"I am thankful for all of those who said NO to me. It's because of them I’m doing it myself" - Albert Einstein

Although it is not Thanksgiving, I am feeling especially thankful as of late. In the span of just a few months I have overcome some very difficult circumstances and prevailed with my license to practice law and a new business. There were many obstacles in my path to be called to the Newfoundland & Labrador Bar, some of which I will not mention as I will not stoop to the level of calling out my tormentors by name. I never had much money growing up. I had to work for every penny I had and I have only become stronger for it. I have disabilities. None that you can see but they are there all the same. For one, I live with chronic pain from a spinal condition that makes typical daily tasks challenging for me at times. However, I have come to terms with its permanence and pushed through to the other side where it is manageable and I am stronger now. I have dealt with the loss of loved ones in recent years. My grandmother, whom I was very close to, passed away after an eight year battle with dementia just before my first exam in my first year of law school. But still, I kept going and I know she would be incredibly proud of me today as I go out on my own to pave a new path for myself. I have suffered at the hands of those who were meant to guide and help me. I dealt with harassment, bullying, discrimination and targeted attacks on my character and career in the past twelve months. It has been the most difficult twelve months of my life but I am still here. I am still standing. I am writing this as more of a catharsis than anything else. I just want anyone who reads this to know that you can overcome and you can prevail. I want all of the women out there, be they young or old, to know that if the path you are on is too rough, pave your own. Thank you for reading this and I hope you walk a smoother path than mine has been so far. But it does not even matter if anyone does read this post, what matters is that I wrote it, that I faced my demons and came out in one piece. I am thankful for all of the “No’s” so that I could triumph when I said yes. And to my tormentor I would like to say my biggest thank you, it is because you said no that I am doing this myself.

My wallet said no.

My body said no.

My tormentors said no.

But I said yes.

—Melanie