Free From the Basement: A Journey of Survival and Hope.

Locked up in a basement for 23 years, I was a slave at home. I was abused mentally and physically. Coming from a family of 5, my parents were always fighting and screaming loudly when things got bad. To make things worse, I was always on the receiving end. My biological father would hit me and call me names.

At school, I was known for my smile, but behind that smile, there was a lot of sadness and tears.
I lived in fear.

In school, I would often fall asleep and wouldn't talk to anyone because I wasn't allowed. When I came home, as always, I went straight to the basement. After graduation, I walked to a bridge and wanted to commit suicide. I told myself the world would be better off without me in it. Walking on that bridge, ready to jump, I reached out to the Steve O'Brien Foundation and asked, "How do we keep going even if we are ready to quit?" His response was simple: "My dear, as long as you have air in your lungs, never give up." So with all the air still in my lungs, I walked off the bridge and kept going.

But when I got home, the abusive pattern continued. It was a terrifying time.

With newfound hope and a will to live, I continued reaching out to Steve O'Brien. The first time I met him, I hid behind a bush, scared to come out. My whole life, everyone had lied to me, but Steve kept his word and showed up. I had to touch his hand just to see if he was real.
I cried and smiled when I realized he was.

However, my trauma convinced me to feel ashamed and believe that I didn’t deserve compassion. Because of this, I lied to Steve for four years, telling him I came from Vancouver because I was too scared to tell him the truth about my home life.
When I finally told him the truth—that I lived here in Quebec and went to school with his son, Josh—he reassured me it was never my fault or my burden to carry.
On April 5th, 2020, with the help of police officers, Steve saved me from where I was living, and I was finally free from that basement.

This blog was posted anonymously by someone in our RISE UP community. If you think you know this person's identity, please respect their privacy and allow this space to remain a safe haven.

Firstly, to the person who shared this story: I am so sorry for everything you went through. No one deserves to be treated this way, and I am incredibly thankful you found Steve and were able to free yourself from the abusive environment you were in. I am also so HAPPY that you never walked off that bridge. You are valued, you are important, and you have always deserved to be here.
Thank you for sharing your story with us! You are truly inspiring!

This powerful story reminds us that we never truly know what someone is struggling with, even when they appear to be smiling. Hidden beneath the surface, there can be immense pain and hardship.
Let's use this story as a reminder to TURN OUR PAIN INTO POWER and to approach others with more compassion and understanding. We must be kind to everyone, as we have no idea what battles they may be facing!