When parents impose their own unfulfilled dreams and expectations on their children rather than supporting their authentic interests and talents, it can lead to low self-esteem, mental health struggles, and a loss of personal identity. Children who feel unheard and unsupported in their own lives may develop depression, self-harm behaviors, and struggle to form healthy relationships. Parents should focus on loving and supporting their children as individuals, allowing them to discover their own strengths and pursue paths that bring them genuine fulfillment, rather than trying to live out their own aspirations through their children.
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EOD LIVE - Advice To Parents - 19Jul26
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>> Hello, Trinidad Tobago. Hello world.
Welcome to Ian Dependency right here on I95.5 FM live on the dependency Facebook page when it decides to work and YouTube channel. That one works pretty well so far. And we thank you all very much for joining us. We on this nice cool morning here in Port of Spain. We don't know what the weather is like in your part of the world, but we are here as usual to bring you another lesson.
This one for parents.
How many of you remember growing up especially with old school parents and their teachings were passed on from generation to generation and a lot of things were missed about their children.
Remember those times when we had parents who insisted that we should aspire to be doctors and lawyers and um especially that was the first two things on their list doctors and lawyers you know that and [music] take example from your cousin or your neighbor child or how look how well they're doing and all you studying is to play sport and and and run down drum and music and you know we we've we've heard it right you've heard it um it has happened And um I've always said, you know, the the whip that my mom used or that belt for us to beat book, I wish the same thing had applied for me to be a sportsman or a musician because you see how that going today. You know we have sportsmen around the world who are making millions.
>> Looking for reliable professional eye with G and Natasha to do it and they never thought about anything else and sometimes they don't even notice the pain. Even though they providers they still miss a lot. This morning we have Susan in studio with us who's going to take us on that journey and tell us about her start and also in studio we have Beverly who's no stranger to any penency. Miss Beverly Morton as you know she's the director of Serenity Place Empowerment Center for Women.
And of course, we'll hear from Beverly.
Um, especially if you have a loved one now struggling with substance abuse. Um, Beverly can help you with that as well. Um, I hope I hope those of you online are with us and you managing to see us. But this is an important lesson this morning for you and we hope that it can help you learn something about your child or something that you miss. So Beverly is here, Suzanne is here, and we are ready to start this lesson today.
Susan, good morning to you and welcome to Independency.
>> Good morning. Hi, my name is Susan. Good morning, Trinidad. Good morning to the world. I thank you for the opportunity.
It's my first time doing something like this and are grateful to be able to share my story and hopefully could encourage others out there to share their stories as well.
>> Yes. Um as we say here, every life is a biography.
>> And no matter once you born that's when your bio starts.
>> Yes.
>> And as you go from day to day, everyone has a story to tell, >> you know. And um so yours is is one that can can help. Uh and of course Beverly is right here. Have no fear watching your back.
>> So as usual, you know, she's a very very excellent guardian.
>> Yes.
>> Been taking care of women for decades and you know we we continue to support the work that they do.
>> Yes.
>> So Suzanne, tell us about your beginning, you know, family, >> brothers, sisters, mother, father. How how did that start for you?
>> So again, my name is Suzanne. I am 26 years old. I was born in Augustus Long Hospital. For the first four to five years of my life, I stayed in Santa Flora. That's where my grandmother lives. And after that, my father took me to live in Point. So most of my life, I lived in Point. mom, my dad, me, and my grandmother when she was alive at the time. Suburban neighborhood.
Um, quiet childhood. I would also called it weird as well or strange. Why I say that? For me, as a child, when it came to expressing myself, it wasn't an easy thing. It was very hard for me to make friends, very hard for me to socialize.
I was always boxed up when it came to my emotions. It was very very hard for me to be confident or be brave or speak out. I was always very very timid. That was just a thing with me ever since I knew myself since I was small. Very closed up, very shy. [music] Um the most that I would be able to be open is if it is when I'm with my cousins or my grandparents. Well, of course, relatives and people that I know, but regardless, it was still very hard for me to fit in then. I always felt like a a black sheep, if that makes sense. It was very hard for me to fit in when I would be in school. As I say, it was hard for me [music] to make friends. I always felt like a outcast. And then depression and low self-esteem was a huge part of my childhood. I remember by the time I was five thinking to myself like you know like why alive like I so ugly like why I here feel like I'm not good enough like from since from such a tender age then I had those disturbing thoughts in my mind which thinking back now is like wow that is >> it real disturbing it crazy and to know that it have a lot of other people out there who going through those same things as well.
>> Yeah. But Suzanne, you having grown up in a a two parent household, middle-ass household, a situation that most people [music] would think is fortunate.
>> Yes.
>> A stable environment for for you know a family to grow.
>> So you said a little bit about it first at first, but take us inside of that that home and describe to us what the everyday emotional experience would have felt like.
>> Mhm. Okay. So in regards to my parents, I mean they showed that physical sense of love and support.
>> Again, the physical means, you know, pay the bills, make sure I go to school. Um, one thing with them, especially when it came to image and standard was education, >> right?
>> So, and especially with my mom, my mom was very very strict on education because with her background, that's how she grew up. from what she had told me in regards to that too when it came to education that is how she was able to get love from her father especially because she didn't have the best relationship with both of her parents but when she did well in school she was able to gravitate towards her dad so I feel like when it came to that now she held on to education as a sense of >> and not just education as in being in school but you have to excel >> yes and it must the the standard of of excelling. So, you must make the highest grades.
>> Um, for her, she was always about science. Like, she would tell me, "Yes, you know, like, you know, you could be whatever you want to be and stuff, but like I know it wasn't the truth because the the premise she was coming from underhandedly, it was that it must be science and it must be the highest grades because that is who she was. She was always a a overachiever. And with me growing up now and just not having that high sense of self-esteem, I started to think, well, all right, you know, to make my parents happy, um, let me try to, you know, excel in education and pursue science. And for me, I used to at that time look up to my mom and a way where like, okay, wow, you know, she she doing so good for herself. And one thing with that too is very easy to look on the external when it come to people. You know they look successful or yes they're successful but if you don't have that peace or that sense of love for yourself >> your world technically falling apart but in the inner sense of my mind I was just seeing that physical life as okay well you have that and you'll be good. Yeah.
>> So for me when it came to as I said yes they showed that sense of love but it always was still more physical like yes they would still say I love you and be supportive in that way but that was the underhanded intentions. It must be towards science and making the highest grades. Um but did you manage to achieve that even despite um despite the the admonition that if you didn't what was the what was the alternative if you did not succeed um in your schooling >> what what was the consequence of that >> when you say consequence like what would have like >> what would have happened yeah what would they have >> telling the honest truth >> to to answer from in terms of like a plan >> at that time I honestly had no plan because of how I looked at the whole science thing as it the mindset I had then was like okay I had to be at one point I wanted to be a pediatrician >> then from then well I ended up um pursuing MLT that was when I went to um university in 2019 >> what's MLT >> a medical laboratory technician >> okay yeah so like when it is um you have the hospitals and patients come in and you have to take samples and blood work.
They do all the work and submit the results to >> Yeah. Um, >> in terms of a backup plan, I really had no backup plan because I felt like that was it in terms of of consequence in regards to my parents.
>> Um, and and when you say you mean like in terms of if I didn't achieve the highest grades or if if >> Yeah. Yeah. Was there a punishment or was there, you know, any kind of >> There wasn't, it wasn't like they would beat me or anything and I'd never experienced that, but true face expression and body language >> and with with certain statements too, you would see and feel the disappointment. So like with me for example, I was always >> slower in math. Maths was not my strong suit and I used to have panic attacks to do my maths exam because if it is I didn't get a high grade I know mommy going to be vexed with me and when she get vexed with me I going and feel sad because I going and feel like I let down >> and then my dad too at one point in time especially when it came to a form tree he was real real strict it was like she's soul split in half and part just went in he and then he became mommy when it come to that strictness Um, so it wasn't that there was verbally abusive or physically abusive, but just that disappointment like you know like should I do better or >> you know like it had to be this grade or what going on here? But she used to give me panic attacks when it came to me not making that standard of marks grades especially when it came to math something about that maths. Now let me before you go um >> you said something there that >> um you said made my parents happy.
>> Now did you did their parent ever at any time sit down and ask what would you like to do with your life if you know we want you to become this this color this nerd but >> what would you like to do really did that >> ever have that conversation or did they recognize your abilities and your skills that or things that >> were of interest to you? you know, >> because I mean people, you know, um if you're just joining us, we speaking about her life >> and um because you went on to self harm, we'll talk about that later. And >> um now that I'm looking at your hands, I realize what you told me >> and um and then you ended up homeless for a while and sleeping in the hospital and so it it of course it it triggered a lot of things cause a domino effect. But again, going back to my question, did you did they ever try to ask you would you like to do this or you interested in something else?
>> Um, again like how Natasha was was asking if it is they ever like take the time to recognize other talents and skills that I had that wasn't a thing.
>> Have they asked me? Yes. But it it [music] it wasn't really genuine. And it's like, okay, I'll ask, but we really still want you to do this, >> if you understand what I mean.
>> You know, so it's like putting on the the persona of, "Okay, let's look interested, but we really want you to do this, you know." [laughter] >> So, but what were your interests outside of what what your parents were telling you to do? What what did you enjoy doing?
>> What did I enjoy doing? Listening to music, to be honest. listening to music >> in terms of of of skill um because you spoke about being involved in sports and all of these things. So, >> right, >> I was involved in swimming at one point.
I was not good at it. I'll be very honest. I was not good at it, especially when it came to the competitive level.
My goodness, I was not good at it. But I was still grateful for the experience. I did track at one point.
>> I wasn't too good at it either. I had my up moments but when it came to sports I don't feel like I excelled like I probably could have >> but I was still grateful for the experience but that too also took a shot at my confidence as well because >> now yeah I still felt like a failure at that time too you think if maybe you had your parents support >> for the sports because I mean I've had a similar experience in terms of you know being involved in sport as a teenager and looking in the in the in the crowd in the stands looking to see your parents and >> nobody's there.
>> So if you had the support um with your with swimming and and track you think you you may have gone on to to enjoy it more or to to excel in that field.
>> I mean when it came to the swimming parents used to show up. Yes. But because I was so bad at it I feel like I still would not have wanted to go on regardless.
>> Right. Right. When it came to the track, my mom never used to come, >> but my dad used to come at the time, >> okay?
>> Because he was a a track guy. So, >> okay.
>> Like he wanted me to and this was the next thing too that I want to add to that as well too. Now, I understand I mean I'm not a parent. So, I try to look at this what I'm going to speak about from two perspectives. Um I know sometimes parents may I using I using the word force loosely but force the children to do certain things because in the long run they could see >> where certain potential could arise and where they may pursue a certain um I guess career. M >> um but then by the same token too is something you have to be really careful about because you know you don't want to force things on your child where it's like you're controlling the life and you're not allowing them the opportunity to voice their opinion or or voice about how they feel and I know when it came to swimming well no okay for the swimming I could understand because I couldn't swim at all and I used to be balling on the place when my family would carry me to the beach so my parents put me in swimming so I learn to swim that I could understand, >> right? To be more confident in the water >> track. I was forced to do that. I used to play piano as well too.
>> I didn't even know I was going to play piano. All I know is daddy say I carrying you somewhere. And that was in January of 2009. And then we came to this place and I was like, "Daddy, which part is?" And he was like, "You're going to stop here." And I was like, "Okay, all right." I did I didn't even know about it. Um but yeah when it came to the track and the piano especially it was like you have to do this but you know it wasn't like a conversation where you allow the child to still feel open to and then even self it's not like if the parent explaining well you know I would like you to join this because as you see where you could they just throw you in and it's like >> okay this is part of the plan I didn't know that. So then now because of that although I had the experience of playing piano as well too eventually after a while I didn't I didn't um like it too much. I I could play the piano. I really could although I haven't played it in some years but because it wasn't a interest of mine per se or I felt forced to do it. And then that mixing in with the portion of not having the best self-esteem, not excelling in the sports, not making the standards with education is like, >> okay, whatever. I probably going to feel at this too. That's how I felt at the time. But looking back now, now that my confidence is a lot better and I have that ambition in me and I know that yes, I can do whatever I put my mind to. And being in the program as well too, I get to not only just >> um take out the baggage and you know the hurt and the pain and the things [music] that I would have went through, but I get to discover me at the same time.
Yeah, >> it me I discovered that I didn't even know I could do. I could sing. I didn't even know I could sing. And that still shock me. I could do crochet. I could do painting. I could draw. And these are things that I would have [music] bypassed as a child because I just didn't feel like I was good enough because all I saw was a dark cloud in front of my eyes, you know.
>> Well, what at what point?
If you're just joining us, you're listening to Annie Pendency and Suzanne is taking us, excuse me, [clears throat] on a journey through her life. And you know, so far you probably listening and saying, "So what's our problem?" You [laughter] know, and so we getting there.
>> We're getting there. We're getting there.
>> You know, it's it's it's a it's a buildup to what uh the lesson here is today. So, thank you for joining us. um those of you on uh YouTube channel and Facebook and our 995.5 record.
>> Right. So to just to to just move on a bit um at what point did you did you realize that the way that you felt about yourself, your your self-esteem was shaping the choices that you were making in your life and the situations that you found yourself in. Um, when it started, I'd say probably probably secondary school. Yeah, especially later secondary school. Um, I mean, of course, having low self-esteem would have already had an influence on my decisions from since before, but in my younger years, I never paid attention to it.
>> But definitely when I became more aware of it, yeah, I would say my late teens.
And when it is would have went on to start in university.
>> So, so you um you had parents who would you want food? Okay, here's the food.
But nobody want to know if you enjoy the food, if it tastes good, if you >> Right.
>> Right.
>> And if they do ask, it's still a kind of underlying something. It's like just ask, but it's just to look at.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Exactly.
>> Right. So um so you're just being ungrateful then because >> you know we these things and um >> you're not doing well but >> damned if you do and damned if you don't see [laughter] >> because the parents are expected to provide and I suppose as as a parent too as as you mentioned you know looking at it from from their perspective as well as a parent you know you're supposed to provide certain basic things >> and they have done that. So the least we could do is if you have the child, the least you could they could do is is be grateful as God said and and um try to excel in in what what we think is best for you.
>> So So were you were you allowed to have friends and have like a boyfriend, you know, in the startup, especially in secondary school, you know, you and this boy would walk home and you know, and was were you allowed to do that?
>> That was not a part of my storyline.
allowed to make friends? Yes. But because my self-esteem was so low and I did not like the way how I looked growing up, the idea of having a boyfriend to me was like a nightmare personally. Like I would look at classmates or look at my friends in school and you know they have the boyfriend but they do what their parents [music] to know and then it have some of them their parents know and I used to be like how how [laughter] I I do think I have the courage to do something like that. knowing that if my parents were to find out, I would surely get a cottail or somebody probably might try to hang me. I know my dad especially with a trip off like I can't imagine myself having like a big secret like that. No, but then as I say how >> they didn't sit you down on your mom especially and tell you about the you know they say the birds and the bees discuss that >> nothing. So you had to was trial and error with you most well you never had a boyfriend.
>> I never had a boyfriend >> in your life.
>> Yeah. And >> so lucky for them I I never decided to go and end up >> you know. But what did you see of of parents?
>> This is interesting.
>> No I go in there I get 26. How old are you?
>> 26.
>> Right. And never had a boyfriend.
>> Nope. There's the way how I grew up was not like the average young person because by the time children is 13 and 14 years they have a boyfriend. Some people end up losing the virginity.
That's a normal thing with culture and with people and but for me that was never me. I was never interested in it either. For me it was just trying to focus on education being isolated. The one two friends that I make I hang out with them and I have them. So what did you witness or experience in terms of your parents' relationship or or other older relatives who were in relationships? What did you see >> um between your parents that that would make you think, "Oh, this is something that I could answer at some point."
>> I would answer that very honestly.
>> Yeah.
>> I find my parents relationship was real weird. Real real weird.
>> How so? real weird because like they would appear normal or loving together but I knew that they didn't have love for each other then to put it simply they really didn't have that they didn't used to get along um from what I witnessed with my dad he had some I mean my mom have controlling ways too but I knew that my dad had controlling ways with my mom so I noticed that as well too and Then it had um extrammarital affairs outside of that too. And >> with him >> with with him >> I I think with Yeah, with her too with with both parties >> but um >> they would they together they would look happy but I knew that they were not happy.
>> Um >> so did you ever see any >> um tender moments with them?
>> You know like >> like loving moments?
>> Yeah. You know, like mommy kissing daddy and you pass by the bedroom, it lock and you hear noise inside.
>> I never heard that. Thank God. I never heard that. Thank [laughter] God.
That would have traumatized further.
Thank God. [laughter] Um to see them smiling and you know being loveydvey with each other. Yeah, I noticed that. But most times they would argue or fight. M >> nothing physical ever happened in front of me to say I ever saw my dad hit my mom or see my mom hit my dad. But they would have a lot of fights and I know that >> um he used to be real controlling with her from what I noticed. Like sometimes she would want to go out with friends and he would be like no she can't go you know like that kind of thing. Yeah.
>> Yeah. It was a real weird them wasn't a good match. Uh [laughter] them wasn't a good match. So, so >> I do.
>> So, that would explain the reason why you were reluctant to to try and find um or have an example of what a loving relationship looks like.
>> And then more more and I am not knocking on cuz I know it have it have um couples out there where one partner a little younger and the other partner will be a little older and that is beautiful and fine. I don't have a problem with that.
once of course is to consent an adult.
Yes.
>> But you know sometimes >> um like okay with my mom she was she was real young when she met my dad. Like even my grandmother find it was real weird at the time. I find it was kind of weird too. But she was to like a teen and my dad was like well into his 40s.
No 40s. So I was like, >> "Oh, >> what [laughter] >> like is she young enough to be a grand?"
Well, not your granddaughter, but your child. Yeah. For me growing up, I find personally it was weird. So then cuz you know how sometimes um children just be excited to hear about how the parents meet and whatnot.
>> For me, it was it was just weird.
>> Predatory, not weird.
>> It Thank you. Yes. Yes, it does. It does. So, so, so, so what you're saying that he probably was a controlling person to the point because I mean asking to go out a wife nor normally a wife would say, >> um, look, I'm going out with the girls this this weekend, right? Just letting you know and >> Yeah.
>> And he will tell her no.
>> Yeah. Not all the time, but sometimes.
Yeah.
>> Okay. So, >> yeah. And then he was a real arrogant kind of guy. So like with me and my dad a lot of the times where we used to fall out it was always what I say is and forget what you had to say because I write and I always write. So we used to have a tug on war with that a lot. That is what our fights used to be about mainly that him and his his arrogance.
>> If you're just joining us you're listening to Andepy and this is an interesting conversation here I must say and Beverly is trying to contain herself in the studio too as well. You'll hear from Beverly in a moment and say good morning to the Serenity Place family down there in Cochran in Point 14. But thank you all for keeping this this young lady safe in uh under the watch of Beverly. And we'll tell you this program is brought to you today. We have a lot of people to thank for it. But this is an interesting. You will hear more when we return right here on Independency.
Stay right there.
Today more than 11.6 million people are in prison around the world. Too often they go unseen and too often they are forgotten. But prisoners matter. Even when deprived of their liberty, they remain part of our societies and must not be deprived of their human dignity.
This principle is anchored in the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, better known as the Nelson Mandela rules. These rules were influenced by Mandela's own journey behind bars. After spending more than two decades in prison, Mandela showed the world that justice is strongest when it is marched with humanity. Today, the Nelson Mandela rules remain the universally recognized benchmark for [music] prison management and they are needed more now than ever because prison systems are under serious pressure. They are overcrowded, understaffed and underresourced and emerging challenges posed by organized crime, conflict and [music] climate related crisises are compounding the problem. The consequences of these pressures [music] are felt most acutely by prisoners but also by prison staff while making effective rehabilitation more difficult.
Importantly, this matters to all of us because what happens inside prisons [music] extends beyond prison walls.
Most people in prison will one day return to their communities. We therefore need prison [music] systems that protect dignity, reduce reoffending, and create real opportunities [music] for change.
As the custodian of the Mandela rules, the UNODC is working with countries to improve prison conditions, support rehabilitation, and promote alternatives to incarceration where appropriate. As we mark Nelson Mandela International Day, let us honor Madiva's legacy by translating the Nelson Mandela rules into tangible and positive change [music] for people, prisons, and communities everywhere for a safer and more dignified future for all.
Hello.
>> Hello. Mr. Dobson here from HMP London.
Uh, can I speak to Mr. James, please?
>> This is Mr. James speaking.
>> Thank you. Can you hold the line? I have a call coming through, sir.
>> Sure.
>> Hello, daddy.
>> Hello. Yes, Ryan. Daddy, I'm just calling to tell you that um locked up in the in in the UK for for drug trafficking. Oh, yeah. You lock up and you tell me I was going to go and I tell you about them boy I was lying with. Well, all right. Don't drop the soap. Carry on.
Eye on Dependency reality radio at its best every Sunday on I 95.5 FM. Don't miss it.
>> I dependency >> reality [music] radio at it.
>> Where every life is [singing] a biography.
>> She grew up in a two parent middleclass home. She had love around her and still [music] nobody saw her. Nobody heard her. That invisibility cost her everything. Dangerous relationships, self harm, a life without a home. This Sunday on Eye on Dependency, one young woman steps forward with a message every parent needs.
>> Boy in prison around the world too often.
>> I dependency. [music] I own dependency reality radio at its best >> where every life is a [singing] biography.
She grew up in a two parent middle class home. She had love around her and still [music] nobody saw her. Nobody heard her. That invisibility cost [music] her everything. Dangerous relationships, self harm, a life without a home. This Sunday on Eye on Dependency. One young woman steps forward [music] with a message every parent needs to hear right now.
>> My name [music] is Suzanne and this is my story.
>> Her story carries a warning and a call to action. See your children hear your children. Treat their gifts as the gifts they truly are. Because silence inside a home can echo for a lifetime. Tune in this Sunday at 10 a.m. on I95.5 FM or watch live on our Facebook page or [music] YouTube channel. A voice ignored is a life at risk. I on dependency. We don't just share [music] stories. We change lives.
Oh, not giving [music and singing] up just yet.
>> I am dependency.
>> Thank you for staying with us on this nice and cool Sunday morning. And we are in studio as usual.
Thanking you all for your love [clears throat] and commitment to this program. Like I said this, you know, a number of people came together to make sure that we came out this morning. So we want to thank Mr. Roger Harmon Smith when you all heard that name former chief justice acting chief justice of Trinan Tobago caring professional the lady from the network of endos don't call her name um sared Wilson Rex Fidel and of course we thank Margaret Miranda for sitting on that phone for hours and calling around to make sure that we continue our work. Let me just tell you something. It's it's really heartening that um you know the the love and care that we getting from people out there and who see the importance of what we're doing and insist that we must continue.
We thank you very much for that confidence. We really really appreciate it and we'll keep going as much as we can. So thank you all once again. So Suzanne, >> hi.
>> Yes. Um, so you're back with us and um, tell us now how did it escalate for you to make the decision that you had enough and you had to leave.
>> Right. So >> now remember you're an only child.
>> Mhm. Only child to my mom.
>> To your mom. Right.
>> Your dad had two other um, daughters.
>> And just to recap now, your father and mother, they they were there but they never paid attention.
>> Correct.
>> They were there but they never listened.
Correct.
>> And you of course growing up with low self-esteem, you are fortunate though because growing up with low self-esteem could, you know, get you in a lot of trouble to wanting to fit in >> and wanting to so I mean that this is admirable that because people would not believe why you when I when I first heard your story I thought okay this is another drug problem here with somebody getting himself involved in drugs but it's not that and this is what makes your case so unique >> you know so tell us what may you decide >> right so um my mother's side of family they have a standard as well too when it come to the family faith the family religion that we grew up around and it was is a African religion I didn't want to follow that religion anymore because I had realized it it it has nothing to do with Christ and it wasn't giving me any fulfillment and I realized it was carrying me down a a dark dark path. So I decided to change my fate and give my life to Christ and that when that happened especially that was a big upset for my mom because that is something that she was accustomed to as well. So besides the education, it had the family religion too when I was on my mother's side of family.
>> Um my dad he was already yeah he was already dead so he would not have known about me giving my life to Christ. But if he was alive at that time he would have disowned me because my father was a atheist. Anything to do with Christ or God don't tell him about that.
>> Really?
>> Yeah. I remember one time when I was younger as about five or six that's when my grandmother was still alive. Um I used to go to the Anglican church with her and it was father's days you know all the little children they going to bring the father and I begged my father to come to church with me and he insist he wasn't going because you know his church and god and I remember I was like hanging on to him and crying like daddy please come and my grandmother was like oh gosh just go and support the child you know and he insisted he wasn't going that's how much he was against church and god that's just who he was >> so he was against church But then your mom was involved in another religion.
>> Mhm.
>> And she wanted you to be part of that.
>> Yeah. And for a while I was a part of that because I was exposed to the religion from age 10 and age 10 to 23.
>> That was the time period that I was in it. But it's really really dark. And when it is, you know, the Lord allowed me to realize that this have nothing to do with him is not of God. And I realized for myself like you're not going anywhere as a person because noticing more relatives, more family members, they too weren't happy.
They too was were was still struggling.
You seeing that they're not happy. I know I wasn't happy and it was just a lot of darkness that was just adding to the confusion I had within my own self.
And so when I decided to give my life to Christ, she was real upset. She and my aunt was upset, my grandma was upset.
And then after that especially and then on top of that too I had made the decision that I wanted to of course live my own life because when I had started doing my degree it was to follow along in her footsteps science and you know cuz MLT is science >> so I had no backup plan. I was like okay I would just follow through do a degree and I would do it just to please her.
But I knew I wasn't happy because I was more or less just walking like a shadow behind her, thinking that, okay, if I do this, I could get her attention. Um, she I would make her happy then still regardless. But I wasn't happy. And when I decided to put my foot down with that and let her know, you know, >> this is not the life I want to live.
It's not the the spiritual aspect of my life that I want to live. And physically I'm not happy with the decision that I made the choices especially the career path. Yeah know is is pretty fine to degree but I'm not happy and to be honest I was only just doing this just to follow you which is wrong.
>> So whatever you were doing you was to please your mom and to get that approval from her >> which is wrong but yes that is exactly what I was doing and again me not having no confidence in myself not having no identity at all. I just put it all in her which was wrong. So when I decided I wanted to stand up on my own two feet and make a career change um I wanted to discover what other talents I had and I had plans of wanting to become an entrepreneur and well that section will come later down with the entrepreneurship and that together with leaving the family religion she was real upset and then she became really really abusive. Um, she was verbally abusive.
She used to use profound, well, I don't swear, so I would not say certain words on the show that she used to call me, >> but she was real abusive. Um, verbally, she had abused me physically as well, too. And in those moments, it was it was like a total switch. Total total switch because I was accustomed to seeing her one way like she was happy happy because you know I was following what she wanted me to do but the minute I decided to do something different then it's like you see a new set of colors >> right >> which was totally unexpected at the time I wasn't expecting her to be as verbally and physically abusive as she was and that continued to take a real real real toll on my mental health and it got to the point where I decided to leave. But um when my dad and well had cut off contact with my mom's side of family because they were upset that I like with my grand life to Christ.
>> Yeah. Right.
And um I had lost contact with my father's side of family because when he was sick and dying, it had conflict with my aunts and uncles and my mom in regards to my dad and things to do with you know settling certain things financially and that kind of Yeah.
>> So it had a whole riff with that. And then um I don't know if you know the saying when it is um somebody don't like somebody they're most likely not going to like the child by the same token. So it was it had some of that too when it came to me because I already didn't like my mom but I had nowhere to go at the time but I'd reached out to them and explained the situation and I was able to get through to staying by uncle staying by aunt just knocking from pillar to post. But um even with me being in their homes as well, like with me growing up again, depression, no ambition, low self-esteem.
>> Now, when when you decided to leave home, your mom >> Mhm.
>> Did Did she know when you left? You tell her you were leaving or you just packed up one day and when she went out and >> No, she knew that I um that I left.
>> She knew.
>> Yeah. But she didn't care to know about >> she would tried to stop you. No, she didn't care to know about where where I was going or she just didn't care.
>> So So wait, hold on. Mom, are leaving home? Okay, take care of yourself.
That's how it went.
>> Yeah, she just didn't care because she want It's like she wanted I guess cuz she wanted me out. It's like the the abuse was so terrible.
Well, it's like she wanted me is so well, but she wanted me out of the house. is like she became so um I don't know if what's the word is is re repel or repulsed.
>> Yeah. Because I no longer wanted to be a part of the family religion that she also then did wanted me there at the same time. So it's like >> you know this is your home but I don't want you here at the same time but while say here I'm going to just be a torn in your side at the same time. Now, yes, of course, at the same time, she would have liked for me to not make that decision so that she could have still have that control over me.
>> But, um, by the same token, I I'd put my foot down and I um I'd said I going to leave. I'm going to leave and have nothing you could do about it. I will find my way on my own. and she didn't she didn't care to know anything about where I would end up or where I going to go or >> did any of your relatives know that this was happening or anybody?
>> Um my father said a family yeah cuz I reached out to them and >> did they try to speak with her and >> a uncle? Yes. But he [snorts] was friending with her to to put it simply he was with us. So, so to say that you would have really cared to hear both sides of the story and he was going to take our side.
>> Just now, hold on. Just kind of Yeah.
Just now hold on. [laughter] Um, your uncle >> Yeah.
>> on that on your father's side, >> right, was in a relationship with your mom.
>> Yeah.
>> All right.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> So, you see where the complications and and and Jesus. And is the same uncle you were staying by?
>> No. No. No, that's our next uncle because [clears throat] my father said our family is big is was 14 of them. So he is plenty brothers and plenty sisters. So that's a different uncle, >> right? And and and you and did you did you speak to your mom about this or you didn't have you couldn't tell her anything about >> but you know they were in a relationship.
>> Yeah.
>> And possibly could have been before your father passed too.
>> Mhm.
>> All right. [laughter] Okay.
>> Hey.
>> Right. So, >> so, >> so you so you I don't understand why you never now. So, [laughter] you >> so you pack a bag and your mother said, "Okay, have a good life." And you walked out the door.
>> Well, not literally like that, but >> I know. Yeah. Yeah.
>> And you ended up by and um >> but um a day when she wasn't home was when like she had already knew, but a day when she wasn't home was when I I um packed up and went ahead and leave. So >> she come looking for you to tell you come back home?
>> No. No.
>> Her only child. She just >> Yeah.
>> Just let you walk.
>> Yeah.
>> And where did you go when you left the house? Where did you go?
>> It was by one of my uncles at first.
>> Um one of the main problems that had this and next part has come to as well with how I grew up. I grew up sheltered and my parents really didn't teach me much of anything. So that low self-esteem, then laziness, then not having no ambition, not being aware, not knowing my tail from my elbow, all that was just other complications that add to everything.
>> And so to put a long story short, well, you know, people have a people will tell you, yeah, you could come and stay by me, but you know, see, come live with me is two different things.
>> Absolutely. So then now all those things that I just mentioned now would have started to show itself in the home, >> me being lazy, me not because and I mean looking back now with me being different and not being lazy and being in that that mindset anymore. If it is just staying by somebody, of course you need to show interest, you know that you're there.
>> Exactly. And that was the thing with me.
I was so busy being caught up in my own trauma, my own stress b like at the same time somebody still chose >> um to allow me that that grace to stay by them. I still should at least >> be considerate and have that awareness to show that where I I want to contri it it can't just be by somebody and then they doing everything and you just there. Yes.
>> I mean although yes I was still working and stuff but still all those things would have been an issue in their home.
So that's where I where I could acknowledge where I was wrong as well too.
>> Um and so I end up again knocking from pillar to post by a uncle by a aunt.
>> Then the shoe and the gossip. Yeah. The shoe and the gossip came about and I knew well >> what were they were saying? What would what were the family members saying about you? You think >> what did what was their opinion of you and and and your future or >> your potential?
I know when my dad was sick to go back a little further to come to answering that question. Um because of how I was still pretty much supporting and stick up under my mom and then they had issues with my mom and because I believe my mom, you know, like took her side and know that that would have I don't know the full extent with the thing with my dad and the things they were trying to settle. That still is kind of a puzzle that I ever so often just try to piece together, but I know it's also the past and the past is the past. But um I know that they would not have liked me for it. I know with my siblings especially, they don't like me to be honest. They never really liked me. I guess probably because with daddy splitting up from their mom and then a whole new family siblings, right?
>> Yeah. They never they were always I mean smiley smiley and normal yes but they never really liked me. And it was the same thing with the family too from what I heard. Um the family this is what I heard the family more liked my >> sisters's mom a lot more than my mom. So when the divorce happened with my dad and my siblings's mom and then my mom came into the picture from what I heard the family wasn't too pleased with that and then me being the byproduct of that well >> you know so um in terms of well I know because of that they really would not have gravitated too much towards me but in the moment of having no place to stay >> you know I mean I still reached out to them because that was like my past desperation point.
>> Yeah.
>> Um but I mean I I don't know what it is that they may have thought in regards to my future. If it is they thought it would be bright or dark, I would know. But I know that's one thing that they would have had with me in regards to my mom because they didn't really >> like her too much.
>> Wow. Um I don't know if um if we could fast forward a little bit Yeah. to >> um the the situations that you found yourself in. First of all, the the domestic abuse. I know you said you you were living with a friend and then a male came into the household and there was some abuse around that and then the self harm that that episode of self harm >> um which obviously would have been very painful >> to be honest. Oh, I told let's go and talk about I told let's go and talk about the the pain in regards to the self harm because to be honest, you ever hear like when and I mean thinking back is crazy to me because I never thought that I would have ended up in these types of situations especially with the self harm and the homelessness >> and well the the um abusive situation that I was in because I say it was >> after I end up moving out from my relatives knocking pill and I was able to reach out to her. [snorts] Um, she was a longtime friend of mine. I was able to get back into contact with her, explaining my situation with my mom and everything, and she allowed me to come and stay by her. And things were fine at first, but then she told me um this friend of hers, he coming to stay and I was like, well, [music] okay, no problem. I had my own little room. M >> she had her own um room as well too and he would come at first he was cool he was normal he didn't show any weird signs or to say he was openly aggressive or anything but over time I realized like that was a boyfriend of hers but I also was thinking the back of my head well okay well if there's your boyfriend what you're so ashamed about then but then when he start when the mask fall off and he started to show this whole different side is then I realized well okay now I realize Why? She clearly didn't tell me that >> he he may have been a boyfriend or an ex that was just seeking a port for a storm.
>> Yeah. Yeah.
>> Um and and took advantage of that that situation.
>> Yeah.
>> And to go into depth with the abuse especially, he was verbally abusive, physically abusive, emotionally abusive towards her and towards me. And he would come and go ever so often. And then it got to the point where he was just staying there. And I remember thinking to myself, >> nobody put him out of field.
>> My goodness, this was not supposed to be part of the plan. It was not part of the plan. I was not looking forward to this at all. I mean, nobody does. Nobody would want that to happen to them, you know.
>> And what was her response to his abuse?
>> She would justif she would justify everything.
>> She would justify everything. And I'm I'm trying to have a conversation with her like no this not normal. This not normal. Look he lashing you and he lashing me and he cussing and he carrying on and sometimes used to deal with with drugs. So sometimes when he would come back there well at the time when when I would have called their home because that's where I was staying >> and sometimes he intoxicated sometimes he hide he throwing things he picking up things to hit [music] us with. remember at one point he pick up her grater and was like hitting her and then hitting me. It was it it was stress because I have scars on my body >> from from surviving those things and she too would have had scars on her body as well. Um, it had a lot of times where I had experienced getting beaten by him and then again I have nowhere else to go and I thinking to myself, well, all right, I don't want this to happen. But I just trying to stick it through because each time I telling myself, okay, um, eventually this will be over at some point. I was also in the midst of trying to switch jobs as well too.
>> And he was a well-known person. So sometimes when I would come home he would like brag about he's like I know you was XYZ place and I'm like how you know that and >> then he would brag and talk about you know he have links here and there and because he was a well-known person in the community now >> so the community was like his his his play field you know he was like the one in control >> um >> wow >> yeah punches slaps kick try to choke you or to make you pass out. I had experienced those things. It had times I'd visit the hospital too because of it. And of course having to now go to work and trying to cover that up because you know you don't want nobody to mind your business.
>> Um yeah, whether you're wearing the little makeup to try to, you know, mark.
>> Yeah. Yeah. And if in case anybody's wondering why any of these um abusive episodes were not reported, suffice it to say that most abuse like of this kind is not reported for fear of >> more retribution and for fear of the authorities not taking you seriously.
>> Yeah. Because if you report it and he gets pulled in when he come back home is more late.
>> It's worse. Correct. Correct. especially when he has connections.
>> Yes.
>> To powerful people, [clears throat] >> you know. Um >> and and and how did that I mean, >> you know, sometimes Natasha, you know, I would say, you know, you would meet people in different work spaces and they would be very curteous at times, >> but you really don't know. You have to give way because at home >> you don't know what's going on at home.
So that person would meet at a counter whether it's in the public service or private sector and they're very you know short and rough with you and and you like what is wrong with you? Why you talking not knowing that they could be experiencing something like this?
>> Absolutely.
>> And they trying to be normal and because they have to work.
>> Mhm.
And with me especially at that time again going back to the fact that I had no real confidence in myself already was depressed already dealing with coming out of the situation with my mom knowing what my family thought of me and then the situations with that too and then the verbal and the physical things I experienced in in at at the friend's home. All that now just it just sink me further and further to the point where I I felt suicidal.
>> I felt suicidal at times.
>> You sexually?
>> Yeah. It Yeah. At times he was sexually perversive as well with me where he would like grop me or touch me in a particular way and >> like I would try to fight him off and be like, you know, like leave me alone.
Leave him alone. I don't want to touch him. This is wrong. I don't want this.
And >> And he's in a relationship with the person you stay with. Yeah. And it had times like if it is I would like retaliate and try to push him off. He would try to choke me or choke me until I pass out and then I wake up, >> you know. So, but >> didn't this make you hate yourself >> at that time? Yeah. At that time, I really hated myself cuz as I said, I was suicidal. Um thankfully he never it never got to the point where he raped me. Thank God. But he has touched me inappropriately on several occasions.
And even when I told the friend at the time about it again, she would she it was like it would just go through one and come out the next. But because she was going to be in the same mindset, she is powerless.
>> Yeah. So I I had already realized that.
So I didn't I understood where she would have been because the same where I was scared, she was scared too.
>> Yeah. M you know >> now you thought about suicide but you didn't attempt to do it. Um but you harmed yourself.
>> Tell us how you did that.
>> Yeah. So there was a day where you know how sometimes people could have mental breakdowns.
>> Yes.
>> And at this point in time, it wasn't the first time I had a mental breakdown. It would have been my second time. The first time I had a mental breakdown was when my dad was dying and where it had the hospice care and was trying to take care of him and the whole mental exhaustion with that with the family and trying to take care of him and things with my mom and and where she have the conflict with them and >> a day I just had a mental breakdown. I was crying and then I started laughing and I had no idea what I was laughing for but I know I like I feel like I was going mad and at that moment that is exactly like it just happened. And I was just there alone thinking about everything like okay like from beginning again thinking back to with my mom being by the relatives jumping from here today all the the the different instances of of abuse and the attacks and stuff going on in my mind and then I just had a fullon mental breakdown. He was a person that um could have fixed things because I think he he used to be a mechanic at one point. He good with carpetry and stuff. So he had like a toolbox there in the home and I just picked up adrenaline. Adrenaline is like I was so disappointed in myself is like I was suicidal but I'm not going to do it but because I so disappointed in myself because I so angry with with Susan at the time. It's like I wanted Susan to feel pain.
>> Yeah. Like like a punishment kind of way. You know your mind could make you think some kind of weird things sometimes.
And I reached for a hammer, pounded this hand, but in the midst of still crying, I still having the mental breakdown. And by the time I came to because it was this hand and it was this hand, but in the midst of still like just screaming, screaming, but the adrenaline going.
>> Now, now I'm looking at your hands, right?
>> And you know the audience wouldn't be able to see it, but you took a hammer in your right hand. Mhm.
>> You put your hand on a table and you pound >> the ground is the ground. Yeah.
>> And you pounded your right hand, your left hand first.
>> Mhm. And then >> and then you had enough adrenaline even though your fingers were mangled.
>> You had enough adrenaline to hold the hammer in your left hand and do it to your right hand as well.
>> Yeah. And in that moment, I was not feeling any pain at all because the adrenaline was just going. I was having the mental breakdown. I was in so much pain.
I was just going going screaming and then now the friend she came in and then by the time I re it really real it was like it was possessed to put it simply that's how it felt like it didn't feel like me at all >> by the time I realized what really had happened and seeing like my fingers like blood just blood blood at the time and I like shaking and trembling because now I'm like oh my gosh what the hell I just do. And now I trying to cover up my hands without the front to see. But she end up coming in.
She like, "What the hell going on with you? Why you crying?" Then she like, "Oh my gosh, what happened to your hands? If he come home, don't let him see because you know we we go he going to trip off for that and I don't want to get no licks and wait is you're doing you're trying to put me in problems and it was worried about him."
>> Yeah. It was a whole argument from there and I just like started screaming. And I was like, I didn't want this to happen.
And you know, like, oh, like, you know, like it was so hard for me to be able to express myself in that moment because I was just like screaming. I was just like screaming, crying, but I'd let you know, like, I didn't want this to happen. I didn't ask for this, like, you know, like it.
>> So, so since you worried about him now, and you now you have to go to the hospital.
>> Yeah.
>> How did that work out?
>> So, Welter was there crying. Now he wasn't there. He wasn't there that that it was in the night. that night he didn't come back home >> at the time but I was I was there for some time and she had mentioned you know like your hands messed up you need to go to the hospital at the same time you know and I was like I was scared at first but even in the in in the midst there I started praying I started asking God to beg for forgiveness you know like I don't know what going on I hurt I depressed I sad starting to acknowledge really all of those things because that now come like a how to put it uh not low point is the word I want to use uh uh rock bottom >> right >> rock bottom that and the homelessness was like rock bottom for me is like all the pain and and the anger and the bitterness and the resentment and the unforgiveness I had all that time is I just take it out on self. So now I thinking about that and I thinking about okay I need to get to the hospital. How I going to explain this to them? People might think at first I was thinking people might think that I was crazy. I was kind of ashamed to explain to the doctors like what would they think? It was really really weird you know but I had to go to the hospital >> right before.
>> But for the benefit of of the listener and and apologies if this um this conversation is is triggering to you.
Some people who um self harm say that it allows them to disassociate.
>> Yeah.
>> Um separating the mind to doing it >> from feelings that are causing that anguish. Right. And this may be achieved by tricking the mind into believing that the present suffering being felt is caused by the self harm instead of the issues that you're facing before. So the physical pain is acts as a a distraction >> from the emotional pain.
>> If you're just joining us, you're listening to Annie Pependency, you only need, if you join late, you need to go back to the start of this program because we know some of you might be like, what am I listening to here? But you need to hear it from the beginning.
Um, we're going to take a quick break and when we return now, we're going to talk about her journey to the hospital and then what happened after because she ended up by Beverly. So, let's let's um I I hope some of you are identifying with what this young lady is speaking about here today. And if if you can spot it early in your home, deal with it because you can lose your child. Um your mom is still alive.
>> Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> Yeah, she's alive still.
>> All right. And um did she know you ended up in the hospital with this issue?
>> No, not to my knowing because I hadn't reached back. Well, she would have known after when I got back into contact with her and and that is when I explained the the homelessness part.
>> She is then she would have known I was in the hospital. But when it is I I went to the hospital [snorts] because where I was staying >> talk about that when you come back.
Let's go to this break.
>> Sorry. [laughter] >> We'll be right back.
[music] Hello, >> Grandma. It's Michael. I've got into trouble. I got arrested and I need a bit of help. But please don't tell Mom.
She'll only worry. The lawyer says I need $3,000 right now.
Today, scammers can use artificial intelligence to copy the voice of someone you love.
>> Michael, what was the name [music] of the dog we had when you were little?
>> A code word, a shared memory, something only the real person would know.
>> Scammers can steal voices, >> but they can't steal your memories.
With artificial intelligence tools like these, [music] they can pretend to be your bank, >> a family member, >> or an official institution, [music] and they use fear, urgency, or sympathy to make you react without [music] thinking. These scams are designed to pressure anyone at any age. If something feels wrong, [music] stop. Don't reply immediately. Check. Ask a question only the real person would know. Call back.
Contact your family member using a trusted number.
You're not alone. Talk to your family, your bank, your community. Sharing concerns helps everyone stay safer.
>> Hello. I'm out with some mates at the moment. Grandma, [music] is everything okay?
>> Scammers rely on fear and silence, but sharing what you know can protect you [music] and the people you love.
Remember, stop, check, protect.
Hello.
>> Hi, this is Sister Kent from HM London.
Can I speak to Miss Sheila, please?
>> This is Miss Sheila.
>> Hi. I've got an important call for you.
Please hold the line.
>> Mommy. It's Sherry.
>> Oh, God. Sherry, we looking for you all the time. 3 weeks now. Where you going?
>> Mommy, according to Talia, I get locked up. I had drugs in my luggage and I'm in England right now. It's >> Oh god. Sorry. What? What you do? You reach there. Oh god. Oh my god.
>> Oh god. Mommy, don't cry. Don't cry.
Don't cry. It'll be all right. Sorry.
I'm sorry.
>> I On dependency reality radio at its best. Every Sunday on I 95.5 FM. Don't miss it.
This is Eye on Independency with G and Natasha. Sundays from 10 a.m. on the most influential name in radio, I 95.5 FM.
[music] Thank you for staying with us. This is Eye on Dependency and we are live on I 95.5 FM. If you're just joining us, you missed a lot. Thank you to those of you who are joining us online on YouTube.
Thank you very much. Can we please get the likes up on that YouTube? We have 130 people watching on YouTube, but only 12 likes. Can we could do better than that?
>> And on Facebook as well, >> please get your likes up on that live stream. Yes.
>> Two things here before we go back in. I hope you all paid attention to that ad that was played a while ago. The first one.
>> You could play it again before.
>> Yes. Now families must get a code word or some type of password.
>> If somebody your son, you get a call whatever time and mom I'm arrested and I need money quick or somebody.
>> AI now can actually imitate someone's voice. Yep. And it sounds genuine and authentic and you will transfer money to that person >> and next thing you know when the person reach home you asking questions of how you could call me and call the person first or if you get a call like that.
Okay. So then what's the password and once they don't have so you family members have to arrange that among yourself.
>> Yes. Ask them a question that only they would know the answer.
>> Right. So when somebody calls you with that scam, ask them a question that only your child can answer. And once the person cannot do it, hang up, you know, just and then call your your child immediately or call your relative immediately. And of course, I got a call today too from we got a call from someone with a potential human trafficking issue.
>> And so right away, I knew that that was out of our league. So, I passed the person on to the counter trafficking unit. Remember people, if you know of or suspect human trafficking, you have a counter trafficking unit here in Trinidad and Tobago led by of course um director Dary Marshall. Yes, just call 18004CTU.
Please, if you suspect or cause that what I eventually ended up doing and I'm guessing that they took care of the issue. Um but someone called frantically looking for help for of their child and the CTu was there to intervene. So remember 1 800 4CTU >> 4288.
>> Call them and they will take care of these issues. And of course get a password for your family members, a code word, anything so that nobody could call you and trick you into handing over any valuables. All right. So, let's go back to Suzanne. And so, you're going to the hospital. Did the did the lady carry you, did your friend carry you to the hospital or you had to travel for yourself?
>> No, it was walking distance from the hospital. Yeah.
>> Okay.
>> So, I went, she um she did >> um San Fernando General Hospital.
>> All right.
>> She did help me pack some stuff. Um we went I obviously had to stay there obviously to get surgery on my hands. Um it was so bad that this finger here you notice it can't it will never be able to bend again because you know your fingers naturally have a soft tissue area on the top here allowing for it to bend.
>> So when they did the surgery I'd almost lost this finger actually.
>> Right.
>> So I um >> Wow. I forget the actual name of the wire. But to put it in simple terms is a wire they had to put. So I'd remain with deformities in one, two, three. Yeah, these four fingers, 40% of my fingers.
Um, but thankfully by the grace of God, as much as they will never look normal again, I could still function with them.
>> Right. Right. Right. Actually, to be honest, with the things that I'm doing now, I never even thought that I would have even be able to do the things that I could do now with these hands still.
So, thankfully, I still able to use them. Um, I was in the hospital for about 3 weeks at the time.
Whole time I was praying. Um, the friend, she did come back to visit. I had spoken at her. I was saying I wanted to get my things. She well obviously by at this point now he knew that I was in the hospital.
>> Um but thankfully he didn't show up or make a scene or anything because knowing how he is he's a do kind of person. But whole time I was still you know hoping and praying and you know that things would turn around and just asking God for that protection. I was real disappointed in myself especially because you know when it is we don't take direction from the father we put weel in problems you know he could tell us to go one way and of course in human nature we feel the need to go the next way or we allow we to be deceived or go down our wrong path and I was real disappointed in myself with that with that especially I know I was disappointed in myself I was real hard on myself with that. But um I prayed to him and you know uh forgive myself now for that especially and just for all what I would have done to myself all those situations would have allowed myself to to be in especially with being depressed and you know not being ambitious and not having a better esteem for myself to be somebody that I could be at that time. I'd held on to that especially for a really really long time. You know, if if it is I was ambitious, you know, I could have make it further if I didn't stick up on the mommy and daddy. I was like that for a long time. But I've come to the place where I forgive myself. Yes, Shenikica, I was I mean Suzanne, sorry, I was there. Shenikica is my middle name.
Sorry. Sometimes my family just call me my middle name, too. Um, yes, Susan, you know, you was there, but you're no longer there, you know. So, I learned to forgive myself.
>> So, how long you stayed in the hospital for >> three weeks?
>> Three weeks. And then >> weeks. Eventually, I was able to get my other things after I was able to get discharged.
>> No, but your two hands banded up, right?
Both hands.
>> Both hands. Yeah.
>> So, how were you performing normally normal daily tasks? No, at that time a friend she was helping me but whilst I was in the hospital I was there to recover because obviously I couldn't do anything at the time. So when my hands was able to get to a point where it could function because I started physiootherapy in the hospital.
>> Okay.
>> And then after that they discharge me >> right >> I was able to get the rest of my things because I'd made up my mind to go. I pray and ask about it. Ask God for that protection. That day the guy was not there. Thankfully, I was able to get my stuff. And where did you go?
>> I stayed at the hospital.
>> Not on the bed. Not in a wall.
>> No. You know, the the the entrance.
>> Uhhuh.
>> Yeah. I had stayed there. My friend, she was asking like, you know, well, where else you're going to go? I was like, I'll I will figure it out. I will figure it out.
>> But I'm not coming back by you.
>> Yeah. And so I went up there. I'd explain the situation to the security guards at the time because I didn't want them to think, well, who is this? You know, if you're sitting on there for a time, they will ask a question. So, I'd explain the situation to them.
>> Hi, my name is Suzanne. You know, this is the situation. I was so and so place.
Um, I was in the hospital. Thinking to thing. I'd explain everything to them and I have nowhere to go. I'd been released from the hospital. Now I'm here.
I'm trying to see if it is I could reach out to somebody or get information to get to a home or something to that effect. Is it okay if I could stay here for the time being? Thankfully, they said yes. They didn't run me out in any way or because to be honest, I was expecting they might just say, "Well, okay, but you could stay for a certain period of time because you know there can't stay at all."
>> Yeah, because you know there's not a place to stay. It's a rated area.
>> Yeah, because you can bring a TV eventually. [laughter] >> Exactly.
Exactly.
Exactly. So, how long did how long did you end up staying there?
>> I was there for 3 days.
>> Three days. And whole time, of course, I was begging people for money. I mean, in in the moment it >> begging.
>> You have to beg.
>> Yeah.
>> Um eventually it it it was normal at first in the sense it's like I know I need to get this. But eventually after a time it it started to feel embarrassing like oh gosh you know there's what I had to do like I really want to get out of this situation but I was asking around to people who was there at the time anybody know of any shelters any place well again my hands was to a point where I could use it so I had my phone I was trying to get get on to places that um through Facebook through Google any place that I could get I wasn't making any progress Yes. Um well, of course it have it have the canteen area on the side. So when I was able to get a little money, I would buy things from there and eat, >> go in the the um washroom area, sponge off, change a top, change my jeans, but I was there for 3 days.
>> Um and I wasn't able to get on to any shelter at the time. And even with the recommendations that people gave, I was either if I sent out a message on Facebook or anything, I wasn't getting any response. And I had decided because out of desperation to and and reaching like a block point, I wasn't making any progress. I'd reached out to one of my cousins on my dad's side of family and my mom and I'd explained to her where I was.
>> Yes.
>> Um what transpired. I didn't let her know that I was staying by my dad's side of family. But um I just give her the the brief nutshell of where I was, what had happened, and I am homeless at that time and I would like to be able to get into a shelter. She appeared, you know, shock at the time and she wanted to help and she did help.
Um she was able to get on to Serenity Place. I think it had a other place she was trying to get on to, but she didn't get through at the time.
>> So that's your mom. So she didn't say, "You'll come back to your home. This is your home. I'm your mother." She didn't say that.
>> No.
>> But >> are you kidding?
>> But and I mean, I knew that she wouldn't did that, but regardless, I knew if I was to go back, she would have eventually continued the abuse.
>> Yeah. And that's something I don't want.
And I mean she has her own life. She has her own place. But I need to stand on my own two feet. I have to figure out what is your mother. Yeah.
>> And she wasn't hearing from you for a while.
>> Yeah.
>> And you know like the phone call Sher um called her mother girl all this time we looking for you. Where you going? That that didn't happen. She just say look yeah okay I'll go find a place for you.
>> And >> but it still work out in my favor because I'm grateful and thankful. where my cousin she was the source of transport. So she and my mom lays together and my cousin she came and she got me.
>> When I came to Serenity Place where my mom came down same time with my cousin.
>> Um so not long after my cousin came with me. My mom came and when I initially saw her at first she looked terrible like she looked like she had like a lot of stress. Her face was sunken in. She looked like she was just going through it. So that's how she looked.
>> So which mean it didn't work out too well with the uncle?
>> Yeah. Clearly.
>> Okay. [laughter] >> Or just in life, you know. Just life.
>> Let's Let's talk to Beverly. Beverly Let's talk to Beverly for a minute.
Beverly, you got [laughter] I know you're trying your best to contain yourself while you're sitting here with us, but this what a story.
>> Is this a Is this a first for Serenity, please? Have you >> got this phone call? What?
>> [laughter] >> You need some water.
>> Oh Jesus. We could laugh about this now.
>> Morning everyone. Good morning all the listeners.
>> Morning.
>> Ah boy. Yeah. This Suzanne story is unique. It's unique. I mean we've had so many stories come to Serenity Place but this was a unique one >> especially with regards to the self harm.
>> You know we've had self harm but not to this depth.
>> Yeah. you know, not to this extent, you know. And when Suzanne came to us with her mom and her cousin, her mom really looked distraught and she was crying and she was, you know, where was my daughter? I was wanted to find my daughter for so long and you know she was concerned and she showed a lot of concern and worry in tears and the cousin just sat there and was just looking you know [laughter] and um I after the interview and stuff like that um Suzanne agreed to stay you know and um we took her and she's been with us she's done very well for herself so far. She she came in as very timid and lost and lonely, you know, but she has grown from strength to strength. She used the program to help her to be where she's she is today, you know. She used the tools of the program.
>> She listened, she followed simple instructions. She got involved in all aspects of the program, you know, and today she's at a better place. She's not fully there yet. She still has a lot to things to deal with, you know, but she has come a long way, you know, and this is in November 2024. She's been by me and she's still there, >> you know, and um she's pursuing her entrepreneurship skills and she's doing very well, >> you know. But I mean, for for you, Beverly, as as the as the manager of of a drug treatment facility essentially, >> um, >> it's it's very interesting to to see that you can respond as well to to Suzanne's situation even though she's not >> addicted to a [music] substance necessarily.
>> How what is the importance of facilities like yours being open?
>> Yes. to accepting persons who >> because >> would benefit from from the resource >> because Suzanne could have gone into drugs.
>> Correct.
>> Right. She was predisposed at risk.
>> She was predisposed. Her inner strength kept her away from it, >> you know, and this is why Serenity Place is an empowerment center for women because and homelessness, domestic violence and all these related issues uh you know substance use disorders are all related. Y >> so you find that once a woman come to serenity place or we somebody call and ask for help and they talk about what their issues are >> it it encompasses all issues that women go through and women struggle with. So we at Serenity Place use the therapeutic community pro approach to treatment to assist these women to help them to empower themselves so that they can be reintegrated into society productive, motivated and independent.
>> You know we it's it's like woman helping woman to help herself. So you come in with your skill, you help me, I can't read, you could read, you help me to read, I can't cook, you help me to cook, you know. So hence the reason why Serenity Place is unique.
>> Indeed. Indeed. And bravo to you. Bravo to all of the ladies at [applause] Serenity Place for >> for encouraging that um that therapeutic community as you say can can help not just persons who have substance use disorder, but any woman especially in this instance who is in need of some upliftment, the empowerment, the the sisterhood. Mhm.
>> that is built [music] in these communities.
>> I mean if if if they come to us before they use the drug and we can help >> in that way prevent them from going to that d going in that direction. And I mean, come on.
>> Catch them before.
>> Before, >> you know, I was saying to Susan just now that she should be on a TED talk, >> you know, she should be a guest for TED talk because it it's, you know, this whole situation. Families, boy. Oh my god.
>> Families could really mess you up, you know. Yes.
>> Um, and I I'm listening and I am picturing myself too, you know, with my family and and and and I often wonder why I I kind of blame myself too for my being estranged from, you know, my brother and I would speak. Yes. But there's this ambivalence and because I I was you know I should show that part of the blame for breaking up my family and um and and the experience that I would have put them through. So I could understand I I thought [music] about I won't go they're not about me it's about you today Suzanne and you know there are number of people especially and thank you to all the comments we're getting from you on Facebook and YouTube especially Rosemary out there in Brooklyn. Thank you very much. Thank you for Suzanne for telling your story. Hope someone listening will get help. Your story is sad when parents don't listen to their children >> cries and support them all the way. And um >> but I wanted to ask >> Let me just say thank goodness the hospital security was kindhearted and that is so true. Yes.
>> You know was it >> green the green?
>> Right. Right. Right. Yeah. Yeah, cuz they could have they have dual roles because MTSL brought me down to the casing. [laughter] So there >> one thing I I noticed from from like especially cuz even with the with the guy too like he he could have come up and make a scene like it had so many instances that the security me still being able to get my bag. so much windows of opportunity of grace and where God worked to just >> disallow certain things from happening >> so that I could have been able to get a way out because it it could have been totally different. They could have told me, "No, you can't stay here."
>> Yes. Or they could have raped you one night. Yeah. Somebody could have planned for you and >> Yeah.
>> and rape you. Yeah. And um a big part of this whole message is too you know it's so easy especially with with culture and society and the world and you know it very easy to be consumed by your pain again it have those who end up committing suicide >> the didn't live to tell this story. It have those who end up murdered who you know >> but you are not your mistakes, your wrongdoings, the things that happened to your past. You are not the negative things that people have done to you or said to you. You are who God called you and who Christ make you to be.
Everybody's wonderfully and beautifully made in his image. And I hope that more and more people just they just get to know that. They get to know that they are here for a purpose. Everybody's here for a purpose. Some people walk around and they're thinking why born you know um I must be a mystic but that is not true. Nobody's a mystic and everybody's special in his or her own way. Everybody have talents and gifts and abilities and a purpose where we could be able to contribute to society and help uplift each other in some way shape form or f you know fashion.
>> Now there are parents out there who wants their child to live their dream.
>> Yes. And um and and what would you say to them because you know because you're not interested in the religion that they following you become the enemy.
>> The pariah.
>> Yeah. And the pariah in the family.
>> Um what would you say to them now? um parents who are listening >> for parents who are like that I would say learn to love yourself because you see when it is and and let go of your past because you see when it is as a parent you're coming from a premise like that you know you didn't get certain opportunities or your soul wanted to be this and that and you're trying to live through your child now you're >> it was like just putting your identity in those things and not putting your identity in Christ so you know Let go of the past. Sit down with yourself. Find out about why it is you know you felt the way that you felt. Spend some time with you. And I mean yes, letting go of the past may seem easier said than done.
But we have to let go because if it is we don't let go, you will drag that into the present and you will be bitter. You will have unforgiveness. You'll be unhappy and you will not be able to make progress in your present neither to move on into your future. Because a lot of parents who do these things, who live through their children, they're still unhappy with themselves, you know. So I would say hopefully try to reach that place where you could >> empty from within. Try to find out why it is you as a person ended up wanting to put your identity in this type of life that you so want your child to live because you want to live through that child, >> right?
>> And seek to get to know who you are.
Love yourself. We have to love ourselves because we if we don't love ourselves, we will not be able to extend that to our children and they will not be able to extend that to their de their children. You can't give what you what you don't have, >> right?
>> So it it it all comes back to having confidence and love for yourself.
>> And I would also say to you know be open-minded.
Not only a parent have a voice, your child or your children have a right to express themselves as well, >> right? So, you know, be open-minded. Say what you have to say. Yes. But hear from your child. Don't just ignore them.
Listen to them. Listen to what they're saying and what they're not saying >> because our body language also demonstrates things that we don't see as well.
>> Pay attention to your children >> because a lot of children they grow up quiet like me and the crying out in silence so to speak and they don't know how to express themselves. Sometimes um not parents, sometimes children want to express themselves but they're afraid because the first thing the parents might cuss them, they might look to lash them or beat them and you know it just tear down the confidence. So you know and I mean that is not the right way and again that too comes back from especially for parents that came from the longtime parenting where everything you know you >> do as I say not as I do.
>> Yeah. and and you're getting licks for every little thing or you know >> but um the end result don't be good. So you know pay attention to your child the same way you as a child would have wanted to be able to be heard try to extend that to your child listen to your child. Now Beverly there there's another situation facing [clears throat] parents out there now with substance abuse and they they seem to be up in arms and and you know I want to say to one or two of the people who reach out to us as you know we have our challenges here as well >> so I'm trying to at times it gets overwhelming I mean it's 24 years we're doing this >> so there are times that people would reach out to us for help and I have to take some time to find out who I could pass them on to so that they could take up that load while we try to get back on terapform.
Um is is are you and Natasha could you share serenity place number for the public again?
>> Of course I just put it in the chat on Facebook. Um I put a link to their page on Facebook. No.
>> Yes. But um their number the number that the number you could reach Serenity Place Empowerment Center for Women which is located at Cochran Village, Guapo4 is 794 7980 79 >> 328 6298 >> or 328 6298.
>> Yes. So So Beverly again a child is in denial. a parent seeing a child going down using drugs and and what what would you say to these parents, you know, now especially now where they don't even have to look for marijuana or getting any longer. They have other things now that children can use and still achieve getting high and sometimes get in trouble.
>> So true. So true, guys. You know, parents need to spend time with the children. That is what is lacking.
Parents give the children up to social media, >> you know, social media has become a babysitter >> and devices, >> you know, and all types of devices. So, when mommy come home, she tired, go on your tablet, >> go on your phone, give them the phone, you know, and they don't pay attention [music] to the children. They don't look at the signs the children are showing.
You might see the child sitting down quiet, and you'll tell, well, she quiet, she quiet, she good. She ain't saying nothing, so I'm okay. you know, >> and um they're not looking at the children. And parents need to pay attention and to listen. As Suzanne was saying, listen to your child. Listen to what she's saying. A number of times parents children come to parents and they push them away. Oh gosh. You know, they come for a hug and they push. Oh gosh, leave me alone now. Now, you know, hug your child. Tell her that you love her. Tell him that you love him. You know, find out how they going. How was your day? What's happening with you? you know, and notice your you come home and you're just not talking. What's going on? Did something happen in school? You know, who are your friends? Get to know who their friends are. Get to know what they doing. Check their school bags.
[music] You know, parents often don't have time.
They don't do these things because they figure, well, okay, you know, some parents feel, well, I have a good child, so that child ain't doing nothing. But that is the child who doing the most.
>> You know, [laughter] >> that is the child who doing the most.
quiet ones you really need to >> Yes. Those are the ones that you have to focus on and pay attention to >> and and parents really really need to get involved in their child's life >> and that is what is lacking because again because of the economy I mean you know every parent working both parents working and they come home late sometimes parents don't see their children for two or three days they leave early in the morning they come home late in the night when they're sleeping and every time they see their child they sleeping you know but they have to find that time [music] you have to make that time as a parent. Yep.
>> You know, to find to spend that time with that quality time with your children, it is, >> you know, you know, Beverly, it strangely enough, the burden of parenthood usually falls on women, right?
>> Yes. Tell me about it.
>> Who [laughter] who now in turn have to try and protect themselves and take care of themselves and make sure that they don't fall into the same traps of addiction. Hence the reason why the children end up being child parents.
>> Yes.
>> Right. The children end up being child parents because when the mother come home and she's so tired and overburdened and overloaded, >> you go and cook, you clean, you wash, you take care of your brother and your sister. And so the child grew up being a parent before it being a child, you know. So some a lot of a lot of parents didn't have childhood.
>> Correct.
>> You know, and it [music] is very sad.
And I mean with all these examples of the the stories that we hear on I dependency, it is time that parents take a active role in the child's life.
>> Absolutely.
>> Because the the drug pusher out there and the pushers out there, >> they would be the parents.
>> Yeah. And they don't care, you know, they want money.
>> They will spend all the time to to make sure this child is feels loved and wanted and appreciated.
>> And remember, we have legal drugs >> through material things.
>> Yes. And remember, we have illegal drugs and we have legal drugs, too, right?
>> So, please pay close attention. Um, people might be using stuff to numb pain >> and you know, Susan is a perfect example of what that was about.
>> Susan, we're glad to know that now you found a true mother >> and [laughter] Yeah.
Yes. And I wanted to ask a question along that line now that you >> we could probably take your calls too um for if you have any word any kind word for Suzanne any words of support >> and of course for the work Beverly doing. All right. So now Oh, sorry.
>> Before you go, just at as you at Serenity Place now, a a space which is which is designed for healing and and it's the right place for you to be. What does it mean to you to now have a safe space to breathe, to be heard, and to rebuild your life? What does it mean?
>> Yes, we'll take your calls in two minutes, right? So, hold on.
>> To me, freedom. Freedom. strength, confidence, um, maturity as well too. I am still in shock about the fact that I am actually at this point and obviously not in a negative way, in a very positive way to not have come such a long way and you know like um with me and the entrepreneurship that come into pass. So I remember one of the assignments we had to do was we had to make a vision board >> and when I look at my vision board it actually have aspects of it that already come into pass. So you know things like that is just is is a huge motivation is a big sense of encouragement to keep moving forward. So that that's what that represents for me. And of course most importantly um being able to walk closer with God and building a relationship with him.
>> Um I wanted to add I could say one more thing. [snorts] >> Go ahead. Um, in regards to how >> how Miss Beverly was talking about um, you know, when people have like a quiet child trying to think that the child good. That's how it was with me. Even though I wasn't in any kind of trouble with drugs or anything or you know, but because I was always, you know, well-mannered, well disciplined, quiet.
I know that is how my family would have looked at me. Well, okay. Well, yeah, you know, she she um don't give no trouble, so to speak. So then she don't have any trouble going on with her so to speak. But that is still a wrong concept. Not because a child may not be given trouble doesn't mean that they don't have internal troubles going on.
>> Um I think it's also a really important thing as well too in getting to know your children. Your children should get to know you because they may be going through things that you probably went through. Now in in turn where you explaining your life story to your children, they could get to understand certain things or understand why they may be experiencing certain turning points in their life. So the same way you have to get to know your child, your child should get to know you as well.
>> Yep.
>> If you're just joining us, 622 3937, you can give us a call now. Um you have any words of encouragement for Suzanne and what your thoughts about her story.
6223937.
Let's take our first call. Hello.
>> Hello. Good morning.
>> Morning.
>> All right. Um I am listening. Very good program as usual by you people.
>> Thank you.
>> Morning to Mr. Miss Natasha and everybody else who is there. That young lady has inspired me.
>> Hello. You still there?
>> Yes.
>> Yes, we listening.
>> Right. Because >> you listening as well.
>> I too. She reminded me of while my my trauma wasn't um as hers was trauma is trauma, you know, and to me it sound like she went through some days of darkness dead.
But I and I and I and I salute her for being able to come out and and talk about it because that in itself is a kind of healing and getting it out and letting others know that if you could do it, others could do it too. And I thank you very much for saying that. Thank you.
>> And I commend the young I commend the young lady for that. And I commend you, Mr. God >> and your crew >> for bringing this awareness because this is the kind of awareness that we need.
You understand? I hope that this Tell me something. This this serenity house that you all talking about here is it actually like somebody could just come and talk to somebody.
>> Um yes. Yes, you can.
>> Yes, it is a serenity place empowerment center for women. So it they do focus on But saying you could still come and talk, you know. Yes, you can still reach out.
>> I have a friend. Well, >> you know, he's talked to me, but you know, I um I've been through that, but I think that um the the professionals >> to give him a better insight of things, you know. But very good program, young lady. I salute you.
>> Thank you.
>> You watch me. If I tell you something, I say down here and you you I I listen to the program [laughter] you bring chills down with SW because that is how I was.
>> Okay.
>> And it's by the grace of God that I'm here today.
>> Amen.
>> I'm so glad that someone like you came on here today and share this awareness because going on with a lot of people and a lot of people don't know it because a lot of people just not talking to the >> right. Anyway, let me give somebody else a chance.
>> Bless you my brother.
>> That good program stop because the nation need it now.
>> Yes, >> especially in this.
>> Good day to you all and turn it.
>> Thanks very much.
>> Thank you very much. Take care. You know all Hello. Good morning.
>> Morning.
>> Good morning. Take off your radio.
>> Take off your radio.
>> Um the young lady that there >> Yes. You keep on and you have high spirit. I know what you're going through.
>> Thank you.
>> I know very and your mother, she need real help. You got to pray for her.
>> Yes.
>> Yeah.
>> You have to pray for her loud because if you is her only daughter and she treat you like that because you remove from what religion they belong to and things that is not love, >> right? That is not love. And then another thing I listen to you your father died and she went with your uncle and you [snorts] bing and she ve because you going to another religion to another religion. What an example what she's telling you.
>> Yeah.
>> So she in that situation people come and help you and you know you could have done worse than plenty things bad.
>> Yeah. They could have done plenty things because I listen program it it you know is amazing to see that's why they say see my mother I just cherish I love her every day I talk about people my my mother tell me my mother single parent my father left us >> when we about seven years I didn't know my father you know when he went Canada to live when a plane pass I going on the road plane plane bring my father to my father and when I was about 16 my father come back to Trinidad and my stepmother came with a mister like my father and I my went my disappoint I run running hog man daddy daddy mom come no daddy not your father >> you understand I mean >> so parents really have to pay attention you make a child see about the child as to come here >> and use your the only daughter and she treat you like hello if you want to go go that my business.
>> Yeah.
>> No, that not nice. But thank God God stand by you, show you and lift you up and people help you.
>> Yes.
>> And thank God for that.
>> Thank you for >> Thank you.
>> Take care.
>> Thank you.
>> Hello. Good morning.
>> Morning to you.
>> Hi. Morning.
>> And the guest a very good program.
But um I have listened to you and the person who was given the revelation or revelation of the issues but I would like if it is possible that you can give a little on a that AI theory that is now being exposed to the world.
>> Yes. But the danger that it it can affect the underdeveloped country and I'll appreciate if you could give a little more what is the definition of AI and to the poor and destitute of the underdeveloped countries.
>> Okay. All right. Thank you very much.
>> Thanks very much.
>> Yes. And we will do that. Good point because um you know and we'll play the promo before we leave again for you to hear. AI means artificial intelligence >> and it means that somebody can actually copy your voice and use it to call you know and make it sound like you calling I calling my mother and asking for help or calling a friend and asking for help and say look I'm stranded in Barbados here wire some money for me and you'll do it because you recognize the person's voice not knowing it's AI >> all right so but we will engage the cyber crimes unit and have them in here on Sunday so that they can take us through on how to counteract and how to combat falling >> a short simple definition.
>> We have somebody holding. Hello. Good morning.
>> Good morning to Natasha G.
>> Morning Beverly.
>> Long time.
>> Good morning.
>> Good morning.
>> Susan is so articulate.
You know, you can you can you can tell that she comes out of an environment of, you know, a particular she said middle class, but that doesn't matter. She has her challenges. But the dangerous thing that I hope that a lot of parents are paying attention to is trying to live their dreams through their children.
>> It clouds their mind. It brings hatred because they're not seeing they they're meeting their objectives and all of that and everything breaks down. So parents listen to that. Don't try to live your dreams to your children. Please give them a chance to grow and be themselves.
>> And to you Suzanne, wow you are. Thank God you had found Christ. But although you were going through your challenges, he was still there with you. You know in the back of your head you know nothing at you. Don't give up. You're I I'm going to I am going to release you of your challenges and so on. Wait on me.
Listen to me. Hear me and so on. I'm going to help you. And he has done and he has taken you to Beverly and you're in the arms of Beverly and Christ working through Beverly >> to help you. You know, a wonderful program as per usual. God and Natasha and I know people come forward so that this can continue in Trinidad and Tobago. Now people are depressed, people are going through a lot of things. The suffering in silence and my fear is one day it is going to explode.
>> Yeah.
>> Right. So continue your good work. We need you more than ever. Thank you guys.
God bless.
>> Take care. Take care my dear.
>> Um sorry. Okay. After [clears throat] me. Yes. What? [laughter] Hello. Good morning. Sorry.
>> Good morning to you guys.
>> Morning. Miss Beverly, Miss Susan.
>> Good morning.
>> You all brought tears to my eyes. I am not in this situation, but I thought I was Susan then >> going through all this drama and trauma.
>> Susan, you're such a strong individual.
>> Thank you.
>> Tears came to my eyes. Tears. I I still I'm still overwhelmed by my tears.
>> Thank you and keep up the good work.
>> Wow.
>> Thank you very much.
>> Go ahead.
>> So for those to the benefit of those who are wondering what what is AI?
Artificial intelligence refers to the capability of computer systems to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks may include learning, reasoning, problem solving, perception, and decision m making. AI systems are designed to learn from data, identify patterns, and make predictions or decisions without needing explicit programming for every scenario.
So in essence that it was that is what AI is.
>> Okay, let's take another call. 6223937.
Hello, good morning.
>> Morning. Hello. Good morning.
>> Morning.
>> Uh well, first of all, I would like to give my uh I'd like to commend the two guests that you all have there. The story was very moving.
I had to turn off a little turn off a little bit when we got to [laughter] certain parts [clears throat] with with the hand with the fingers and the hammer. I couldn't handle that one. But [laughter] >> yeah, >> understandable. Yeah. So, I would like to commend the two of them. You all have gone through a lot. God bless you. But God, >> thank you.
>> Yes.
>> I heard something. I heard something before with with this. What really going on? What What kind of Terminator thing is this where people voice could get I don't know if you remember that movie?
>> AI.
>> Oh, the AI.
>> Oh, the the [clears throat] the promo that we showed [laughter] that is from you. I really need to play that again.
>> It actually reached them nowhere.
>> Yes. Yes. That is how AI um uses computers to to learn >> and to reproduce. So somebody could capture your voice like from a voicemail message or something you have a video you have uploaded on onto the internet.
They capture that put it into a system which can recreate the voice.
>> Yeah. This thing getting scarier and scarier and scarier and all this kind of all this science fiction thing that was like I said too many >> people thought that that people think that was just science fiction but >> real matter of fact matter of fact I saw a video with stating such >> that these things come in reality and it's scary >> y >> so people really got to watch theel all right thank you >> take care brother >> all right >> 622397 Kevin, good morning.
>> Yes, good morning. Good show. Good show, guys. And Natasha, I want to just find out um is Serenity House, they only have one location.
>> Serenity Place. Yes. Cochran Village.
>> Yes. Point4.
>> Okay. And are they looking to um spread their wings like into Porter Spain?
>> Yes. Once they get the assistance to do so.
>> Assistance and get the building.
>> Okay. And so, how many um females is being housed at the one they have in South?
>> 10.
>> 10. 10 >> 10 currently >> 10 currently. Okay. And um and and how how is it funded? Is it >> uh is it getting funded through as >> nonprofit? Yes, it is a nonprofit and >> Okay. I will call I will call the lady and I will inquire more.
>> Yes, please. I put up the numbers in the Facebook um the page on the in on Facebook and the numbers on YouTube. So you could go back. quite I'm quite certain once you work towards getting these young ladies >> to be gainfully employed and become rather independent and self-sufficient they are going to be able to work towards bringing other females on stream too. So it's um it works it trickles down when you give back. All right.
>> Absolutely.
>> Our call >> um let's before we um we we'll play the promo for you after this call. Right. So line up the promo Natasha so we could play it for people again. So pay attention people. Hello. Good morning.
>> Yes, good morning. Um, I just want to thank you very much for um um providing um a program that is really full of wholesome content and substance.
Uh to the young lady, um I am inspired.
Thank you very very much for sharing your story.
>> Thank you.
>> To the um Miss Beverly, Miss Beverly, thank you very much. is >> I I think the first thing is I don't I don't have much money or anything like that but I would like to contribute to your effort. How do I go about contributing to your effort >> guys? Um to independence or Beverly >> to Beverly [laughter] Yes to To to Beverly. It it is very very inspiring.
>> I'm going to share the number again so you could take it down. 7 7 94 >> 7 94 >> 7980 >> 7980 >> or >> 328 >> 32 28 >> 6298 >> 6298 And could you just let me know the the the full name of the organization?
>> Serenity Place Empowerment Center for Women. Serenity please.
>> Empowerment center for women.
>> Empowerment center for women. All right. Um I I I would like to contribute. Um I know you may have account numbers that you could people could contribute to.
>> Um it's things like these. I I know you're going to get a lot of calls um encouragement and words of affirmation, but we have to start as Trinidadians putting our money where our mouth is.
And I would like >> well said well said sir. Thank you so much.
>> Right. Thank you for um you know just this is hopeful.
>> You know people call and talk about a lot of different things with regards to what is going >> wrong in the country. This is something that is going right >> with the country. And thank you again.
>> You're welcome.
>> Thank you so much sir for your call and your contribution to come.
>> I I wish the you know and and to those of you who on YouTube right now on Facebook think about this. If all of you contribute to our independency now, we have the begging bowl out now. We have never done this in the past 24 years.
We've been here >> and you know we we we try our best to not um we've done we've done teleance for other people but never for ourselves.
>> So we asking those of you online working on if you're willing to contribute to anti penency to keep us going please call us. In the meantime, while we're waiting to get back on Terrairma, >> please help us um give us a call if you're willing to contribute and dependency. If those of you on YouTube right now donate, let's say $40 each.
>> We have up on the screen now the the how you can support our work. So you could take down that that um bank account number and donate what you can every little bit >> or call me at 7566337 and we could um speak about how you could become a part of our independency.
But a lot of people have been you know looking out for us and once again Mr. Roger Hamill Smith >> caring professionals networks um Mr. Jared Wilson, Rex Fidel, and Margaret Miranda for staying on the phone and trying to get people to assist us as well. Natasha, you want to play that promo before we go again? Pay attention to this AI piece, please.
People, please.
>> Storming Tom.
>> Storming.
>> Tom, >> stoing. We're going to play a video.
[laughter] >> We're going to play with this this you won't get too hard. [laughter] Let's go.
>> All right. Here we go.
Got into scammers can use artificial intelligence to copy the voice of someone.
Today, scammers can use artificial intelligence to copy the voice of someone.
a shared memory something.
>> Scammers can steal, >> but they can't steal your artificial intelligence. like they pretend to be your No, I didn't. No, I wasn't hearing anything. You wait. All right, I'll play it again.
shall only worry. The lawyer says $3,000 right now.
>> Today, scammers can use artificial intelligence to copy the voice of someone you love.
Michael, what was the name of the dog we had when you were little?
>> A code word, a shared memory, something only the real person [music] would know.
>> Scammers can steal voices.
>> Hello, >> Grandma. It's Michael. I've got into trouble. I got arrested and I need a bit of help. But please don't tell mom.
She'll only worry. The lawyer says I need $3,000 right now.
>> Today, scammers can use artificial intelligence to copy the voice of someone you love.
>> Michael, what was the name of the dog we had when you were little?
>> A code word. A shared memory.
something only the real person would [music] know.
>> Scammers can steal voices, >> but they can't steal your memories.
With artificial intelligence tools like these, they can pretend to be your bank, >> a family member, >> or an official institution. And [music] they use fear, urgency, or sympathy to make you react without thinking. [music] These scams are designed to pressure anyone at any age. If something feels wrong, [music] stop. Don't reply immediately. Check. Ask a question only the real person would know. Call back.
Contact your family member using a trusted number.
You're not alone. Talk to your family, your bank, your community. Sharing concerns helps [music] everyone stay safer.
>> Hello. I'm out with some mates at the moment. Grandma, is everything okay?
Scammers rely [music] on fear and silence, but sharing what you know can protect you and the people [music] you love. Remember, stop, check, protect.
>> Yep.
>> All right. So, that's it, folks. Um, thank you for the extra time, Tom, for that PSA. And, um, please pay attention, folks. So if your son calls you and ask you for money then you ask him so where were you born or give me a date of birth or what's your what's my middle name that kind of thing you know you'll come up with and now somebody could do proper research on you and could answer all of that. So you need to have a special word code word that only that's unique to that person and um you all could come together come up with some names so that that's for security that is a security check you know like when you the you call the bank and they verify you know like what's your favorite food or movie or pet name or where you went to school that kind of thing right so you all come up with come up with your defense and like I said we have the cyber crime unit in here to discuss this So folks, thanks again. Suzanne, thank you very much.
Beverly, thank you. You know, um that the credits rolling now.
>> Yes. [laughter] >> We go on. Okay. Take care.
>> Thank you very much. Good afternoon.
>> Yes. Take care.
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