Telling your story doesn't always mean you're dwelling in the past. All it means that you have moved on and gained the strength to speak about your past without caring about the judgments of others. At the age of 46, I, Maria Ward, am doing just that. I am telling my story in order to help others.There was a time in my life when I was afraid to tell my story. I was afraid of what others might say or think. But one thing about God, He can move mountains. He replaced my fear with courage! The courage to tell my story without hate in my heart. The courage to tell my story with tears running down my face because my pain is no more. The courage to not be ashamed of what I've been through or who I was. The courage to be proud of the woman that I am today. The courage to be unapologetically me, MARIA WARD.