"Paralyzed by Motherhood: Navigating Life Through Postpartum Depression" is a powerful and deeply personal TEDx talk theme that sheds light on the often-overlooked emotional struggles many mothers face after childbirth. This talk explores the reality of postpartum depression (PPD) - a condition that can leave new mothers feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and disconnected from themselves and their babies. The speaker shared the internal battles of identity, shame, and silence that often accompany motherhood when it doesn't look or feel like the joyful experience society expects. Ultimately, it’s a story of survival, resilience, and hope - a call to normalize the conversation around PPD and to create a world where struggling mothers are not judged, but supported and heard. Annie Peters is an award-winning Graphic Designer and educator. She worked in the Memphis community and advertising agencies for several years until moving on to teaching. She most recently spent four years as Adjunct Professor at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH. She is currently happy to be a Lecturer of Graphic Design at Central Michigan University and be part of the Mt. Pleasant community. She is a well-rounded designer, having worked in apparel, promotional products, corporate branding, web design, illustration, consultation, marketing, and more. She is a jack of all trades and a master of branding. She is a seven-time recipient of gold American Advertising Federation (ADDY) awards for her branding, social media, and community work. Annie's research focuses on graphic design as an intervention for suicidal ideation, neurodivergence as an act of joy and resistance, and feminism in graphic design as it relates to motherhood and the aftermath of childbearing. All of this equates to the impact art and graphic design can have on mental health and the human experience. She has a wonderful family, an incredible husband, and a son she loves more than life itself. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx