Why I ran away from home | Speech

For the second time this year, I was blessed with an opportunity to voice my story, as a means of helping and hopefully inspiring others, who were or are in a similar situation to me. Last Saturday, I gave my second public speech about where I came from, what I’ve been through, and how that has all shaped who I am today; only this time I finally felt comfortable enough to start opening up, more.
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#celticarab #alhamdulillah #mentalhealth #mystory

[Yara-htoy]

I’m in tears. You’re telling my story. I ran away at 16. I’m the second child of four (a brother and two sisters like you!). My stepdad did the same thing…I had the same worries about telling my mum about my stepdad…and yet she blamed me instead of him. My mother was also very abusive emotionally and physically. Whenever I told teachers what was going on they also went to my mum first…ruining my life further. And I couldn’t agree with you more! Our culture is not the same as our mother’s abuse! The only thing is my father is also abusive… so I can’t go to him. When I ran away I went into foster care / hostels and been homeless on the streets. But you reminded me at the beginning of your speech “I’m still writing my story” and the end of your speech “I’m unlearning so much of what I learned from my past”. I’m turning 23 in a couple of days, so I’m a little bit younger than you..I’m still healing ❤️‍🩹 May Allah protect you and grant you so much noor and barakah in your life Habibti, Allahumma Ameen.

[Hananinpalestine.]

" I learned to unlearn from my past"

So wise! It will be my motto.

[Maggie.can.hug.every.cat.]

My mum met one of my favourite high school teachers. The teacher said "oh you are Maggie's mum, we love Maggie" to which my mum replied "that makes one of us". I thought for years this was a funny story about my mums sense of humour. By that time, she had stopped going to my parent teacher interviews because she was sick of hearing how great I was. She taught me an eating disorder but still when dropping me off at uni student housing handed me a shopping bag full of lollies because the only way I would make friends was through bribery. Abuse, neglect, violence have no culture, but they do have cycles, and I think its a true sign of survival when we are able to break the cycle and focus on healing and loving instead of becoming abusers ourselves.

[kamysar]

How could a mother do this to her child….
I am so sorry this happened to you, I’m so glad you’re better now💕🥺

[dumbgenious]

I wanna share a quote from Victor Frankl, a psychologist who survived the holocaust, “As the day of his liberation came, when everything seemed to him like a beautiful dream, so too the day comes when all his camp experiences seem to him nothing but a nightmare”

[annaszuchy]

Watching your "arab mom vs irish dad" sort of light hearted videos and being curious about the details... this turned dark really fast

[allason]

I came here to hear your story and I heard you telling mine. Irish Father/Italian Mother. The isolation and loss of a family I never knew because of the things that she did under the banner of being “a good Italian mother”. The times I sought help only to be sent straight back to my abuser. I left at 18, 26 years ago. My sister is now 43 & has never left. She has been imprisoned in what she believes is normal.
I always thought I was the only one but because you shared your story I realised I am not alone.

[saraimeri]

Thanks for telling your story❤️. I have a story very similar to yours and I know extremely well what it feels like. I left home when I was 21, my family was extremely toxic, and like your family they hid behind the concept of culture and more. When I left I felt a relief and at the same time an absurd terror. I was alone, no family, at my side there was only my boyfriend. He couldn't help me financially because he was still studying. I worked hard and saved money, studied everything in order to get away. But when I left it was a very difficult time. They had manipulated me all my life, and they had built self-sabotage mechanisms into me. I cried and suffered to the point of thinking I was going to die. I felt heartbroken that I had abandoned my two sisters and younger brother. They told me that I had only thought about myself and that I had made life more difficult for them. I completely broke off ties with my two parents, I haven't talked to them since I left 3 and a half years ago. After the first difficult period I started to change slowly. I had begun to discover myself. Taking them out of my life was the best choice I've ever made. Now I am a free woman, I still suffer from depression but slowly I am making a lot of progress. Not having around people who constantly knock me down has made me discover many things about myself and the world. Listening to your story gave me courage and serenity. It's nice to hear the stories of other women who have found the courage to walk away.

You can't choose parents, but you can choose to be happy.

[Huba_beauty]

You deserve all the love ...i also had to go through all that..abused by my neighbour's son when i was 14😢wish for healing

[RonaldMcdonald-xm]

This made me tear up. I’ve had pain with my mother as well but luckily we worked through it. Most aren’t so lucky. I’m so sorry that this ever happened to you. It shouldn’t happen to anyone. And that “step father” is pure grime

[ihabmidhat]

Your strong and I am sorry and thank you.

[slowtvcraft]

I acctually cried at the end. My own journey has been hard lately, and your strength hit me. Yes i believe I can be so much more than they thought I could be. Thank you, bless!

[armenianmuslimah]

I’m so sorry you had to go through all that. No child, no human being deserves to be treated in such a disgusting manner. Alhamdulilah you’ve found your way out, I’m so happy for you. May Allah bless you♥️

[selamtewolde]

What an amazing woman that you are!!!!

[mayeshachoudhury]

masha'allah you are a very strong women and inspiring

[francescastrangio]

This is so powerful. You are so strong. Truly an inspiration ❤️

[megandeleonardis]

You my love,
You are such a beautiful strong soul.

Thank you for sharing your story, your words will help so many other souls who need the guidance. 🙏🏻

May God bless you.

[alexiapapadopoulos]

You go girl … all the best in your life.

[marianboctor]

Amazing, strong, brave women. May God bless you in every step you take.❤️

[YallaBitlBitl]

Blaming a toxic behavior on a culture is so pathetic. I'm an Arab and have 2 step children that I raised them and call them my own children. I treat them as equally as my own biological children and they call me their mommy even though they have a bio mom but she isn't raising them, I am. They told me they are grateful and happy that I'm their parent but I must say that I am blessed to raise such great kids 🙏 I'm sorry you went through this 😓