Help a Teenage Black Girl Overcome Abuse and Injury

Hi, I am a teenage Black girl fleeing years of abuse and mistreatment. I turned 18 over a week ago. I also have a deaf, disabled brother who is currently homeless after years of mistreatment and financial coercion by our mother. All my life has been an arduous battle for both him and me at home.

TW: Graphic Images

On January 15th, I was viciously attacked with a knife by my mother. This was a disabling assault that resulted in tissue and nerve damage, requiring an ER visit for seven stitches. This happened after years of suffering psychological and physical abuse at the hands of someone meant to protect me. This attack was spurred by my desire to help my brother out of homelessness, which enraged my mother. After the ER visit, my mother took my phone from me and left me without a voice—intentionally trying to silence, control, and manipulate me.

Currently, my living situation is tenuous. I rely on school housing, but during breaks, I have no secure or permanent place to live. Without the help of a few good people in my life, I honestly don't know where I would be right now.

As of now, I do not have function in my pointer and middle finger on my left hand, disabling me and making tasks that used to be easy and daily, extremely challenging. This will be an uphill battle when I return to university and continue my studies. It is highly probable that the tendons were wounded or irritated during the attack. Thankfully, it was my left hand instead of my right. I am now raising funds to buy myself a new phone, pay for current and future medical fees, legal fees, continue helping my brother out, among other important things.

Thank you.