Our Collective Stories

“When I first heard about the Starting Line Scholarship, I was in a dark place. My anxiety and depression felt overwhelming, and I was searching for something—anything—that might help me move forward. One day, I saw a segment about the program on the local news. It sparked my curiosity, and a small voice in my head whispered, Why not give it a try? “

Todd Arkyn Crush was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 25 years old, but his battle with mental health has been going on for much longer than that.

Merry Wilbert is the type of person who thrives when she’s forming meaningful connections with those around her. She's a real "people person" who exudes the kind of friendliness you’d anticipate from someone born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In her daily life, Merry surrounds herself with the things she loves: her husband, her two cats, her two dogs—and her passion for running, which became the foundation for her physical and mental health journey.