I grew up in a broken home. My Parents were fighting since before I was born. By 9 months old my parents had divorced, leaving me to live with my mother. Money was always tight. There was a time where we ate baloney sandwiches three times a day. I know a little about what it means to be hungry growing up.

I when was about 5 years an older boy who was supposed to be watching me was repeatedly molesting me until age 6. When my father found out, he took me away from my mother. I was sent off to boarding school, that was supposed to help children with cognitive disabilities and developmental challenges. During this time I was exposed to corporal punishment. These wasn't just bare bottom spankings, we were beaten and humiliated for what were simple acts of childhood and slight misbehaving. However the abuse did not stop there. Punishments would lead into many sexual acts. The damage done to me during my 7 years there would follow me almost the rest of my life.

At age 9 I had already smoked weed and drank alcohol. By 14 this became a regular occurrence and means to escape. I moved often, got into trouble frequently and been arrested a handful of times. All these actions were a deeper cry for help; for the Love and Attention I never got growing us a child.