*Trigger warning. Shantells talks in detail about her domestic abuse.

Shantell grew up in Idaho Falls, Idaho, facing tough times with her brother while their mom battled alcoholism, often disappearing for weeks at a time. From a young age, Shantell learned to fend for herself, even taking on tasks like finding or steeling food and changing diapers as a toddler.

Life took a twist when Shantell's dad returned, but she had to set boundaries with him. Seeking stability, she and her brother stayed with their grandma for a while, which she remembers fondly.

Teenage years brought more challenges. Shantell became a mom at 16 and again at 19, but lost custody of her kids during a divorce. To cope, she turned to meth. Then, she moved to Oregon and later settled in Seattle, where she found herself stuck in an abusive relationship for three tough years.

Now, she's living in a tent, hoping to move to another tiny home with her dog Bear and her boyfriend. Despite it all, Shantell keeps pushing forward, holding onto hope for better days ahead. She is a true survivor who has an optimistic look on life.

This is part of her story.

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