A Delaware County mom has written a book she hopes will inspire as it shares real life stories from people in the Philadelphia region who turned heartbreak and hardship into hope, reports Stephanie Stahl for CBS Philly 3.

The book, “The People You Meet in Real Life,” is about how people have overcome what seems impossible.

Author Melissa Ann Hopely was a standout athlete, but consumed with “feelings of worthlessness.”

“I started sharing my story and it was like a magnet. ‘I go through this too.’ ‘Oh my gosh, I want to share my story.’ Then literally all of a sudden I had 30 people that wanted to be a part of this,” Hopely said.

Denis Asselin’s son, Nathaniel, suffered from body dysmorphic disorder and died by suicide at 24.

Denis Asselin started walking and talking to people to bring issues about mental health into the open.  He created Walking With Nathaniel.

Jordan Burnham wasn’t coping with his depression in a healthy way. He survived a suicide attempt at 18 with devastating injuries. He has since become a motivational speaker.

They are learning to live again, and reaching out to others.

Read more about this new inspirational book here.

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