How fortunate am I.
Yes, I was the outcome of rape. One who had to overcome a childhood full of violence and abuse.
Yes, I was rejected by my immediate family. Kicked out of school, out of home. Failed at jobs, relationships, didn’t have a place to live. Spent years in therapy facing PTSD, depression, suicide. Believed that there was no place for me in this world.
But I didn’t give up.
How fortunate am I. At 22 I created a self-control and social skills programme for children called Warrior Kids. To help children in my community who were like me. There was no funding, no support, I just did it. Now it’s been going for 27 years.
I became an award-winning author. Me! The kid who was kicked out of school, who couldn’t recite the alphabet from A to Z, who couldn’t tell the time on analog clocks, and who didn’t know his timetables.
For two decades now I’ve been sharing my story of overcoming a violent and abusive childhood and breaking the cycle with audiences, inspiring both the young and the old.
I have a safe home and a beautiful family.
Warrior Kids classes for term 3 are set to start this week. Children and their families are booked in. I have novels to complete writing. Talks to present. It’s going to be a busy term 3 for me.
How fortunate am I.
Don’t give up!
With love
Tim
This blog was first published on Facebook and Linkedin July 24, 2021.
Copyright© Tim Tipene, 2021.
