I was given up for adoption at birth. I was adopted by a loving and caring woman, who passed away from cancer when I was 4 years old. That was when my life began to change. I lived in many different homes with many different people all while enduring sexual and physical abuse.  I started running away from the abuse only to end up enduring it during my stay at the next home. A family member took me to Southern Home for Destitute Children because I was deemed a "problem child". I grew up a product of my experiences and environment. Needless to say as a teen all the way into adulthood I was on a path of destruction. I aimed to hurt others and myself in the process for the hurt I endured. I was not violent but I was determined to live up to the name "problem child". I took to the streets and became a menace.

 

I indulged in illegal activities, I found myself looking for love in all the wrong places, all while having the attitude that the world owed me something. I can remember waking up one morning from a night of partying thinking that I needed someone that would love me unconditionally. I decided to get pregnant, not caring to be with the father just wanting something/someone that I knew would never leave me or hurt me. My lifesaver was born on February 1, 1989, at 10:46 pm. The sad thing was I wasn't ready to be a mother at that time of my life as I was still heavily involved in the streets. My daughter had to be looked after by her grandmother until I was strong enough to face my fears, mature enough to not blame myself for the abuse I endured, and wise enough to know that I needed to love myself. Fast forward to now and me being the strong, courageous, educated, well-balanced, committed, driven, and humble person that I've grown to be. By the grace of God, my past will not negate my future. I have vowed to be an advocate, resource, and a constant reminder of self-worth to all that I get the chance to encounter.

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