My name is Brooke and I have been a fan of Criss Angel ever since I was just a little kid. I can remember watching him and being lost in his magic and illusions. I didn't fully understand his "movement" until I matured and came face-to-face with the reality of all I had been through, though.
I don't normally feel comfortable with sharing my story first thing, but I think I am able to do it here.
Between the ages of 5 until 10 I was sexually abused. I had told someone, but was only laughed at and told it was "normal."
From 3 years old until I was 11 and a half, I was beaten everyday by my guardian. I have missing teeth and fibromyalgia, back/neck problems, migraines, and TMJ caused by the abuse.
The abuse had finally stopped the day my father passed away on March 22, 2008. I moved in with my mother who had Hepititus A, B, and C due to a tragic car accident at 14 years old. She was also depressed from her own traumatic background, causing her to become a severe drug addict and alcoholic.
At 13 I was sexually assaulted again. This time I testified and he is now in prison, thankfully.
About 6-8 months before my fifteenth birthday, my brother and I were taken away from my mother and placed in Foster Care. My grandfather, on my father's side, was granted custody. My brother and I were moved hours apart from one another. I was stuck living with my boyfriend's mother and his siblings, whom treated me terribly, for quite awhile.
As months passed my mother's addictions became worse and she passed away suddenly two weeks before my birthday on September 20, 2011.
A few months after her death, I was able to move back in with my grandfather, even though it ended with his girlfriend of 13 years despising me for reasons unknown.
Less than a month ago my great grandfather passed away.
About 2-3 weeks ago I found out that my grandmother on my mother's side has Cancer again and she may die in 2-3 months. Along with this my grandfather, on my mother's side, is ready to meet his maker as his Parkinsis disease slowly takes his life.
And to add onto this list of tragedies, I have been bullied my entire life because of my weight and any imperfections I may have. I also live with DDD, Fibromyalgia, migraines, TMJ, PTSD, anxiety, anger issues, insomnia, etc.
Now, the background of myself that I explained is not everything that has happened, but the main points. It is also NOT, and I repeat NOT, a way for me to get sympathy. I have explained my life story above because I wanted people, especially those who put Criss and his Loyals down, to know how much of an impact Criss has put on my life. After my mother had passed, I hit rock bottom. I could feel my sanity withering away, and with everything else going on, I was ready to lie down and give up. I was not interested in life anymore. One day, as I laid in bed at 4 in the morning trying to figure out what to do, I went to Netflix and came across "MINDFREAK" and memories flashed across my mind. I am so glad that I clicked on that "play" button and saw how many others Criss Angel has helped throughout the years so that I too could believe and help make myself a better person not only physically, but mentally.
Thank you, Criss. Thank you, Loyals. And thank you to anyone who took the time to read this whole damn thing!
P.S. If you want to get to know ME and who I am, please click on another blog so I can help show myself without all the sad, depressing stuff in my life.