***** Trigger Warning ***** 13 months of my life has been spent behind the secure doors of the hospital. Today I get released. How did my life turn out like this? I once had the perfect family. Join us to find out about Jasmine's past, will she see the light at the end of the tunnel?
Today's the day.
Today's the day, the sun is shining through the window and I'm finally getting home.
What's that finding Nemo quote again?
"Todays the day, the sun shining, and the tank is clean – THE TANK IS CLEAN"
That's how I feel, 13 months I have spent in hospital and today I get to leave and try and go back to having a normal life. 13 months ago I came in here as a lonely, scared 15 year old crying out for help. Today I leave as a strong 16 year old, and I am never returning.
You're probably thinking why is that exciting? There must be something up with me if I've been in hospital that long?
Well let's begin.
01 January 2007, new year new me. This was the day I decided I was not going to let my past define me and I was going to finally move out of my abusive parents' home. However, this is where it got a bit tricky, I mean I was 14 years old, where on earth was I meant to go? My grandparents had already passed, we had no family near us. So, what was I meant to do, I was completely stuck. However, I knew someone who might be able to help me. But first I had to share my story.
A few weeks before we broke up for Christmas, I went to school, and sat down with my head teacher. I began to unravelled my life. Finally, after what felt like a few hours, she hugged me and went through my next steps with me.
She explained I would have go to the police and file a report, she explained that it would be a series of tests at the hospitals and many many statements to different people. I had to make sure I stayed calm and spoke clearly. It all sounded pretty straight forward. I had made up my mind, this is what I needed to do.
So, I went to the police, and I filed a report against my stepdad. But it was as easy as my teacher made it seem, yes there was a lot to it but it seemed easy. There was about a million steps, and after it all came to an end I was still trapped.
But if we really want to get to the nitty gritty of how my life became so chaotic, we really best start at the very beginning.