Ever since I was little I knew I was different... I learned to walk on my toes, my hips swayed in ways unnatural to a child. I can remember my mother thought it was cute and pointed it out to everyone. She was very understanding in some regards but in others; I didn't even realize what she was doing was abuse. From a very young age I was taught to mask certain things, while others were just considered a character trait. I can remember my first friend having been very kind and loving hugs; I didn't think anything of it at...