My mother believed in the power of God - believed in it absolutely, thought God would protect her from all of life's troubles if she just had faith. I watched her decline in her latter years, loose all her money and end up in a neighborhood like the one you describe, where gun shots rang out on a regular basis.

I had left home long before that and it was the shame of my life was that I was not able to help her during those years. But the lesson for me was that neither did the God she believed in. Still she died believing in him as strongly as ever, believing that the misery she suffered was somehow his will, perhaps a test of her worthiness or a punishment for her sins.

I never forgot that madness; it still haunts me today.

Sad to hear you were subject to such abuse and neglect, and happy that you are working past those deficites, congratulations.

The world may never know, and often, not care. Thank you for sharing this, it helps put humanity in perspective. And yes, where was ..god? Same place it’s always been, in the imagination of inept humans.

You will appreciate the seemingly simplest of things as few in our culture do, perhaps the only upside.. You will relate to those many can’t. You will be a resource among appreciative friends. You’ve proven yourself a survivor, and someone worthy will earn your love.

Amazing and inspiring story. Two questions, sort of: 1) How'd you do it? (Were you a naturally good student? Were you able to get a scholarship? Did a change in your living conditions have to wait until you were able to move out, or did it occur before then? 2) What emotional challenges did you have to overcome or do you still have from the lack of human interaction you described?

Well done... You should be giving motivational talks in schools. You're an inspiration.

"What does not kills us,makes us stronger" You should have a sign made up for other people to see,of your accomplishments.

I sincerely hope that someday , you'll find all the love you missed out on , while growing up . The real thing , not just words . You deserve it .

Overcoming adversity. I salute you as I am from a similar background although not nearly as challenging.
May I wish you every success; the fears of your upbringing will drive you to never allow your family to suffer the same.

Fantastic job! You should be very proud of yourself! I was the first person in my family to earn a masters. My family was poor and neither of my parents graduated from high school, but I would not have been able to get any degree with my mom's support. I cannot imagine getting a degree without any support.

Congratulations . I have the same fear as well as becoming homeless. It drove me to save and earn

My story could mirror yours in many respects.

Wow. You are awesome. I grew up so different. Although we lived in a very poor area and I had many friends as a child who grew up similar to you so I can't say that I'm shocked or don't understand completely. I just never experienced that kind of life myself. All I can say is that most of my childhood friends are either dead now or carrying on the legacy of their parents. You are truly a very strong person with a lot of determination and a strong mind. Good for you.

Congratulations and you did it yourself. Your way. Be proud.

Wow what a story, i remember as a child and young man tacoma was always a very bad place to live, but spokane is way worse now, grew up here in spokane, our whole city is turned into a pile of you know what. anyways, I am a diabetic myself, server nephropathy in feet and legs, i have tried the vegan diets only to make my sugars even more worse. Your story should be told though to the world. so that people cn learn from it. just saying.

Congratulations. I hope you're proud of yourself because all are ? That's some difficulties you've fought through!

Congratulations, you have finally passed the bar of someone who was more abused as a child than was I. Thank you for showing me that I am not the most mistreated person alive.

No one is more deserving of the success you've earned. I'm happy for you.

Bravo. If you don’t change your life, no one else will. I learned the same thing in the same way. I didn’t suffer through lack of care, but I saw multiple forms of abuse. Good for you. Really. I wish there were more people just like you.

Wow. Props to you, young lady. You're obviously a very strong and courageous individual. Often, I think others hear about, or perhaps live, stories like yours and draw the same conclusion you did; there's no all-seeing, all-loving father figure up in the sky. I hope you have other family, compassionate folks, who can share in your triumph.

What a wonderful story of triumph over adversity. You are a brave and resilient person and you can take pride in knowing you and only you achieved what you have. There is most definitely a book in you and some day I hope you write it. In the meantime good luck in your career and it is not surprising that you have chosen one that will help alleviate the nutritional deficit you experienced in your earlier life.

Damned right. You did it. It always amuses me when I hear people say that they couldn't have done it without god. I know they think that's being humble, but I hear, "I'm better than everyone who faced the same adversity because god chose me over every single one of them.' Besides, whether they it or not, they absolutely did do it without god.

Congratulations!
You have overcome terrible childhood and that in itself is an achievement! All the best for your future ?

Congrats! What a wonderful success story and may you have many more in the years to come.

My, after reading that I'm torn between sobbing and joy, and sobbing for joy. Despite the painful lump in my throat, I am so proud of you. Whoever you are, I applaud you. warm hug

Good for you!!!
I'm pulling for you to have at least a nice life from here on out, but hope you have a great life instead. Just let it flow, "be like water" (Bruce Lee quote), and do good.
Thanks for brightening my day with news of your graduation.