STOUGHTON - In life, you may be dealt with situations that are not easy to manage.
Most times, a solution is found, and the problem is solved. What if your brain struggles to figure this out or how to solve the problem? What if you are born with a mental disability which causes you issues to solve that problem and now makes you depressed?
Krystle Zoer is a 39-year-old woman who was born with a mental disability and also struggles with depression. She has done so for a large part of her life.
As a child, Zoer said she was in and out of hospitals, often for failure to thrive. She had a list of specialists trying to figure out what was wrong with her. They travelled all over southern Ontario to meet with doctors but in the end, they labelled her with global developmentally delayed.
As Zoer grew older and during her school years, she said she was often bullied and teased for the way she looked and the way she behaved, and did not have any friends. She struggled with learning in school, but also had a hearing loss to deal with.
She admits she has a tough time communicating with people. The older she became, the more depressed she got, she said.
“My mom is my best friend, but I did not tell her everything, and I did not tell her what I was thinking all the time,” she said with a smile.
At that point in her life, she thought about suicide.
She said, “I’m different, I look different, I act different, and I just wanted to die.”
She ended up in the hospital after an attempt. She said she felt really bad as it hurt her parents and they are really good to her, but she just wanted a good friend to hang out with.
It was then she began to take medication and started counselling. They both helped her a great deal, she said, although now she is still on medication.
Zoer admits she still struggles in making friends and she loves being around people.
“My parents always include me when they go away, although I can be hard on them, but they are always there for me. My mom is actually a clown and always tries to make us laugh,” Zoer said.
She went on to say she loves her animals, and they help her through challenging times.
“They are never mad at me and love me, for me,” said Zoer.
She has a little dog Chester, a mini pony Tango and also two cats, Dazy and Minnie.
Although she has had several jobs and knows how to do a cashier job, she feels it is difficult when three or four people tell her what to do. She said she cannot get her mind to tell her which one to do first and then becomes very frustrated.
“Having my mom to talk to really helps,” she said. “She is always asking me, what I am thinking, so she can help me if I struggle. My mom will also explain to me things I do not understand.”
She went on to say she will always be on medication for her depression, but that is OK.
“It helps my brain not to think terrible things,” she said.
Zoer is involved now with the Stoughton Guiding Unit as a volunteer and also a member of the New Hope Horse Club in Stoughton with her pony.
“I just want people to be kind to everyone because it makes people feel good on the inside,” she said.
