Dear Renisha: Turning Trauma Into Triumph

Introduction

Dear Readers,

I ask you to read my story with an open heart and mind. I'm going to tell you about America's best kept secret!
The secret system that nobody knows that it even exists other than its survivors.
It's called the Troubled Teen Industry also known as TTI. I myself am a TTI survivor. I attended five TTI programs for 6 years of my life .
The best way to explain how I felt as an eleven year old little girl entering my first TTI program is to imagine what it would be like for a domesticated kitten being thrown into a lion's den with untamed, furious lions.
I didn't understand why I was being sent away. It took me many years to accept that I wasn't a bad child.
Often the family dynamics are overlooked when it comes to " troubled kids''. These programs did way more damage to the children who attended these programs that are corrupt while imitating righteousness.
Many come out of these programs more damaged then when they entered the program, resulting in long lasting trauma that caused them to develop PTSD, depression, being suicidal, and anxiety disorder. As you read my story, I've included information gathered from various sources, books, and several online articles though research on statistics of adoptees, child abuse and the troubled teen industry. I've included a great list of resources within the pages of this book. I hope my story inspires you to learn more and read further into what I've written.
This book is dedicated to those who have survived the troubled teen industry and to those still "trapped in treatment." Together we can bring reform and help make a difference in someone else's life.
It took me many years to learn that I AM worthy of love and that I am NOT unloveable.
Sometimes it takes your heart more time to accept what your mind is conditioned to believe by your abusers.
Trauma is personal, it does not disappear if it is not validated.
I encourage all of my fellow survivors to not be afraid to speak your truth. In the words of Maya Angelo: "There is no greater sadness than holding on to the words you never had the courage to speak about and there is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you."
Sometimes we have to grow through what we go through, and healing takes time and we have to teach ourselves to be triumphant despite our trauma. For many years our voices were silenced, we lived our lives in survival mode.
I would like to thank Susie Spencer for helping me edit this book. It is amazing to have friends you can trust and who want you to succeed in life! Our friendship is proof that Great things will happen when Women Support each other because We are stronger together!
Thank you for choosing to read my book. I hope as you read, my story sparks a fire in your heart to be the voice for change & empowers my readers to speak their truth no matter what.

Sincerely,
Sabrina Young - Author