Q & A with
KENA'I
Suicide Survivor & Mental Health Warrior ver since I was a little girl, I was always different. At the age of 14, I was officially diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder (Manic Depression) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Being officially diagnosed finally gave me a little information on what was happening in my head. Not everyone in my family was accepting of my illness and some even believed “it was an excuse for crazy people to “act crazy” or for me, "a teenager to be rebellious." My mom became my strength, but my father became my trigger and for many years my siblings were afraid of me. While trying to come to terms with my illness, I began to gain weight from the different medications that I was taking which caused me to become the target of bullying my 7th grade year in school. I lost friends, my grades dropped, and I began to lose my will to live. Not only did I feel alone at school, but I felt like a stranger in my own home. After one very dark night, I had enough. Two weeks after my 13th birthday was the first of six attempts on my life. I went through three different facilities, engaged in self-harm, substance abuse, endured being raped, insecurities, spiritual emptiness, physical, mental and emotional abuse. After years of searching for strength, I finally found it within myself. I finally realized I am NOT my illness! It does NOT and will NOT define me! I am NOT crazy or hopeless! I am chosen! I found confidence in my beauty and I am ready to share my story… It was a pleasure interviewing our Fashion Director; the daughter of our founder. We are blessed to be apart of her healing journey.
Photo by Cash Captures
Fight Every Battle on Your Knees Spring 2020| rallyupmagazine.com | 27
