Meet Miracle Adkins

We were lucky to catch up with Miracle Adkins recently and have shared our conversation below.

Miracle, we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, albeit personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

My name is Miracle Adkins. I am a 35-year-old single mom to a beautiful 4-year-old daughter. I have also been a foster mom since 2018.
I have been suffering mental health issues since I was in Head Start.
Early Life:
I was born to Phillip and Cynthia Adkins in Macon, GA. They got married at a liquor store. My mom was a drug addict, and my dad did drugs and alcohol. Much of my early childhood, my dad was in and out of jail. My mom had different guys coming in and out and at times watching my brother and I while she worked. When I was five years old, I was raped. I was told not to tell anyone, and I didn’t until my mom died a few years later when I was 8 years old. After my mom died, my dad sent me to live with my aunt in Atlanta, GA. A year later my dad died. My brother and I was then sent to live with another aunt and her husband in south GA. It didn’t take but a couple months for my cousin to start sexually abusing me. I told my aunt, but she didn’t believe me. That went on for years. About 4 years went by and he graduated high school and went to the Navy. Not long after that, my aunt’s husband started sexually abusing me. This time, I decided to tell my school counselor. I was then moved back at the age of 16 to Atlanta to stay with my aunt. My brother didn’t want to move so he stayed. After moving I went to two additional high schools. I graduated at 18 from Stephenson High School.
College
After high school, I knew I wanted to go to college, but didn’t have anyone to help me navigate the process. Neither of my parents graduated high school. School was like my safe place. I loved it. I got accepted into Georgia State University and a couple other colleges. I was scared to go to a large university so I chose to go to Piedmont College in North GA.. I intended to go to nursing school, but I could not pass the entrance exam so I end up switching my major to criminal justice. After graduation I interviewed for parole, probation, and Atlanta Police department. I could not pass the physical. I sucked at doing a push up.
After that did not pan out, I continued to go on and get my master’s degree. I then found a job with the state of GA as a Rehabilitation Counselor. I had to take the certification exam at least 3-4 times before I passed to become a Certified Rehab Counselor. About a year later, I completed training to become a vision specialist. After another year, I decided to continue to get my PhD.
Current Life
I am still working on my dissertation. I had to take a 3-year break while going through the Habitat for Humanity Homeownership program. I couldn’t acquire any debt. in April 2023, my home was finally complete, and my daughter and I moved in. I was then able to move forward with working on my dissertation.
Mental Health
I have been diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder, Bipolar Depression, Chronic PTSD, and Major depression. After I had my daughter I went through a dark period. I did not have any type of help. I didn’t know anything about being a mom or anything about how to raise a newborn baby. I had PPD for a long time.
I am currently on 5 psychotropic medications to help me.
Coping
This journey has not been easy and I still find days where I just want to break down.

I am a single mom with no type of support. I have no time for self-care. I have no time just to get a break and have some alone time.
I worry a lot and I’m constantly anxious.
I’ve tried many different meds over the years. I’ve been to counseling numerous times.
I’ve learned to try to take 1 day at a time. I grew up in church. If it was not for my faith in God, I would not be here today. There are many times I just wanted to give up, but a still small voice pushed me to keep going. The last 4 years, I have pushed more than ever. I really have a reason to live. My daughter. Though everyday brings different issues, I continue to fight. I continue to push. I continue to pray. I continue to hope. I refuse to give up despite what I’ve been through. Despite where I come from. Despite my mental illness.
There is a God. I owe it all to him.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I currently oversee a Day Program of adults with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities. I have been working with this population for over 10 years. My current foster son is 15 and has Down’s syndrome and is Autistic.
It takes a special person to work with special needs. It is my passion, and it brings me great joy. I love helping these individuals become independent. Whether it is learning to feed themselves or finding a job that they can do and become contributing members of society.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that impacted my journey are faith, perseverance, and hope. I pray night and day. Despite the many challenges I faced throughout most of my life, I continued to put my trust in God. I believed that things happened for a reason.

There is a God. We may not understand why he is allowing us to go through things when they are happening but we my trust, we must persevere, and continue to hope for a better tomorrow.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

The bible has been the most valuable and most inspirational book in and throughout my life.
I can do all things through christ who strengthens me.
Psalm 23
Judge not that ye be not judge.
Jesus wept