Growing up, I always felt awkward and desperate for acceptance. That need for belonging led me into a situation that changed my life—I was assaulted at a party by someone 11 years older, and I became pregnant. As a Native American, I grew up in a culture where we kept personal struggles inside, so I carried that pain silently. To cope, I turned to addiction, numbing myself through 16 years of ups and downs, in and out of jail and prison. My breaking point came after a car accident where I fell asleep at the wheel and hit a pedestrian. I almost killed someone, and the guilt was crushing. Today, after serving my time and doing the hard work, I’ve found acceptance. I’ve made peace with my higher power, my past, and myself. I would never intentionally hurt anyone, and I’ve learned that healing is possible, even after unimaginable mistakes.