20 years later
and I still
remember
everything…
“… third-degree burns over 70% of my body.”
I was merely 9 years old when my mother, two sisters, and I were severely injured in a house fire in Vietnam. I sustained third-degree burns on over 70% of my body.
During the first few months after the accident my body was often in excruciating pain. However, the physical pain I felt was nothing compared to the heartache I felt when I found out my mother had passed away. And to deepen the heartache, I was still in the hospital with fresh wounds and could not attend her funeral; I never did get the chance to say goodbye to her.
Many nights I asked, “Why me?”
Two years later, at 11 years old, my family and I left everything we ever knew behind to immigrate to America where I could get advanced burn treatments.
The years that followed often felt like nightmares. I underwent more than 25 painful surgeries, often dealt with intense depression, while struggling with a negative image of my body; all while living below the poverty line and learning a new language in a foreign country.
At the age of 18, my world turned upside down again. I lost my beloved father to liver cancer. I was devastated; I thought my life was over. I didn’t know if I had the strength to continue living.
I became an orphan and an undocumented immigrant.
“Despite all the pain, I did not give up.”
I knew that my father had sacrificed everything so I could exist, so I could live and fulfill my dreams and passions. With full force and determination, I pushed forward. I attained my bachelor’s degree in Social Work from University of California, Berkeley and my master’s degree in Social Work, with an emphasis in Community Mental Health from California State University, East Bay. I am now living my purpose by being of service to low-income families and individuals who have experienced histories of trauma and loss.
Together we can…
Everything I’ve went through strengthens and molds my mindset to not only survive, but to fight like a warrior for my goals and dreams. Whether you are feeling unmotivated, hopeless, or stuck, I am here to let you know you do not have to do it alone. I believe that together we can assess those past traumas and present obstacles, and most importantly, identify what makes you feel most alive and empowered on your way to living a life full of joy, purpose, and meaning. Together, we’ll learn to help you thrive.
Photo by: Anthony “Mogli” Maureal