For a long time I never really knew how bad my life truly was. Yet, I am still very thankful for the experience of life. When I was a child I was sold off and abused by my parents. When I grew up I joined the Navy and fell in love. Eventually I got pregnant and lost my second child. I met my ex husband which was a very abusive situation in every aspect. I moved to Arizona when COVID happened. There was a higher rate of domestic violence and I wanted to help other women. I began to relocate women and children in abusive situations all over. I started to travel and do nonprofit work cross country. I got involved in some underground fights, started a gang war by accident, embarrassed myself, saved a man’s life and ended up on TV. I was with somebody who was well known of the community. He introduced me to millionaires, investors, everything. He taught me how business worked but when I didn’t want to be with him anymore he kidnapped me. The night he took me he tried to bury me alive. For 7 hours he tortured me before bringing me back to the room he would have me in. A few months later he would brutally assault me moments after I attempted to end my life. I ended up homeless so I moved to where my ex husband was. I needed his help with our child. I was thankful for my brother because he had him most of the time I was in that situation. I felt it was time for the man to be around. It didn’t start well but eventually we started working together. I rebuilt my life and began working for a university as an armed guard. Everyday I would bike 10 miles to work, drop my son off at daycare, and bike 10 miles home. I did everything I could to make sure he knew he was loved. He went to school at the elementary school location on the university property. I became the target of intentional sexual harassment by my team and the university police. I formally reported the police and the very next day I was arrested as an armed guard on the property on firearm related charges. I know what you’re thinking.”What did you do?” The answer is.. I didn’t do anything wrong. I was arrested by officers who had involvement or knowledge of what was happening. Because of that my life has been hell. I lost everything. Then the charges were dropped, mediation was approved, all was well except I had a whole other custody battle going on at the same time. It’s been a nasty one but it’s okay. I decided to hire a lawyer to help me. I gave him the money and I met him at his office twice to discuss the case. One day he just vanished. He took the money and never even filed to represent me. It’s been a stressful time recently as I’m sure you can imagine. I’ll be okay though. I’ve learned a lot in these experiences especially what I don’t want to be ever again. I am trying so hard to be the best person I can possibly be for the sake of my child. Even though it hurts, I use the pain to fuel the fire of motivation within me to keep going. Even though I’m tired, I refuse to stop. When I don’t want to keep going, I do. I am an unstoppable force and I believe in myself because I have to, there’s nobody else fighting this with me. I’ve never been believed so when my child spoke, I listened and reacted. My kid is all I have in this world and I will not fail this child again. When this is over I hope to finally know what it means to be at peace. I share this story with sadness, love, regret, and pride. I’ve come a long way from where I once was and I refuse to go back. When I feel like the weight of the world will break me I remember I am worthy and I am strong. When I get the chance to hold my baby once more and hear the sound of their voice I will never take it for granted again.