Franki from New York wrote: “My Jewish name is Zipporah, which means little bird. I've always been spiritual throughout my life and this Hebrew name meaning has always played a role within many events that I lived through. When I think about this name it reminds me of sparrows, who are gentle, kind creatures that may look small and fragile, but know how to build themselves up when life knocks them down. This has been the theme in my life especially when I was a child as I had medical problems, was bullied, outcasted, and at one point tried to end my life. But at my rock bottom I picked myself up and continued to move forward and persevered.”⁠
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David asked: “How did you build yourself up from these struggles? What were your sources of strength then? And what are your sources of strength now?”⁠
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Franki replied: “When I was born I suffered from many ear infections and became deaf. I could not hear until I was four years old. I started my life at a disadvantage and had to physically work, train, and practice to speak and get up to where I was supposed to be at my age. My main strength during childhood was my family.⁠
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“Later on in life I attempted suicide and failed. I shut down, meaning I lost the ability to speak up for myself, my passion for life. I told myself everyday just one step at a time. My strength in this situation derived from a family member. They saved my life unintentionally because they were also sick at the time and I knew if I killed myself, I would be taking them down with me as they would not be able to handle it if something happened to me. I got through this point in my life because I had to step up and take care of them. My strength now is that looking back I got through this rock bottom moment in my life on my own.”⁠