How do you move forward when you realise that all you have known was a lie? You do it one step at a time, I was lucky that I met an amazing man (who is my partner of 13yrs and husband of 8yrs now!) right as I was fading. A man who was not religious at all but helped me to open my mind to all the possibilities out there. I was so lost, had no idea how to function in the world and soon realised how different things were. I threw myself into work, it has taken nearly 12yrs but I have finally found the job I want, I worked hard, did an NVQ and am finally on the career path I want.

For me, the decision to leave was not an easy one. My parents were both no longer associated with the religion, but my grandparents were. They were all in and desperately didn’t want me to leave. I tried to carry on, not wanting to hurt them but it became harder to go and easier to come up with some excuse why I couldn’t make it. Eventually I just stopped, told them I was no longer going and that was that. I know that was very lucky when it came to fading as I had my parents backing, I also know that for many this is not the case. They face shunning by parents, children, siblings and their closest friends. I feel deeply for those of you who have suffered this. All I can say is be strong, you are doing the right thing.

Having gone through so much while apart of this religion, I guess that was what made walking away an easier decision. I know people who were unaware of how common abuse of all kinds is within the religion, people who decided to leave based on their beliefs.

Whatever it was that got you to that point just know you are not alone. When I left there were no support groups like there is now! I have to say finding them has been a fantastic and I want to say a big thank you to everyone that I have come across on these groups, your a bigger help to each other than you know!