I grew up watching my parents raise me in the midst of trauma and chaos in the inner city. Looking back, my life was marked by vicarious trauma—the kind you witness, even if you don’t directly experience it.

Growing up in a complex family dynamic, my life was filled with challenges and barriers that many could not see from the outside. What was once a little girl who rarely spoke has become a woman who now advocates for others—specifically children and families—as a DCBS worker. All that little girl ever wanted was someone to advocate for her and her family.

For the first time, I felt completely out of control. I struggled to express my emotions. I lost my love for softball. College felt meaningless. Life was blurry—my mind protecting me from the full weight of grief.