Results: Making Lemonade Out Of Lemons That Life Gave You

Manitoba musician Rob Nash was only 17 when his skull was shattered in a car accident, leaving him with injuries so severe, he was almost pronounced dead at the scene. He did recover, but the accident left him with scars so deep inside that he has had suicidal thoughts, and hears voices that do not exist. His struggles with mental illness have only been the driving force for him to reach out and help others coping with their own illnesses. He formed a band, with other musicians recovering from addiction, mental illness and depression, called The Rob Nash Project, and they share their stories and music with other young people also struggling with these issues. In eight years, the bandmates have shared their stories to more than a million young people across Canada through their music. At every show, Nash invites youth who have struggled with suicidal thoughts to hand him their past suicide notes as a gesture of strength. He decided to tattoo more than 100 of those names on his arms, as a tribute to these brave young people. Fans say that the powerful shows have made an impact in their lives. He feels we all have issues, but it's talking about them, and sharing them with others that can help you deal with them. Do you think this young man and his band are providing a valuable outlet for countless others going through mental illness struggles?

When former Toronto lawyer Catherine Lawrence was diagnosed with a rare lung disease, Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, also known as LAM, a rare multi-organ disease that affects only women, in 2006, she was handed a five to ten year life expectancy. Over ten years later, she has not only lived longer than doctors had thought, she now spearheads an foundation called Green Eggs and LAM, dedicated to finding a cure for this rare, but terminal disease. And she even quit her job as a lawyer to pursue her dream of being a stand-up comedian. She has launched a business called Survival of the Funniest, in conjunction with Green Eggs and LAM, dedicated to bringing some laughter and joy into the lives of many people suffering with debilitating illnesses, with the organization of "laughter clubs". She is a firm believer in "laughter being the best medicine". Do you agree with her?

Halifax native Craig MacDonald, 38, has been living with a neuromuscular condition that causes him to end up in the hospital for up to two months at a time, every year or so. His long stays at the hospital have only made him more conscious of the need to give back, and for the past ten years, he has helped organize New Year's Eve parties in support of the Children's Wish Foundation, and now he has started the Craig Mac Comfort Initiative, formed to support neuromuscular patients and their families at the QEII Health Sciences Centre – the same hospital that has cared for him for 20 years. He felt that he was still alive for a reason, and that reason was to give back in some way. On January 19, he was given the Unsung Hero Award at the Family SOS Courage to Give Back Awards. Do you feel he deserves this recognition for his work?

I know I may get on my soapbox about this all the time, but everyone is capable of doing something to help others, whether it be these amazing stories or just buying someone a cup of coffee or taking the time to hold a door open for someone. I am a firm believer in walking the walk, not just talking the talk. You can never be that busy, that financially strapped, that tired, or that in need of help yourself that you cannot take the time to do something to brighten someone else's day just a bit. Do you agree?

Have you done something that made you feel as if you just may have made a difference in their life?