TW: mentions abuse, SA, DV, FV, IPV⁣ ⁣ It has taken me almost 2 decades to recognise that I’m not a victim but a survivor. Over 10yrs to first share my story, publicly. Fighting the internalised shame, blame & ableism.⁣ ⁣ To be sexually harassed & assaulted as young as 8. To experience Sexual Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) at 13, then physical IPV from 15-17. And numerous types & forms since.⁣ ⁣ But happened when I was 16, changed my life forever in the worse way possible as I’m physically reminded of it constantly: via my spinal injury & spinal stenosis. The constant, agonising & debilitating chronic pain that emotionally + physically cripples me, every moment of every day is because of HIM. The burning, aching, weakness, numbness. Tears each time I struggle to move, walk, live my life, survive.⁣ ⁣ Throughout life, the *only* way I could make sense of all the shit things that happened to me (ie being born so terribly unwell, being mistreated so horribly, dealing with FV & DV, stalkers, complex chronic illness & pain, homelessness & more traumatic situations & toxic people than I can recall).. is so I can use such experiences to help others.⁣ ⁣ That the only reason I was put on earth 🌏 & life was so hard is to make a difference. To turn my pain & trauma, into something positive. It’s why I work so hard to do good.. try to be a good advocate & activist: pushing for representation, equal rights, gender equity, youth wellbeing, mental health, suicide prevention, violence prevention, anti-racism, intersectional feminism & disability justice.⁣ ⁣ The Disability Royal Commission (DRC) hearings into Violence, Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation of People w Disabilities begun on Monday in Nipaluna/Hobart & the focus is on DV, Sexual Violence & Abuse. ⁣ The DRC is one of many steps into *finally* ensuring disabled voices are heard! Esp the voices of women, girls, feminine-identifying & non-binary disabled people as we’re disproportionately impacted. Diverse stories from LGBTIQA+ & B,I,POC must also be heard. ⁣ Thank you @ElizabethlWright & @Celina_Edmonds @ABCNews_Au for giving me another platform to share my story. For giving me & my story power to help create change!💪🏽