at a time.

What happens when a child is abducted by a parent and raised in a world of control and religious manipulation? Dawn McCarty’s nightmare began at age four when her mother kidnapped her, erased her identity, and filled her life with fear and lies. Subjected to psychological abuse and weaponized Mormon theology, Dawn was ...

Her daughter’s absence became Barbara’s purpose: to break cycles of alienation, pain, and silence.

Barbara’s life was shaped by not belonging—from family struggles to a marriage broken by parental alienation that turned her daughters against her. The unthinkable struck when her 15-year-old daughter, Erin, took her own life despite Barbara’s pleas for help.

From that tragedy, Barbara found purpose. Now a wellness advocate, speaker, an...

Have a plan before you need it.

The holiday season brings excitement—and dangerous distractions. Between shopping lists, phone notifications, and crowded parking lots, it’s easy to let your guard down. But awareness is your greatest defense. Train yourself to look up, scan your surroundings, notice who’s near your vehicle, and trust your instincts when something feels off. 

Distractions make you vulnerable; habits make you safe. Smal...

"A child doesn’t care how much you know till they know how much you care," ~ Kenya

From a nine-year crack addiction to 28 years of sobriety and service, John’s story shows the power of surrender and redemption. On July 22, 1995, sitting in a jail cell after being arrested for stealing, he prayed: “Lord, if you could just take this desire away… I’ll serve you till I die.” Nearly three decades later, John has kept that promi...

Theresa’s courage proves that even after 17 years of silence, a voice can rise stronger than the violence that tried to silence it.

When Teresa heard glass shatter that March morning in 2007, her life changed forever. She survived a horrific sexual assault in her own home, and though her attacker was never caught, her story is defined by resilience, not violence.

Alert and courageous during the attack, Teresa later reclaimed her life...

One night on a dark New Orleans street, Ashley was held at gunpoint. But instead of panicking, she did something unexpected—she hugged the mugger. That moment of compassion wasn’t random; it was the result of a life shaped by trauma and healing. Ashley had learned that unhealed pain often repeats across generations, and she was determined to break that cycle—for herself and others.

With a Harvard background in data and AI, Ashley co...

Some heroes don't wear capes—they open their garage doors. 

Jason’s bimonthly poker nights have become a sanctuary for military personnel and first responders seeking more than cards: genuine brotherhood.

Haunted by trauma from Coast Guard and Army service, PTSD, and injuries, Jason struggled to ask for help—until a life-saving call to a friend sparked a new mission. Now CEO of Alpha Ready, he builds stigma-free spaces for heali...

AAs a child, Adam dreamed of becoming an “ER car man,” a dream fulfilled through military service and policing—until a call to Walmart on April 8, 2016, changed everything. Confronted by a woman with a hatchet, Adam used deadly force. Though cleared, the incident sparked a silent battle with PTSD.

He shares a raw account of self-destruction—alcohol, casual encounters, and isolation—and the institutional silence that followed. After ...

When tragedy struck Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, Laura—a licensed school psychologist—found herself on the front lines of grief and trauma. But amid the heartbreak, she witnessed something remarkable: therapy dogs offering comfort in ways words couldn't. That experience sparked the creation of Everyday Feathers Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to supporting families facing canine cancer while promoting menta...

When the unthinkable strikes, how do we navigate the darkness of grief? Diane’s life changed forever when her husband, Harry, passed suddenly just days after their final vacation. What began as minor indigestion revealed three severely blocked arteries—something no one expected given his active lifestyle.

In this emotional episode, Diane recounts Harry’s final moments, the hospital rush, and the heartbreak of saying goodbye to their...

From Grief to Action: Honoring Claudia, Preventing Tragedies

When Tim and Melanie lost their 33-year-old daughter, Claudia, to a drunk driver on February 7, 2021, their world was shattered in an instant. Claudia, adopted as a teenager from Guatemala, was a vibrant part of their blended family—full of love, complexity, and growth. In the wake of unimaginable grief, Tim and Melanie chose not to be silent. 

Supported by Mothers Against ...

What happens when you finally name the trauma that’s shaped your life?

Nicole’s powerful story of surviving childhood physical abuse reveals the journey from silence to truth. For 40 years, she carried the weight of her father’s violence—hit at age five, chased in fear, and witnessing her mother being choked—all while believing it was “normal.”

Even 1,100 miles away, a simple phone call from him could trigger panic. Her desperate nee...

From childhood trauma to becoming a fierce protector of young girls, Shala’s journey is a testament to healing and purpose. After losing the grandmother who raised her, she was thrust back into chaos—pregnant at 14, trapped in abuse, and raising two children alone. Yet somehow, she graduated high school on time.

“How did I do it?” she wonders. Her answer: boundaries, self-love, and an unshakable will to break cycles.

Shala founded Tr...

A single ride-along changed Jeff Otis’s life, launching a 26-year law enforcement career marked by trauma, tragedy, and ultimately, healing. Early heartbreak struck when a fellow officer was killed while Jeff was still in training, setting the stage for years of hypervigilance, standoffs, and traumatic crime scenes. Through candid conversation, Jeff reveals the psychological cost of protection and the culture of “suck it up” over h...

When a desperate mother walked into a foster care group home asking for help, the psychologist's response, "until something bad happens, I can't help you," led her to say, "If you don't help me, something bad is going to happen." 

This moment sparked the creation of Safe Families for Children, an organization that now spans over 100 chapters across the U.S. and internationally. Safe Families addres...

Mika’s story is one of trauma, loss, and resilience. Growing up in a humble immigrant household, she was shaped by responsibility and a strong moral compass, but a violent relationship and the tragic loss of her father changed her life forever. Through grief, guilt, and healing, Mika discovered forgiveness and purpose, now guiding her to create a non-profit educating youth on emotional awareness and healthy relationships. Join us f...

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I Need Blue  now has a new home at The Healing in Sharing! Visit thehealinginsharing.com  to explore Round Chair Conversations, all relevant I Need Blue content, and ways to support the mission of sharing stories that inspire hope and resilience.

By sharing the hidden lines of our stories, we remind each other we are not alone — together, we step out of hiding and into healing. 

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What happens when two people with the rare genetic disorder Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) fall in love? Chad and Allison’s story is one of resilience, humor, and unwavering connection. From hospital stays and early challenges to building careers and a life together, their bond proves that true strength comes from courage, faith, and laughter. Chad’s recent retirement and the release of his documentary, 96 Pounds of Dynamite, mark a ...