Survive Then Live (Paperback)

Lesson #11: All pain has a purpose.

The pain you went through is not in vain,
The hail, the sleet, the snow, the rain,
Different types of storms have clouded your days,
You Cried, You fought, You Lost, You Prayed

No answer seemed to come your way,
You gave up, You fell, You turned away,
Too many demons to battle, to conquer, to slay
Too tired, too wounded, too hurt to say

The horrible things that haunt you inside,
Despite those things you continue to RISE
You don't just SURVIVE,
You LIVE, You WIN, You SOAR,
Like a lion in the jungle,
You EAT, You ROAR.

Patience Carter is an American Author, Creative Activist, and Outreach Director for the Gun Violence Survivors Foundation. She is also a survivor of the Pulse Nightclub shooting that took place in Orlando, Florida, on June 12th, the deadliest terrorist attack in U.S. History since 9/11. Along with the pleasure of meeting former President Barack Obama, Patience has sat down with a countless number of U.S. officials to speak about gun control, terrorism, and mental health issues in America. In recognition of her determined efforts to raise awareness and make changes, she was selected by the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs to be the Victim Representative for a hearing in 2016. Mayor Joseph P. Ganim awarded Patience with the Key to the City of Bridgeport, Connecticut. She also received a special recognition certificate from Connecticut's Senator, Richard Blumenthal, for her extraordinary dedication and exemplary efforts to reduce violence. The Teen Choice Awards presented Patience with their Courage Award in 2016. And last but not least, Congressman Charles B. Rangel of New York has recognized July 31, 2016 as "Patience Carter Day." Patience continues to speak out about her experience, and hopes to do her part to make our shared world a better place.