Walking on Eggshells: Discovering Strength and Courage Amid Chaos (26 page)

The two-bedroom apartment at the Waipuna was a big step up from our one-room studio.
(
Photograph by Lisa Wysocky
)

By sixth grade I had long stopped believing in Santa, but I still liked the symbolism of Christmas and the holidays.
(
Photograph courtesy of Lyssa Chapman
)

My seventh-grade photo. I felt nothing like the other kids in my class.
(
Photograph courtesy of Lyssa Chapman
)

In counseling I found that writing out my thoughts helped. Reading this now makes me feel very sad.
(
Photograph courtesy of Lyssa Chapman
)

More writing from my counseling workbook. Every child deserves to feel safe, but that wasn’t the case for me.
(
Photograph courtesy of Lyssa Chapman
)

The beginning of my “bad girl” years. I can’t believe I thought I looked cool.
(
Photograph courtesy of Lyssa Chapman
)

A prescription for just one of the many medications prescribed to me.
(
Photograph courtesy of Lyssa Chapman
)

The medication list grows and grows.
(
Photograph courtesy of Lyssa Chapman
)

Barbara, our mother, and me, just after Abbie’s birth. My mother seems thrilled with her grandchildren, Travis
(left)
and Abbie
(right). (
Photograph courtesy of Lyssa Chapman
)

Abbie and me. Cute clothes, but I hate the photo. I was fifteen years old. No child that young should have a baby.
(
Photograph courtesy of Lyssa Chapman
)

When I moved back to Hawai’i (both times) I moved into this house with Dad and his family.
(
Photograph by Lisa Wysocky
)

Abbie and I had so much fun together.
(
Photograph courtesy of Lyssa Chapman
)

This unusual photo was taken to support the NOH8 Campaign. This nonprofit organization’s mission is to promote equality.
Left to right:
Leland, Duane Lee, Dad, Beth, and me.
(
Photograph courtesy of Adam Bouska
)