I have never told this story in public and I have not told everything that is here, probably ever. I have always felt a pulling to the children and families who are or have been involved in this system, or have suffered in the darkness of our world. I’m going to include a bio that is taken from the first chapter of my book. That first chapter is a letter to my reader and it is the heart of that letter. However, that bio in grounded much more in the recovery years, and I it is important when talking to foster families to talk about the tough stuff that comes first. I have a strong desire to tell the story of healing, but in order to appreciate being saved, it is necessary to recognize the conditions that precipitated the need for it. For these reasons, I have added a much more detailed account of my childhood for consideration.

I know the story that follows is overly dramatic and may at times seem sensational. However, it is important to offer the following disclaimer: as I will mention below, It has been clearly demonstrated first within my own meditation and consideration and later confirmed in my medical and psychological records that my early (Oregon and before) memories have been compromised by intentional manipulation, I also have been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. Consequently, my memory of this entire period and even presently has been greatly affected. I have recounted my history as I remember it and as I have pieced it together. It is impossible that any child’s memories not be influenced by the accounts of those around us. This is certainly true in my case. Furthermore, many of the people who surrounded me as I was growing up shared some common traits that make their influence wholly unreliable. However, I have done my very best to apply as much perspective and logic to these recollections as possible; to give an accurate accounting of events as they seem to have taken place. I have intentionally left out points that cannot be substantiated by multiple sources. And as this is a trait I had to devise and develop early just to gain the most basic concept of who I am or where I came from: I am confident that this is as accurate a narrative as I can offer at this time.