Anonymous Submission Season 1 Episode 1

A person shares their traumatic experiences of their parents' divorce, custody battles, and the emotional neglect from their dad. They recount how their mom abandoned them and their dad gained full custody. Later, they move back in with their mom and face physical abuse from their stepdad. They endure freezing nights sleeping in their car and their mom's indifference. Eventually, their mom divorces the stepdad, but the person still struggles with trauma as an adult. The message ends with acknowledging their strength and offering support, therapy, and the possibility of finding meaning in life. Welcome to The Voice of a Secret with Noora. Today's anonymous submission is very touchy. When I was a toddler, my parents got a divorce. They had a long battle of who gets custody of me. My mom ended up winning the custody and my dad was put on child support. When I was turning six years old, my mom dropped me off at my dad's house with majority of my belongings. She said she was going to be gone for a short period of time and that she would be back. Visiting my dad wasn't odd as I would see him on weekends. My dad was not affectionate at all. In fact, he showed no emotion whatsoever. I was used to it from my mom and thought this was a normal relationship with parents and children. Throughout my mom's absence, I became accustomed to living with my dad and the feeling was mutual. My dad took my mom to court and told the judge that my mom abandoned me and it's been well over a year. The judge granted my dad full custody. When my mom was told that she was now on child support, she lost her shit. It turned out that my mom got remarried which explained her long absence. But her return was the most hurtful because it wasn't for me. It was to not pay my dad child support. Years go by and both my parents had new kids and I was still back and forth. When I turned 14, my dad surprised me in a way no one could imagine. I come home from school only to find out that the locks had been changed. He left the country without leaving me any notice. This resulted in me moving back in with my mom. At this point, adaptability was a specialty that I had perfected. After some time, a fear that I never thought I would unlock was indeed unlocked. My stepdad began assaulting me in unimaginable ways. Assault was a different kind of pain. The pain that lives inside your heart forever. I was shattered. Words were difficult to utter. Breathing became more difficult. Eating was none more than just a task of survival for me, if I even wanted that. I was afraid to tell anyone. I knew no one would believe me since all I was was collateral damage. The assault continued until I got a little older when I was able to start leaving the house and it became permissible and easier for me. My stepdad didn't take this lightly. He would punish me by locking all the locks so that I could not get into my mom's house. There were nights I slept in my car while it was freezing cold outside. The next day, my mom would tell me that I should learn to not come home late and that there are rules that I have to follow in their home. His hate towards me grew day by day. His daily task was to make my life harder. My mom and stepdad's relationship eventually began deteriorating and it was just a matter of time that they would get a divorce. My mom is now remarried for the fourth or fifth time. Her children are all sorts of lost. I'm battling many traumas as an adult with ongoing therapy. Does this pain ever go away? Well, I just wanted to start by saying that you are a strong person and I am deeply sorry that you had to endure this kind of pain and go through traumas such as these. Your story is definitely a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. The experiences you've endured are deeply traumatic and it's understandable that the pain still lingers. It's important to remember that healing takes time. It's important to remember that healing takes time. The wounds you've suffered are deep and it may take years to process and overcome them. Therapy is a valuable tool for coping with trauma and developing healthy coping mechanisms. While the pain may never completely disappear, it's possible to learn to live with it and find meaning in your life. Seeking support from loved ones, friends, or support groups can also be very helpful. It's also important to acknowledge the complex dynamics of your family and the ways in which your parents' own traumas and struggles may have contributed to your experiences. Understanding the underlining causes can provide a sense of perspective and closure. Remember, you're not alone. Many people have gone through similar experiences and have found ways to heal and thrive. You deserve to live a life free from pain and suffering. Fuck your stepdad and fuck your mom.