Helen Galsworthy had every plan to take her own life at the age of 18. It was a bright and sunny June day in 2007, and for the first time in a long time, Helen felt at peace. She says it’s because she knew she was going to die.
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That afternoon, she headed to the railroad tracks in her town, laid down in front of them and attempted to commit suicide.
Then she woke up.
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Helen became a double-amputee at the age of 18.
When she woke up in the hospital next to her mom, Helen knew immediately that she had lost her legs. She was devastated.
“I felt stupid,” she says. “I felt like, I mess up everything in my life, and I even messed up my own suicide attempt.”
She was alive, but just hours before, she hadn’t wanted to be. And adjusting to life without both legs presented her with a whole new set of obstacles to overcome—both physically and mentally.
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Helen had a lot of healing to do—but God gave her an unexpected gift to help her out.
Five years after her accident, Helen became a mom. Her entire perspective changed, and healing came in the form of a tiny human named Thomas.
Her son made her realize that it wasn’t about Helen anymore. He gave her a sense of purpose through her pain.
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Today, Helen is working to help others who have struggled with mental health problems, and she’s starting a charity to help other moms who are battling post-natal mental illnesses.
Though she dreads the day she’ll have to explain to Thomas what happened to mommy’s legs, Helen says it’s part of her story—and his. It’s something that her son will need to know when he becomes old enough.
Until then, Helen just takes every day as a blessing—one that may not have been hers to enjoy, had her suicide attempt been successful. She says she believes she’s here for a reason, and it’s not a mistake that she survived.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a mental illness, please know you are not alone. Suicide is completely preventable. PLEASE reach out if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, or fear that someone you love might be.
If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or text “START” to 741-741.
