I want to be seen and treated as an individual rather than a problem. My life has been marked by challenges—being away from home, losing my hearing in both ears, enduring abuse from various people, and creating problems that stemmed from these initial issues. This is my story, my narrative, and my way of reclaiming myself. I am not ashamed of my past, nor do I blame myself for any mistakes I have made or thoughts I have had.

Though I may have appeared vulnerable or powerless at times, I was never defective. As a child, I possessed a fierce will to survive and seek freedom, even when I didn’t know how to express my pain or confront those who hurt me. I loved myself too much to add to my own suffering. My curiosity about the world was boundless, but unfortunately, I also encountered the burdens and hardships that come with it, which left a deep scar in my heart for a long time.

While I could easily place blame on others, I recognize that doing so would not serve me. Instead, I try to understand that people did the best they could with what they knew and had, even if their actions were harmful and unjustifiable. The cycle of blame and hurt serves no purpose. I will never allow anyone to diminish my story, my experiences, my feelings, or my understanding. But now, it’s time for me to let go of the past and create a new life for myself—one that I shape with the support of my boyfriend, therapist, and closest friends. I fully embrace who I am, who I am becoming, and the future I am building for myself.

I hope this blog serves as a beacon of hope for those who feel let down and as if no one is coming to their rescue. I want you to know that I believe in you, and more importantly, I want you to believe in yourself. That belief is all you need.

I begin this story out of a newfound respect for myself—something I have long lacked, perhaps for my entire life. For years, I didn’t believe I deserved or was worthy of it. But now, as an adult, I’ve come to understand the power of shaping my own narrative. In this story, the word "respect" symbolizes my journey to acknowledging my own worth. Respect means recognizing that I am a person with genuine emotions and that my experiences are valid. Instead of keeping my story hidden, I want to openly acknowledge that it was filled with struggles and heartaches. Through these trials, I learned to endure physical and emotional pain and to persevere despite it.

I have 2 stories:
the one I heard growing up and the one I knew there was something more for me.

Meet Veronika