The sleepless nights, the tears shed, the resentment held, and the unanswered questions. This is totally what years of my life consisted of. The memories I shared told a troubling story of a young girl at the age of three becoming a victim of sexual abuse that lasted for more than seven years. The violence in the home also made me a victim of physical, mental, and emotional abuse. Even after my mother shot and paralyzed my father out of self-defense the abuse continued.

As a teen I was rebellious, hateful and depressed. I had been placed in a group home because of my attitude I constantly questioned why I was born to a family that was so dysfunctional. After many failed attempts to end my pain, I felt running away would be the next best thing…. Leaving it all behind, so I thought! Not long after leaving I was found I was placed in foster homes.

It wasn’t until I was in my 20s that I decided I was no longer going to let the ones who had caused so much pain in my childhood continue to cause any pain in my adulthood. I was no longer going to be a victim! I was a victor, a survivor! Forgiveness cut that tie that gave my abusers control over me.

The past has made me who I am today. I am a survivor, foster mother, adoptive mother, author, motivational speaker, and a life coach. My journey is what I make it. My journey has changed because I chose to find healing in the hurt; I chose to find purpose through my pain.

I live to help others find purpose, those who have been victims I encourage them to become victorious and never allow the ones who once held them down to become a stumbling block to the future!

Be strong, be blessed, and believe in who you are meant to be.

-Dawn, Survivor