At the tender age of 12, I found myself within the barbwired walls of Mountain Park Baptist Boarding Academy, a place I would call 'home' from 1997 to 1999. It was here, in an environment that promised growth and guidance, that I endured some of the most harrowing experiences of my life. The staff employed tactics of fear and shame to enforce submission to the school's draconian rules. My spirit was systematically broken through acts of extreme physical and psychological abuse. Among the myriad injustices, I was forced to eat my own vomit, suffocated, subjected to the humiliation of being screamed at and pelted with food by other students, denied essential medical care, stripped of all personal possessions, and isolated from my family through the severance of all forms of communication.

The toll on my health was profound: I lost 65 pounds, suffered from amenorrhea, panic disorder, and was left with complex post-traumatic stress disorder—a testament to the depth of my suffering. Yet, from this crucible of pain, I emerged with a resilience that has defined my path forward. Today, I am a full-time artist, entertainer, and writer, drawing strength from my past to fuel my creative passions. Though the shadows of those years linger, haunting me still, I am committed to sharing my story. It's a beacon for others who have endured similar torment, a message that they are not alone, nor are they 'crazy' for the trauma they carry. To all who suffered alongside me, know this: no one deserved what we went through. My heart extends to you all in love and solidarity, as we continue to heal and support one another on this journey.