Tonight's special guest is Kyler Lardo from Murrysville, Pennsylvania. He will be telling us his story for the first time and has CPTSD, Bipolar 1, Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, OCD, social anxiety, and body dysmorphia. "I experienced physical abuse at home(s) from 4-11," he reports. "Mom was mentally ill, very paranoid and didn't like to leave the house. He would dissociate and become violent, punch on me and one of my dogs, then not remember what happened. He still hasn't recovered memories." Kyler continues, "Mom's boyfriend came into the picture at 8. He put hands on my mom, hit my low-functioning autistic brother, choked me out, threw me down steps, onto concrete, pinned me down with his knees on my chest so I couldn't breathe. He'd tell me I was good for nothing and tell my mom to “get rid” of me and my brother." It wasn't too long before he was institutionalized, being sent from placement to placement from 12 to 18, and finally landing in a reasonably good situation in the end. But, she says, "The entire time I was cut off from any family except my toxic father and stepmother. I rarely was allowed to speak to them or see them, even when therapists offered/recommended reconciliation." At this point things are better. "I' m 18 now," he says, "and I am studying social work and psychology, maybe nursing soon. I want to be a helping person for other kids that need me." Kyler has suffered from child abuse all his life, and in just about every way. We're certain he can do a lot of good helping young survivors.

-- much more to come --