The Importance Of My Life

When I 15 years old, I ran away from “home.” I was running from the physical and emotional abuse I experienced from my “family.” I was running from kitchen where I got beat with sauté pans, wooden spoons and metal spatulas; from the living room where I was punched, kicked and slapped; from the garage where I was choked; from the house where I was degraded to a “worthless, stupid piece of shit.” And most importantly, I was running from the bathroom I cried and contemplate suicide in.

The latter part of my life at “home” was spent in my bathroom. It served as both a safe heaven and a cell. The bathroom was small enough where I could see all of my surroundings, yet I was subjected to an 8 by 4-foot room for 3 years. An odd place I know, however,

I was fortunate enough to apply and get into the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, a boarding school for high school juniors and seniors. Initially SCGSSM served as a place of shelter, food, water and an opportunity to further my education. However, SCGSSSM gave me so much more. The faculty and students provided me with the support system I needed to mature, develop and gain a sense of self worth. The school provided me with opportunities that I would have never would have experienced at home. For example, I was able to further my education by taking classes like linear algebra, number theory and molecular biology. I was also able to spend a summer interning and conducting economic development research at the Charleston Digital Corridor rather than living at home and be subject to more abuse. With the support of the school, I was able to become the student body president, host an entrepreneurship conference for teens, be the only student on the school Presidential Search Committee, create my own community engagement project and aid the school in combating a cyber bulling issue. Lastly and most importantly SCGSSM gave me family. I was lucky enough to meet and grow close to Coby, Chacha, Joel, Tommy, John and Ramsey. These people saved my life. They showed me loved and gave me a reason to care again. These individuals were not only my friends, they became my family, my fictive kin. I was 16 years old and I finally found a support system, a community, a family, one that I loved and one that loved me.

I am thankful for SCGSSM. And I can honestly say that the Governor’s School and the family I made there saved my life. If it were not for them I would have committed suicide. As I move forward in life and eventual become more comfortable telling my story, I wish to help teen other avoid suicide. My life was saved and I hope to share that gift with anyone else who is struggling to find hope