I am a woman. I am the daughter of a Navy veteran. I am the sister of someone on the Autism spectrum. I am white. I am living with chronic physical illness. I am living with chronic mental illness. I am a two time survivor of sexual assault.

If someone were to ask me to describe myself in words, I'm sure some of these would make the list. Some of these are words that I love having attached to me; others, not so much. Regardless of my feelings for these titles, I still have to live with them. I don't get to choose them (for the most part at least).

Here's the kicker: you don't get to choose them either.

You know not of what I'm worth. You know not of what I'm capable. Did you notice that the word victim isn't on that list? That's because victim is a four letter word to me. The definition of victim is someone who is tricked or duped; no part of who I am is because someone tricked me. I wasn't tricked into being raped and I wasn't tricked into being chronically ill. While I am not exactly proud of some of these things, I am proud of what I have made of myself from them.

I do what I do becuase I'm taking my circumstance and using it to help those who could very well be in my position. I didn't choose where I am in certain facets of my life, but I can choose how I use those to give myself other labels. I've worked hard to get where I am in my life and I did that despite the negative things and becuase of the positive things. No one is responsible for what I've done, except me. I am the only one who gets to decide what I am called.

I am an intelligent college student. I study hard. I volunteer my time working with under privileged kids. I donate my time and resources working with my church to provide meals to those who don't know from where their next one is coming. I am a writer that wants to share her experiences. I work to spread awareness and prevention strategies for sexual assault and domestic abuse. I am getting a degree in social work. I am a role model. I am a friend. I am me. I am strong.

The next time you want to label someone a victim: think about the title you're giving them without knowing their place in this world. So don't call me a victim, becuase that's not me.

I want to work with veterans that suffer from mental illness. I want to be a mom. I want to be a wife. I want to teach. I want to learn. I want to make a difference in this world. I will do all that becuase of who I choose to be, not becuase of what you choose to label me.

If you're going to label me anything: label me strong.