Growing up, I didn't have any role models that were sick that were doing anything with their life, ever.

I've struggled more with guys, depression drugs, family and career than I ever have with my illness. I'm not an innocent and I'm not a child.

When I was younger and obsessed with becoming an artist, the hospital was my New York loft apartment. I would move the furniture around to create space on the floor, throw down some sheets and indulge in any form of art that I could get my hands on.

I love the idea of college, but I first need to figure out how to transition to being an adult because we honestly never thought I would make it to this point.

Ask any woman and she'll tell you: health care for women is more expensive than it is for men. In fact, during their reproductive years, women spend 68% more on health care than men do.

Before pregnancy, I would box, do SoulCycle, and do some pretty intense circuit training in the gym. When I got pregnant, I realized I'd need to tone some of that stuff down and remove some altogether, but was determined to maintain the mental and physical health benefits of exercise.

I'd love for mental illness to be seen in the way that other horrible illnesses are. When people get cancer, very few parents will say, 'Oh I feel so bad for giving you so much unhealthy food over the years.'

We are the millions and millions of Americans who take responsibility for our own safety and protection of our children as a God-given right. We are proud to exercise that right, are not ashamed of it and deserve nothing less than absolute respect and admiration as lawful gun owners.