Becky Sherrick Harks: The Mother Who Turned Her Pain Into a Lifeline for Thousand

Heroes of the Phoenix Rising by Vision One World

“It was the month of January. 2009. I was getting a sinking feeling, call it a mother’s instinct or whatever, but I knew something was not right.”

Becky Sherrick Harks, a nurse and expectant mother, was admitted to the hospital to deliver her baby. But instead of joy, the delivery room quickly became a space of confusion and fear. As soon as her daughter was born, she was rushed to the ICU.

“I didn’t know what was going on. Nobody was telling me anything.”

Perhaps this was the very feeling that had been weighing on Becky’s heart in the days leading up to the birth.

A Mother’s Nightmare Unfolds

“I was up all night,” Becky recalls. “I was nursing her. Suddenly, the nurses and doctors came running into my room and took my baby away for a CT scan. My baby kept screaming for me. Never have I felt more terrified, more helpless.”

The scan revealed a rare and terrifying condition—Becky’s newborn’s brain had grown outside her skull.

“She was so tiny. She had such little hands and feet…”

Just three weeks old, baby Amelia Grace was taken into the operating room for a 10-hour surgery to have her skull implanted.

“I kept waiting outside the OT. Nobody was telling me anything. I was devastated, alone, desolate.”

Holding on to Hope

As a nurse, Becky understood the gravity of the situation. “I had seen two other similar cases in my profession, and both the babies had died.” Still, the mother in her clung to hope—hope that overshadowed the grim knowledge of her profession.

Amelia survived the surgery.

“She had a huge scar all the way around her head, and the sight of that on her little head scared and shattered me.” But there was one thing Becky could finally do again—hold her daughter close.

Carrying Her Own Scars

Becky’s own childhood had been fraught with trauma. “My mother has bipolar disorder. Suicide attempts, blood checks, feeling alone throughout my childhood were just some of the things that I grew up with.”

As her daughter lay recovering, Becky began to unravel. The trauma, anxiety, and isolation overwhelmed her. She buckled under the weight of post-traumatic stress disorder.

But then came the miracle: “She recovered!! My baby came out of it all!!”

From Trauma to Purpose

Six years later, Becky’s voice still brims with joy. “I got her back in my arms again! I would never ever lose her!”

Yet, the loneliness she felt during those terrifying moments never left her. She knew no one should ever feel that alone.

That’s when Becky founded Band Back Together—an online platform where people facing emotional trauma could find support, solidarity, and healing.

Creating a Safe Space for Survivors

Band Back Together launched in 2010 as a group weblog and support forum where people could share their stories of survival—anonymously if they preferred—and connect with others facing similar struggles.

“It is a group weblog providing educational resources as well as a safe, moderated, supportive environment to share stories of survival,” Becky explains.

From survivors of abuse and rape to individuals dealing with mental illness, baby loss, or suicidal thoughts, Band Back Together became a virtual sanctuary.

“It’s something I wish I had growing up. It’s something I wish I had while watching my baby suffer,” Becky says.

United in Healing

People from across the globe began finding comfort and power in sharing their stories. Survivors found each other. Healing became communal.

“The Band was a part of my family when I got divorced. I also have a special needs child… Finding a tribe of other people who deal with the same issues really helped me through some dark days.” – Amy S.

Becky’s small initiative had become a lifeline.

“I'm sure this site saves at least one person every single day.” – Ericka R.

A Home for Stories That Matter

With over 600 resource pages, Band Back Together groups stories by category—abuse, grief, mental illness, baby loss, and more—making it easy to find a story that resonates.

“These are your words, your problems, and they matter to a lot of people.” – Becky

“Reading others’ stories made me feel less alone. Abuse is isolating… but The Band helped me take back my power.” – Anonymous Survivor

A Lifeline That Changed Lives

Becky’s vision came full circle when she received a heartfelt message from Nikki, a mother in New York:

“I had a hard time finding people online who had been through a similar diagnosis… Then I found Becky. She saved my sanity.”

Inspired by Becky’s courage, Nikki wrote her own story on the platform, offering others the same hope she once desperately needed.

The Face of Strength

“We are the face of depression. We are the face of baby loss. We are the face of abuse. We are the face of rape. We are the face of fighters.” Becky says. “We wear our scars proudly—like battle wounds.”

Today, Band Back Together is a powerful reminder: you are never truly alone.

“No matter what, I know my story is safe with them. If I am lost, they will help me find my way.” – Survivor

Thank You, Becky

In a world where social media often isolates, Becky used it to unite, uplift, and heal. Her pain birthed a platform that now serves as a home for thousands.

Becky Sherrick Harks, you are the hope that connects hundreds of thousands of silent victims across the world.

HPR Hero: EMILY, CANADA

“I Ingested All the Sleeping Pills” — Emily’s Story Begins at 12

Trying her first attempt at suicide when she was just 12 years old, Emily was diagnosed with severe depression since being rushed to the hospital that fateful night 15 years ago. Frantic parents, uncertain doctors and a world that had no meaning surrounded a girl who had earlier been detected with stage 3 Anxiety at only 9 years of age. A condition Emily is “not really sure what caused it”.

Being bullied at school may have been an answer.“Or maybe I was just born with it, I don’t really know. But I did stop going to school when I was just in Grade 2,” she says.

The Side Effects, the Bullying, the Isolation

Emily has been on medication for anxiety for as long as she can remember.“The side effects were crazy....There was a time when I put on 60 pounds in just two months!” she laughs about it today. But back then, that very situation made the kids bully Emily even more, making her even clingier with her parents.“I could not move an inch away from them.”

Rounds of psychiatrist sessions began as heavy doses of medication kept her home. Emily recoiled and pulled herself further and further away from living a normal childhood.“And then one day, just like that, I ingested all the sleeping pills hoping to kill myself.”

A Painful Separation — And a Turning Point

Weeks of after-care and months of being kept under suicide watch, Emily’s psychiatrist advised her parents to send her away from her home.“It would be safer for me, they thought,” says Emily.

Four years of her adolescent life, Emily conceded to living away from her parents, away from her own home in an institution meant to house people with a troubled past.

“My parents wanted the best for me. They did not know how to deal with me or my issues anymore. Sending me away to the group home on the recommendation of my doctor seemed like the best answer for me at the time,” says Emily.

Learning to Be Alone — and Standing Up

“I did learn a lot though. I toughened up. I used to have severe separation anxiety, resulting in panic attacks. Having to live away from my home and my parents, I was forced to get over my fear of separation. It helped me to become independent and overcome my fear of being left alone.”

After living in the group home for 4 years, Emily moved out with some friends she had made at the home. But they were “bad company,” says Emily.“I was unsafe, they were into drugs, and life was again taking me back to where I had started. But it was time to stop being insecure. It was time to make my own choices. The choice to come out of it all.”

The one thing that Emily learnt in her four years away from her comfort zone was this:“Life always gives you choices. What you choose it up to you.”

The Arrival of Koby — Her Black Rescue Dog and Lifeline

Emily finally took up a place of her own and started life all over again with the help of Koby, her black rescue dog — now her trained service dog. Koby and Emily became the best of friends, and in some ways probably took over the role of her parent.“Wherever I go, Koby goes, and wherever Koby goes, I go.”

Emily finally found a family in Koby, and she could take on the world as long as Koby was by her side. He became her best friend, her self-confidence and her love.

Fibromyalgia, Anxiety — And a New Hope

After years of not being able to look after her own health, Emily landed up with excruciating pain from fibromyalgia. Health had suffered for years, and since she couldn’t get herself to even go out for a walk due to anxiety, her condition deteriorated with every passing year.“There were days when I would wake up and I couldn't even sit up.”

But all of that started to change with Koby entering her life. Emily found in herself the courage to do something normally one takes for granted. She started to go out for walks. She went out to get her own mail. She would buy her own food. She could now go to the gym.

Emily started to work out religiously at a local gym and lost all of her excess weight she had lived with all her life. Life started to look more hopeful. She was happy. And confident.

Fighting for Education — And Koby’s Right to Be There

With newfound freedom, Emily knew there was one more thing left to do.“It was time for me to complete my education,” says Emily, who had studied only up to Grade 10 so far.“But I was refused admission into the school if Koby was going to be with me.”

A huge setback on a girl who had only recently found her independence back with Koby, Emily was sure nothing was going to keep her away from him.“Koby was my only hope. And I really wanted to go back to school to complete my education.”

So started weeks and months of reading and familiarising herself with the laws of the land and rules of the school board.

“I learnt that the law does not state it illegal to bring in service dogs into the school premises. It is the decision of individual schools whether or not to permit dogs and service dogs within the school.” During the time, Emily also learnt that it is not illegal to bring dogs into restaurants, she says with a laugh.“Individual restaurant owners decide that, but it is not illegal!”

The Legal Battle for Access — And the Win

What followed was a fight for admission into the school along with Koby. From arranging for doctor’s notes to prove her physical and emotional incapacity to synchronizing the school board’s rules along with the laws of the province with the human rights tribunal, Emily’s fight was a long drawn one.

“The school did not think I was going to go through all of that. They just want things easy for themselves. But I had to fight, and the law was on my side,” says Emily, who had to study and quote legal cases to strengthen her case.

A 12-page report on Koby — who had to be passed as a service dog all over again by the school authorities — was the winning lead for Emily, who finally won her right to admission into the school and finish her high school education.

“Two years later I graduated with a 100% attendance and got scholarship to continue to college,” a joyous, proud and confident Emily proclaims.

A Voice for Many — And a Catalyst for Change

Emily’s fight was not a fight for just her own self. It was a fight for all those in her position, suffering from anxiety but are looking for something to help support them to go on with their lives nonetheless.“I know what it feels like to live with anxiety and with physical and mental pain. But life must go on,” she says.

Emily’s efforts to “go on” have pushed her school board to rewrite school policies to accommodate service dogs. She now serves as part of the same board’s focus group to raise awareness about mental awareness, implementing ideas to make the school a happier and safer place for children.

She is also instrumental in getting kids to start talking about their illnesses to reduce the stigma around mental health. Her talks across various boards, shows and magazines to represent the bullied, the mentally and emotionally disabled children and youth has brought about a concentrated exposure to the problems faced by them.

“Even now school boards across the province and the country do not allow service dogs within their premises, so my fight continues,” says a determined Emily.

A New Mission: Making Service Dogs Affordable

While she has won her fight that she had initially started out with, Emily doesn’t stop her efforts to get the support other children face in schools. A service dog typically costs $10,000–15,000 CDN.“An average family does not know how to set aside so much money for one,” she says.

So Emily is now working on a new mission, advocating self-trained dogs to become service dogs — becoming the first in all of Canada to have fought and won the case of bringing in her own self-trained service dog into the school.

“To be termed a service dog, they have to go through extremely strict tests,” something Emily believes strongly that can be done at home.“But it can be done, and then families in need of a service dog do not need to spend money that they can’t afford.”

Still Relying on Koby — But No Longer Helpless

Not fully cured of her anxiety till date, Emily still depends on Koby to step out of the house.“He relies on me to take him out on walks. So if it’s not for me, then at least for him I have to leave the house to take him out for walks,” she says.

Emily, you may rely on Koby to take you out of your house, but you have started something that hundreds of children suffering from anxiety rely on you to start their lives again. You have made space for a man’s best friend to be a part of his life when he needs him the most.

Vision One World is dedicated to amplifying real heroes and building stronger communities through impactful storytelling and social initiatives. Learn more about our mission and ongoing projects.

From Prison Bars to Messages of Hope

Heroes of the Phoenix Rising by Vision One World

A Daughter’s First Heartbreak

“I was only in my thirties. Being the oldest in my family, I had to be the one to tell the doctors to take my mother off life support.”

That moment was Carolyn LeCroy’s first life-altering decision. A stable career in Norfolk media and a happy home with her husband George and two sons made life feel secure—until everything changed.

When Life Unravels

George lost his job. Financial and emotional strain fractured their marriage. Carolyn left her media job for better pay managing a restaurant. Slowly, life began to look up.

The Charm That Turned Into Chains

A charming restaurant customer—we’ll call him Steve—entered her life. He showered attention on her and her sons, spoiling them with gifts and outings. It felt like a second chance at love. But behind the charm was control.

Steve subtly urged her to quit work, deposited money into her account, and created emotional dependency. She didn’t realize it was abuse—because it wasn’t physical.

A Truth Revealed in Mexico

Carolyn believed Steve’s wealth came from business—until a trip to Mexico exposed the truth: Steve was a drug dealer. She ended the relationship immediately.

The Illusion of Closure

A year later, Steve called. Carolyn agreed to meet him for closure. They parted peacefully. He asked to store luggage in her storage unit before leaving town. She agreed.

The Arrest That Changed Everything

Shortly after, Carolyn was arrested. Drugs were found in the storage unit. Steve had framed her.Charged with possession and conspiracy, she faced a $250,000 bond and a life sentence.“I was numb… like I was having an outer body experience.”

From Mother to Inmate

With no prior criminal record—not even a parking ticket—Carolyn entered a world she never imagined: prison.

Her ex-husband George reappeared, selling their condo to post her bond. But Carolyn was transferred without notice, cut off from her family. Her only thoughts were of her sons.

The Pain of Motherhood Behind Bars

Visitation was a painful joy. Humiliating strip searches were the price she paid to see her children. “Anything was worth being with my boys.” Her older son was angry, the younger one, more forgiving. But both still said they loved her.

Letting Go Again

She later asked her sons to visit less often. “They were young boys now and had their own lives.”She missed graduations. Birthdays. Christmases. And all she wanted was to tell them she loved them.

A Second Miracle

Then came the impossible: “Carolyn, you’ve made it. You can go back home.”After just 14 months, she was paroled.“I didn’t think I’d ever hear those words.”

Finding Purpose in the Pain

Freedom came with purpose. She had seen too many mothers never speak to or see their children. Many families were broken not by guilt, but by circumstance.

So Carolyn founded The Messages Project in 1999—to give incarcerated parents a way to reach their children through recorded videos.

A Mission Begins

Starting with 60 mothers in one prison, the program expanded to 14 facilities—and then to fathers. Despite resistance, Carolyn pushed through.“I put in my own money. I did whatever was required.”Eventually, even the most reluctant officials gave their support.

Over 10,000 Messages of Hope

To date, Carolyn and her team have recorded over 10,000 videos.Mothers and fathers read books, sing songs, write poems, and send love to their children. Interpreters help for the hearing impaired. Some parents—such as those with court restrictions—are excluded, but most finally have a voice.

Letters of Gratitude, One by One

Carolyn has received over 1,200 emails thanking her—and she replies to every single one.“If someone takes the time to say thank you to me, then I take the time to thank them back.”