Name
Britney Brown

Age
30

How long have you lived in Baytown?
Eight months

Most interesting fact about you
I can remix any song on the spot.

Background
I was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, but raised in so many different places. I used my history of moving from city to city and state to state to build relationships. My motto was if I only have a short time with these people, might as well make my connection now. I have used that to help me in many areas of my life, including getting my degree in social work at Prairie View A&M University.

Goals
My goal is to provide a life for my family. I want to live life and have it abundantly. I want to be surrounded by people who love me and my family. I want to have the hope that we can do all things and to inspire people in our lives to be better. I have written my first book, “My Friend Icky,” for my daughter to have a book where she sees herself. I hope that it creates financial stability for my family and encouragement for others to also step out and do things that haven’t been done in their lives.

Challenges
My biggest challenge to this day has been losing my mother while in my last semester of college. Since I was a little girl, it had always been me and my mom. When she died, a part of me died with her. I almost didn’t graduate due to the debilitating heartbreak of her loss. But I did it to make her proud. Since her passing, I have struggled with depression and feelings of loneliness. I have also learned that because of her passing, I have become a stronger person. I have surrounded myself with love, and I have been supported. Losing her broke my heart, and I still miss her. But I know that it was all a part of God’s plan.

Happiest or saddest moment
My happiest moment would have to be the day I met my daughter. Seeing her, I knew I was deserving of love again. I didn’t believe that she would really come into the world because I was so jaded by the loss of my mom. I didn’t know if I could love another person as fully as I loved my mom. But when I saw Zoe, I saw my future in her eyes, and it brought me happiness.

Advice
Even when you think you can’t do it, try anyway. Wouldn’t you like to be wrong if it will benefit you?

Currently reading or watching
I have no time for watching TV. I am preparing for my teacher certification exam. I want to begin a new chapter.

Favorite thing to do in Baytown
I love Bayou City Wings. I go there often. And I love going down Garth Road, and just shopping at all my favorite stores.

Follow Britney on Instagram @britallover.

This profile was received through the Submit Your Story page.

The post Britney Brown: first-time author hopes to inspire others appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“It’s been 16 months since I was diagnosed with GBS (Guillain-Barré syndrome). Little by little, I’m regaining everything. I still have nerve pain in my neck, my face and legs. They told me that I will probably always have some nerve pain, even when I’m completely recovered. I don’t have a lot of strength right now. I can’t open a bottle of water with my hands, so I use my mouth. My legs are coming back, but they’re not as strong as they once were.

“When I regain full strength, I’ll be able to get up from this wheelchair on my own. Right now, I need Mom’s support. She helps me out with so many things, from getting dressed to taking a shower. I see progress. Like once a week, as I do therapy here in the apartment, I can tell that something is coming back and I’m getting stronger. I’m just going to keep on working hard because I don’t want to be sitting in this wheelchair another year. I don’t want to have to depend on anyone else. I have never been like that. I’ve worked ever since I was young, and paid my own way. So I’m hoping in six months that I’m back to normal. I just have to keep pushing.

“While my situation has been very hard on me and my family, during this process I’ve seen people who have it much worse. I met a guy in the hospital with no legs and no arms. But he was still there, not giving up. When you see somebody like that, it’s very inspiring. I’m like, if he’s not giving up, why should I?”

— Jaime Aceves

Related:

• ‘I knew something was seriously wrong’

• ‘I felt like I was having to say goodbye’

• Dad overcomes to dance with his girls

The post He’s working hard to leave that wheelchair appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“I want to be a high school track coach. I’m really inspired by my high school coach. I had her four years, since I was a freshman.

“She was great. She was like a mom to all of us. She would say we were her girls, and she was like our best friend. Even to this day, we still talk to her.

“She helped make sure we didn’t get in trouble. We knew that if we did, they were going to call her. And that was worse than calling our parents.

“I want to be like her. I’d like to have girls look up to me, who want to be in my office, who want to run track, who want to do something instead of just not doing anything.”

— Shanysa Gobert, 21

The post Role model track coach inspires student appeared first on The Baytown Project.

“Kids are very smart and imaginative. The world hasn’t sucked it out of them yet. If they have an idea or concept, I’ll make a logo or graphic for them. I usually do the first one free.

“Some people might need a logo to help believe in themselves, to have a visual aid that inspires them to follow through with something. If I’m the one who can provide that, it’s a pretty cool feeling.

“Honestly, I think it just takes one person. One person to step into someone’s life and be encouraging, be inspiring, be motivating, be determined, and not because that person wants money in his pocket. That’s what I’m trying to do. I believe that if each person would inspire and help one other person in this world, it would be amazing here. We’d have one hell of an Earth.”

Related:

• Artist continues work, even while homeless
• He’s no fan of the business side of art

The post Inspiring others could lead to ‘one hell of an Earth’ appeared first on The Baytown Project.