I’m 28.  I celebrated my 10 years high school reunion this past summer.  I’ve been out of college for 7 years now.  Time moves by fast, too fast at times.  I remember being in your shoes: wondering if high school would ever end, wishing I wasn’t different, and hating the stares.  I remember having the same questions: would I ever find someone who will love me as I am, would I be able to live life without my parents at my side, would my roommate be ok with my disorder, will I be able to make friends outside of my hometown, and would I be able to truly succeed at whatever I put my mind to?  Well, I am here to tell you that there is life after high school!  I went to Eastern University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, specifically in piano.  My roommate in my freshman year became my absolute best friend.  We lived together all four years, I was the maid of honor in her wedding, and we tell each other everything. My closest friends came out of my time in college.  I traveled to two different countries on mission trips.  I’ve taken solo vacations to Niagara Falls and Tennessee.  I’ve auditioned for a theatre company.  I have a full time job as a shift supervisor with CVS and even won a Paragon Award for being the best employee in my district!  I take dance classes for fun and teach two classes at a local dance studio.  I had an incredibly loving boyfriend who thought I was beautiful and showed me that I could be loved even in my skin disorder.  I’ve modeled for local photographers and competed in a national pageant.  The sky’s the limit!  I’ve learned early on in my life that my skin disorder DOES NOT define me!  It has most definitely helped shape who I am, but it is not all there is to me.  So, believe that there is life after high school.  It will get easier as you better understand who you are and become free to be yourself.