Stripping the Scales

by Shannon Christie

A childhood without a father's presence, marked by a violation that left lasting scars, and a youth spent navigating the cold realities of foster and group homes that offered little comfort. This tumultuous start propelled me into a life where boundaries blurred, leading to brushes with the law and periods of imprisonment. I walked unexpected paths, from the spotlight of performance to the quiet solitude of domestic work, where an insidious act of violence shattered any semblance of peace. The pursuit of justice proved to be a cruel illusion, where I was met with indifference and deception from those meant to serve. Then came my penultimate trial, followed by a devastating loss that would change my world forever.