I grew up in a physically and verbally abusive home. My youngest sister drowned when I was seven years old and my mother blamed me for it. I cooked, cleaned, cared for my siblings, and received daily beatings from my mother. I was told to be quiet, take what was coming to me, and not talk about our family. I did just that.

When I was 13, my mother told me I was fat, ugly, and unlikable. She told me know one would want me. She also said that if I ever talked with anyone about her I would be sorry, because anyone would believe her before they would believe me.

I did everything I could to win friends. I wanted so much to be liked. At age 17, I became pregnant. My mother told me she would not help me raise a child and that I must have an abortion. I did as I was told.