Although my childhood was far from ideal and my naive decisions have had life-long consequences, my journey has been rich in lessons and experiences. Indeed it has been a journey that has taken me from a little girl silenced, to an award-winning artist and speaker.

Growing up I was silenced by the belief that “little girls should be seen and not heard” so I kept quiet. Art became my voice, as I began to silently sketch my innermost thoughts and feelings, and through my art, make sense of my life. Over time, I studied what had shaped me, who had influenced me, what was in my control, and what I needed to do to thrive!

I am not sure when I fully realized I was in control of changing my situation, but I do remember starting to make the most of my limited resources, rather than focusing on what I didn’t have. In retrospect, I was actually following a process I now call ART – Awareness, Resilience and Transformational which guided me out of the darkness, and into the life I love.

I now smile when I am introduced as an award-winning speaker and artist, with a growing list of awards & qualifications on my resume. I smile not in a boastful way but in an empowered way – as I am living proof that we can heal, grow and achieve. Today, I use my spoken words to empower the audience, and my creative expressions and art exhibitions as the backdrop for interactive, experiential learning.