Hi, my name is Shea.

I’m asking for help after surviving a prolonged period of abuse that happened while I was out of the country. I was taken, held against my will, and subjected to ongoing violence for about two weeks.

I’m still dealing with the physical and psychological impact, and I can’t recover from this alone.If you’re reading this, thank you.I don’t take your time or attention or support for granted.

I’m asking for help after surviving a prolonged period of abuse that happened while I was out of the country. I was taken, held against my will, and subjected to ongoing violence for about two weeks. I was forced to appear and sound “okay” to friends and family, by forcing me to send voice clips, texts, or calls.

For fourteen days, I was not free to leave. My phone and access to the outside world were taken. I was monitored constantly—every movement, every interaction. I had to ask permission to do basic things like drink water, use the bathroom, or stand up - and all those actions were monitored.

I was physically assaulted repeatedly—hit, suffocated, dragged, lashed, burned, stabbed, and injured in ways that are still healing. I was left with severe head trauma, fractured tailbone and spine, hematomas on arms and legs, and bleeding and bruising behind my eye that has left permanent damage to my vision.I was forced to stay awake, controlled, and watched, kept in a constant state of fear and exhaustion.

I was also sexually assaulted and subjected to ongoing psychological abuse. I was threatened, degraded, and made to feel like my safety and my life were conditional constantly.

I was told repeatedly that I would not make it out, that my life would be taken, that I would be sold, or made to disappear. I was told that even if I left, I could be found again. At the same time, I was degraded constantly. I was forced to repeat things disgusting about myself that were not true. I was told I deserved what was happening. I was told that surviving cancer in my life meant nothing, and that everything about me—my body, my character, my past—was something to be used against me.

Even though I am no longer in that situation, the impact is still ongoing.

Since then, I’ve been dealing with:

There are moments where my body reacts before I can think, there are moments where I feel like I’m back in that environment, even when I’m not.

Things that used to be simple now take effort, planning, or feel impossible some days.

I am trying to rebuild, and I am doing everything I can to move forward.

I’m raising funds to help cover:

I am trying to rebuild some level of stability, but the reality is that recovery from something like this is not quick, and it is not something I can manage alone right now.

If you’re reading this, I want you to know I’m genuinely grateful for your time and attention. Even reading this matters more than you know.

Asking for help like this is difficult for me, but if you are able to donate or share, it directly supports my ability to stabilize and move forward.

Thank you.