Woman smiles courageously as she shares her tumultuous but remarkable journey through life

Parental abandonment can be a traumatic experience for any individual. It can create a sense of profound and lasting emotional trauma. With no parents to guide them, children are subject to an absence of love, guidance and protection, leading to feelings of neglect and low self-esteem. The TikTok page, @examiningportlandz2r, conducted an interview with a woman named Brittany over a series of videos posted onto the platform where she talks about a similar childhood. Despite a hard life, the woman continues to smile throughout the interview, showcasing a certain strength to her character that she gained after facing so many challenges in her life. 

The video kicks off with a very basic introduction, with the woman stating her name as Brittany and that she's from Utah. As the interview proceeds, we get to know that she grew up without both of her parents. Brittany then states that she did have a father figure during her childhood, although he was not her biological dad. These people who took care of her did not officially adopt her. She states, "They just kind of took care of me here and there." She then states that she basically grew up on her own and that her mother abandoned her. Worried that he crossed a line, the interviewer apologizes, to which the woman warmly smiles and states, "It's okay."

Fortunately, she was able to graduate from Washington High School in Utah. When the interviewer asks her about her childhood, she describes it as being rather lonely and having to grow up on the streets being exposed to drugs. Sadly, she was exposed to substances when she was just a toddler, about four years of age. The decision to indulge in substances came largely out of peer pressure. After high school, she managed to enroll herself in a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) only to drop out before she could take the state certification exam.

She states that she has been on the streets since then. Interestingly she hitchhiked a ride from Utah only to fall asleep and end up in Oregon. She expresses that she intends to go to California soon. Owing to a traumatic childhood, Brittany does not remember any friends from her childhood. As of the time of the interview, she states that she is sober and looking for housing through The Partnership Inc (TPI), a nonprofit charitable organization that provides affordable housing to low-income groups. In terms of future plans, she intends to get off the streets and get a job.

The interview ends with some practical advice from Brittany: to be weather smart and wear comfortable footwear. People who watched the interview lauded her for her resilience through a very difficult life. @annie3357 commented, "The fact that she keeps smiling and her eyes are so sad. I want to hug her." Another user, @nikkilaffoon, said, "She has the sweetest face. My heart aches watching this. I want to find her and keep her safe forever." @kimberlywestdvm reflected, "That human is so beautiful. The kindness of her despite humanity failing her."