Stories

My name is Mandy. I was born into a family that believed in polygamy. At age 9 I ran away from my home, as my parents had arranged for me to be married to a high elder. At this point I had already been subjected to physical, emotional and sexual abuse for four years. I ran away from Warsaw, not knowing how I would be able to survive. I hid in dark alley ways and begged people for food and stole from stores to survive. I also had my first introduction to IV heroin drug use during this time. I was so confused and lost. I felt that I couldn’t trust anyone. Everyone I had ever loved and trusted had let me down and crushed my soul. I felt hated by the world. I eventually tracked down an elementary school friend and her family. They were going to visit family in Mexico, and they let me travel with them. I ended up living with them for a month and then I started hitchhiking from state to state as a child through my teenage years and into adulthood. I’ve lived in 32 states. I am now a 36-year-old adult, who has had been challenged by multiple personality disorder for the last 27 years of my life. I have 12 alters. I have been through a lot in my 36 years including multiple suicide attempts and several overdoses from the IV heroin use. The ER doctors were able to bring me back to life 5 times. I have seen and been through many horrific times and challenges in my life. I have learned that we have a choice to stand up and fight for ourselves and to help others along the way. We can be that beacon of light, just calling out to everyone, “Hey, step out of the dark. Do not let fear decide your choice in life.” From age 9 until 25 I was addicted to heroin, until I chose to be a phoenix and rise from the ashes as a new creature! I have been clean 11 years from heroin. Sept 8th, 2008 was the day I threw it all away and rid myself of the darkness. At times the darkness still follows closely behind me, and I still fight daily with multiple personality disorder paired with being homeless for 27 years. I am sharing my story for anyone willing to listen and to take heart: You have a purpose, you are worth the fight, and you will win the war in the end! Never give up! #NeverGiveUpWeStandAsOne