Ashley PerkinsI chose to write 'I Matter Too' because I had seen how much sharing my struggling with mental health issues had impacted by patients or students when …moreI chose to write 'I Matter Too' because I had seen how much sharing my struggling with mental health issues had impacted by patients or students when I had shared small bits here and there. So, it got me thinking, if those small stories have helped people realize they too can overcome and navigate life with mental health issues or any type of nerurotype, then maybe sharing everything I've gotten through in my life could help many more. After dealing with discrimination, I was mad because they tried to silence me. I sat down and started writing. The more I wrote, the more I realized I had to say. This book is the product of being angry but it turned into me wanting to make sure people were able to see through my stories and life, mental health issues can be navigated. Stigma and stereotypes are not true, learning about them first hand by reading my book is just one way this can be shown.(less)