For 10 years, I lived in that house hoping that one day I would feel loved, wanted, and safe. Instead, I was made to feel like a burden. I was told I wasn't wanted and that they would never treat their biological children the way they treated me. Those words stay with you. They change how you see yourself.
I stayed quiet for years because I was afraid. I was afraid of speaking up, afraid of not being believed, and afraid of what would happen if I did. They used religion, intimidation, and guilt to make me feel like I was always the problem.
Things were thrown at me. I was hit with a tennis racket and a hairbrush. And afterward, I wasn't comforted or protected--I was blamed. I was told I should know that "she's just passionate," as if that somehow excused it.
When I finally left, I found something I had been missing my entire life: a family that genuinely cared about me and showed me what love and safety are supposed to feel like. For the first time in years, I felt wanted.
But instead of letting me stay with the people who took me in and cared for me, they're now trying to send me far away from Western Springs. To me, it feels like they're trying to remove me from everyone I know and silence me rather than allow me to stay with a family that has shown me kindness and support. They have refused to let me remain with the family who took me in, even though that's where I feel safe and loved.
After everything, I don't believe this is about what's best for me. I believe it's about protecting themselves, controlling the story, and saving their reputation. If they truly cared about me, they would want me to be somewhere I feel safe, loved, and supported.
I'm sharing this because no child should have to spend years feeling unwanted, afraid, and unheard. And now, after finally finding people who care about me, I'm terrified of losing that too. read more