Kenzie's Story: Stronger Together

I am a Beautiful Disaster because of my past addiction, homelessness, and the life I have lived. My childhood was not always easy!

I've been through a roller coaster of tribulations. I didn't have the greatest childhood. I ran away from home at 12 years old. We were considered poor and moved a lot until I was 7 years old. My parents (dad and stepmom) didn't get along at times, and my dad was angry a lot which made it rough to live at home. I had to grow up quickly due to an abusive home life. Ended up getting into alcohol and was put into treatment at age 13.  I went to live with my mom once I got out of treatment at age 14 but I was in an abusive relationship with a man I thought was my everything. He cheated on me all the time, hit me, and had me thinking it was okay. Finally, at 17 when I became homeless with him, I decided to get away when he went to jail. I was able to escape but I was still homeless so I went off and traveled a bit to Washington. Hitchhiked and took city buses to get around. Then went back to Portland and got into a really bad addiction at age 19. Went through an abundance of bad things over 8 years of that. Just constantly seeking drugs and getting into trouble being arrested and going to jail. I met my husband during that time and if it wasn't for us deciding to get clean together, I would still be homeless and in active addiction. 

My husband and I decided to get out together. We wanted to be together, and if we stayed, we would not be together anymore. He is also a beautiful disaster, my beautiful disaster! We live to tell OUR Beautiful Disaster story! 

Our life now is a blessing. Especially since I found my voice with beautiful disaster! I have a great job and a roof over my head. I have a wonderful husband and we strive together every day! Stronger together, as they say!

Beautiful Disaster speaks to my soul. Gives me the power to be proud of the woman I have become. It lets me know I am not alone and I can be strong and beautiful in my own skin!

My favorite item from BD is "A queen turns her pain into power!" My first sweater I bought from BD. It empowered me! It showed me that even a queen has pain. And my newest piece is the Phoenix yoga pants! Because I too rose from the ashes of my addiction!