Kidnapped at the age of 6 years old by her mother, LaShanda’s life had a rough start. Many around her were struggling with mental health issues, substances, and of course, the toxic environment of Jehovah’s Witnesses eventually came into play as she got older. She felt different for issues due to race, the circumstances of her life, and eventually joined a group that gave her a sense of belonging for a time while all the while trying to isolate her even more.
The song chosen by LaShanda to represent her story is Alive by Sia.
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This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app or on YouTube. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah’s Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment.
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Music by Fair Voyeur entitled “No Hell Yet”.
Lashanda I am so riveted by your story! I think we need to talk more about race and the Jehovah’s Witnesses. As a mixed chick myself – it was a huge part of my story and it was refreshing to hear yours.
Keep in touch – Natasha Sampson-Williams – Fellow Shunned Gal
Hi Nastasha I’d be happy to chat with you if you are in the Shunned group send me a pm. If not we can arrange another way.
LaShanda,
I just listened to your story and I want you to know that I am proud of and inspired by your journey. I have been out of “the organization” for over 30 years but have only in recent years begun to process what happened to my family and me.
I love that you got a tattoo of a phoenix. I wholeheartedly agree with what you said about how our change as ex-JWs is constant. The phoenix is also my personal symbol of change as I continue to rise from the ashes of my former life. As a matter of fact, when I lived in China a few years ago, the Chinese name given to me was Phoenix. 😀
Thank you for sharing your story. You are a beautiful person and I wish you the very best in life. xoxo
Processing our pasts is a journey. Telling my story was the push i needed in get to the next phase of existence. It was my last moment before turning to ash. Im in my rebirth and I wish you growth,peace and acceptance in yours.
Processing our pasts is a journey. Telling my story was the push i needed in get to the next phase of existence. It was my last moment before turning to ash. Im in my rebirth and I wish you growth,peace and acceptance in yours.
I loved your story a lot.
Thank you for the courage and strength in sharing your most personal moments and experiences with us. Thank yous to the host too, for the patience.