Our homelessness stories - Shannon Kim Beecher, 23
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Up until her sixth birthday, Shannon and her brother had lived in the care system. She settled in West Norwood after her adoptive parents, having originally planned on adopting one child, took in both siblings. But growing up for six years uncertain, unstable, and confused had eroded Shannon’s mental health and sense of self-worth.
When Shannon was older, she was diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and anger issues because of her time in foster care, but as a child she didn’t understand why she felt this way. Despite all of this, Shannon’s relationship with her brother gave rise to her desire to put the needs of vulnerable people before her own. As a child, she refused to let anyone near her brother. She’d take him to the bathroom, tie his shoelaces, and hold his hand when he was upset. They were inseparable when they were in care.
‘My mental health was never really diagnosed till I was an adult. They knew I had issues, but they never actually said what they thought they were.
‘Gro...
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