Rising Above: A Survivor’s Journey

A deeply personal disclosure about my biological history, which continues to inflict emotional pain upon me.

I will forever be thankful to my birth mother for being a hero and rescuing me from the difficult situation we were in, by bringing us to Poland. Although she has passed away, I believe she watches over me from heaven, and I hope she’s proud of who I am and who I aspire to be.

This Facebook post by my (adoptive) dad, along with the poem I’ve written below it, reveals parts of me that I usually keep hidden. I hope I haven’t made a mistake in sharing this openly, as it exposes a vulnerable side of me.

Thank you to my brothers and (adoptive) dad for reminding me each day that not all men are evil.

“Rising Above: A Survivor’s Journey”

I was a child, small and frail,
Innocent and pure, but to no avail.
Abuse found me, a cruel, dark hand,
Stealing my childhood, a desolate land.

The scars I carry, unseen by all,
Are wounds that run deep, a lifelong thrall.
Bruises may fade, but the pain remains,
Haunted by memories, enduring stains.

I tried to hide, I tried to cope,
A little heart devoid of hope.
But in the silence, I found my voice,
A whisper at first, then a resolute choice.

I rose from the ashes, a survivor’s might,
Fought back against the endless night.
With inner strength and resilient grace,
I reclaimed my spirit, embraced my space.

I learned to heal, to forgive, to grow,
To break the chains, to let it go.
I found solace in the arms of love,
A newfound family, sent from above.

I am a warrior, battle-scarred,
But I’ve risen above, standing guard.
For every child who suffered too,
I raise my voice, I fight for you.

So let us rise, survivors strong,
Together we stand, a resilient throng.
For we are warriors, with scars and pride,
A beacon of hope, standing side by side.

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Katarzyna Dovganyuk-Krym

An aspiring poet with a passion for self-expression, I am somewhat Belarusian and wholly Polish. I enjoy spending my time writing and drawing, and other creative endeavors. Despite daily struggles with non-24, ME/CFS, and SPCD, I persevere in pursuing my interests and goals.

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