Emily's Long Way Home

Emily's journey through adversity has been a testament to her resilience and strength. Growing up in a chaotic and abusive environment, with a father battling addiction and a mother struggling with her own mental health, Emily and her three sisters faced hardships that no child should endure. The toxic environment, marked by substance abuse, emotional abuse, and financial instability, led to a traumatic childhood.

Emily's father's drug addiction and manipulative behavior created an unsafe and frightening atmosphere. The turning point came when Emily's father overdosed, leading to the intervention of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Emily and her sisters faced the difficult choice of foster care or reuniting with their mother and step-father. Despite her mother's past shortcomings, Emily acknowledges the chaotic nature of her upbringing and the challenges her mother faced.

At the age of 12, Emily found herself struggling to cope with overwhelming emotions. She was given a used tablet for Christmas only to find out it was broken. She became so upset that she smashed it to the floor but her anger was still there. At that point, she picked up one of the broken glass shards from the tablet and used it to cut herself and felt the relief she was looking for. The broken tablet incident marked the onset of her self-harm addiction, which persisted until she was nearly 18. Simultaneously, she developed a severe eating disorder, using it as a way to gain control over her tumultuous life. When her mother did notice her weight loss, the support provided was minimal to non-existent, lacking the understanding Emily needed.

The lack of open communication within the family was evident when Emily experienced her first breakdown in seventh grade. The pediatrician addressed her anxiety and self-harm but overlooked the severity of her anorexia. At the same time, Emily's younger brother was experiencing major health issues, that further strained her mother's attention, allowing Emily to continue her harmful behaviors.

The gravity of Emily's struggles intensified in the eighth grade. Academic performance declined, friendships disappeared, and self-destructive behaviors escalated. A suicide attempt marked a low point, leading to a brief hospitalization. Diagnosed with PTSD, anorexia, and self-injury disorder, Emily's journey through different treatment programs began.

Family dynamics and external pressures, combined with her brother's health issues, contributed to the complexity of Emily's situation. The narrative paints a stark picture of the shortcomings in mental health care and the challenges faced by individuals navigating a system that often fails to provide adequate support.

The story takes a dark turn as Emily recounts her traumatic experience in a Virginia psychiatric facility. Experiencing sexual and emotional abuse and negligence, Emily became a voice for the unheard, shedding light on the atrocities within the system. The grim reality of the mental health care system's failures is portrayed vividly through Emily's story.

Sadly, she remained in that hospital for two years, being tormented, abused, and neglected. Her own mental health condition became dire, and her self-harm included suicide attempts. She was eventually sent to a residential program where she endured more emotional and physical abuse.  Her family was in denial, refusing to believe her accounts of assault and mistreatment. They lost hope and became so frustrated without the ability to help her, so they ultimately abandoned her.  She ended up becoming so physically ill that she was taken to a hospital, hooked up to IV’s and NG tubes. Emily remained hospitalized for seven months in order to get her medically and emotionally stabilized.

Her eventual transition to Continuum marked a turning point. Despite setbacks and challenges, Emily embraced the opportunity for a new life. She underwent significant physical and mental transformations, with the support of a dedicated medical team. Emily's story is one of survival, resilience, and the pursuit of a better future.

“Mind blowing” is the word she uses to describe her life now. She’s studying to get her license, getting her high school degree, enjoying being out and about in the world. She even took an adventure to New Hampshire with her peers.

Today, at 22, Emily is a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome unimaginable challenges. She has reclaimed her life, pursuing education, employment, and personal growth. While scars from the past linger, Emily stands as a symbol of hope and strength, inspiring others with her journey from despair to recovery.