When I came to Boomerang I was depressed and was afraid to talk about my problems, so I put on a fake smile and fake act for everyone who expected it out of me. I was in the middle of a custody battle and had just gotten out of an abusive home. My adopted mom's son would hit me, leave bruises, and hang me out of my two-story window by my feet. His mom restricted my food and treated me like an outsider - the ugly duckling of their family. Boomerang helped because they listened. They understood me, and helped me know it wasn't my fault. At the 30-day post-Boomerang Celebration Event, in spite of my stage fright, I got up in front of the room and read one of my poems.