Mae

“The most challenging time in my life was when I was living at home with my mom and stepfather. He was molesting me, and all five of us children were physically abused by both of them. We got daily whippings that cut into our skin and made us bleed. After years of this, I ran away and was picked up by the police. An uncle (one who had been trying to get my parents to stop the beatings) came down to the police station and told them what was going on, but I was so afraid of my mom that I denied it.

“As each of us children turned 13, my mom put us out of the house. I went to stay with my uncle. I could never focus in school. The teachers said I didn’t do anything but daydream. After the ninth grade I dropped out, ended up on drugs, and got to the point where I was tempted to slit my wrists and commit suicide. I lived on the street, doing drugs, selling my body, homeless, and suicidal until six months ago when I saw a brochure about a community living program, called, and was accepted.

“My life has changed tremendously since that time. I still have struggles, but I have my sanity back. I’m learning how to live again, but in a different way than I ever have. When I feel like giving up, I talk to a staff member or one of my peers. I have hope that I can hold on to now, hope to get me through.”

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