We all get those thoughts in our head that we can’t shake.

That’s pretty much where I’ve been lately. Fortunately (for me, anyway), I have a vehicle to get those thoughts out in the form of a column for this newspaper.

The thought I can’t seem to get away from boils down to this: if you believe in someone, let them know it.

One of my earliest experiences with this kind of support stems from my childhood.

Shortly after I was born, I was diagnosed with hydrocephalus – fluid on the brain. It was the first of several physical challenges I would face in my life.

When I was in the hospital for one of my five surgeries, I was introduced to another boy who was there for a similar procedure. I believe his name was Philip. I had never met him before, but I still loved getting to interact with someone my age who knew what I was going through.

Truthfully, I don’t remember much about Philip, or what he and I talked about. I never saw him again.

But I remember what it felt like to know I wasn’t alone.

Then, three years ago, I was diagnosed with a degenerative form of neuropathy, known as Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease. This condition affects my balance, as well as the peripheral nerves in my arms, hands, legs and feet.

It’s not a fun experience, I must say. But, thanks to the wonders of social media, I’ve encountered others who are going through the same thing.

I don’t take such things lightly. When I’m going through a difficult time, and someone out there “gets it” and tells me so, it makes me more willing to open up to them in the future.

The unwavering support I’ve received from these total strangers has meant everything to me. Many of them were diagnosed with CMT long before I was, and they have been incredibly helpful – offering tips and coping mechanisms based on their own experiences.

Others are newer to this fight than I am. Hopefully, I’ve been able to offer the same kind of support for them that I’ve received along the way.

Many of us know people who, for one reason or another, never seem to catch a break. They regularly endure difficult circumstances beyond their control.

Sometimes, it’s a friend who has fallen behind on his bills. Unexpected house repairs pile up, or his car breaks down for the hundredth time, and he can’t seem to catch up.

I’ve been there more times than I care to admit. During those times, I always appreciate those individuals who reach out to check on me, or to offer an “I love you” or “I’m praying for you.”

And yes, some of them have even opened their wallets to help me out of a jam. As helpful as the check might have been, knowing I had their love and support was even more valuable.

Sometimes, a person might be seen – rightly or wrongly – as walking through a catastrophe of their own making. Maybe they’ve struggled for months, or even years, with an addiction of some kind, and their internal demons refuse to give them a moment’s peace.

When I see people in such situations, I try my hardest to be someone who believes in them, and who isn’t afraid to say it. I can’t pretend to understand what they’re going through, but I refuse to abandon someone in the middle of a fight.

What I’ve found, in most cases, is that it’s appreciated more than I even realized.

Fortunately, I’ve been able to see some of those friends emerge victorious from their battles over time. I love being able to celebrate their successes and watch them live productive lives.

None of us is immune from hardship. A person’s particular struggle could be physical, mental, emotional, financial, or something else altogether.

I don’t have all the answers someone might be searching for. Maybe I’m not supposed to.

But, I can stand beside my friend in the midst of that search. Perhaps we can find the answers together.

Jason has worked in newspapers since 2005, spending the majority of that time in Henry County.