Meet Ember: The Girl They Couldn’t Break.
What Makes You a Beautiful Disaster?
Trials and tribulations. Forty-eight years of abuse—from early childhood until just recently. I was so tired of being nothing more than a punching bag to and with people. They took everything from me. Tried as hard as they could to have me "off’ed"—but I’m still moving forward.
I long to be that inspiration for someone to leave a horrible situation and know that the past doesn’t define who you are as a human. What’s in your heart is gold, and we all deserve unconditional love, respect, and happiness.
Dance in headlights to Morgan Wallen (love me some him).
Why Do You Identify with the Beautiful Disaster Brand?
Because through my pain, the scars remain. Like Robert Frost said it best: "Nothing Gold Can Stay."
We are all gonna go through changes, but my beautiful reminders keep me strong. After all I went through, they kinda help—especially my Beautiful Disaster tattoo I’ve had on my arm now for about 8 years. Flaws and scars are who we were, to get to the best version of ourselves and the best life.
Tell Us Your Beautiful Disaster Story:
Abused in many ways as a child. Had a fiancé in my teen years—at 17, I had a backwoods, illegal abortion done on me when I was approximately 5.5 months along.
Family on both sides was financially, emotionally, mentally, sexually, and physically abusive. Later in life, my biological dad’s side of the family branded me into trafficking. I’ve been beaten to the point where my injuries should have killed me. Purposely T-boned. Harassed and stalked by horrible people.
I had a protective order on my ex-husband. I was supposed to have the Jeep and house for two years, but he had it all back within three months because no one wanted to help me keep him away—and no one cared how he was violating everything in that protective order.
He took my 401k, was sending money to other girls—lots. Both. So, so much more.
But I came through the fire to give hope and show: it is possible.
What Happened for You to Turn It Around?
The only deputy who ever believed me—and the look in his eyes when he saw how scared, hurt, and terrified I was. He told me: “That boy out there don’t want to catch me without my uniform on.”
He showed me—within his eyes—that I did, in fact, deserve better than to be beaten.
Name 3 Things You’ve Done to Move Closer to Happiness:
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Prayer—first and foremost.
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I’m applying for scholarships to finally attend college, and I know eventually I’ll have my own place and my own car again.
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Music and writing.
And lastly—I hope very much to meet the many music artists that gave me strength to keep moving forward, even when I didn’t really want to anymore. And definitely to meet Morgan Wallen—because he’s such a sweetheart. He seems like a pure “almost heaven” kind of dream I’ve got. That would REALLY make my life complete.
What Is Your Favorite Beautiful Disaster Collection and Why?
Not sure what it’s called—but definitely the Phoenix out of the Ashes. I have that tattooed on my other hand.
Comments
Chrissy said:
Love the show of strength it takes to speak about the abuse they’ve been through. Truely an inspiration to have been through so much and come out of it with the hopes of showing others that things can better. I know how hard it can be and how scary it is. Thank you for sharing your story and thank you bd for giving us all reminders of whats inside of us.
Liz said:
Ember, you are a beautiful soul inside and out! You deserve love and happiness no matter what your journey. Love yourself first, take time for self care and the world will be open to you….. you are a survivor and no one can take that from you! You are stronger than you think! Go tell the world you are HERE! Claim your space! I wish you all things positive!!
Holly said:
Wow inspiring. Have a big story I’m thinking of writing a book. I’ve been raped n beaten and strangled and used and tossed aside like trash. Yelled at choked and locked up mentally with long terms for years. Peed on thrown into windows. But that isn’t the worst really. The worst is the men who lie and open my heart only to walk away. Those hurt the most. I’m a designer a writer a dancer a singer and a former stripper I opened the first all nude one in Anaheim. I’ve seen the bad side of married men. Yes I’ve tried restraining orders and drinking. Therapy helped me and emdr therapy and friends and family. I have cptsd and stalkholmn syndrome. People have tried their methods to fix me. But the work is something I do everyday, and I’m finally better. I want to build a line like yours one day. Think it would be good for me. We’ll see i get tired easily. I may have an auto immune disorder or cancer, not sure June I’ll know more. Anyway love your brand I’ll have to get something soon. Goodnight.
Keila said:
I’ve been through some tough times as well . Nothing in comparison to you. You are an Angel. I feel when your story I read it will cause at least some of those broken souls to reach out persevere and get the help they seek. God bless!
brian said:
hang in there beautiful I can do anything feel free to make contact with me
Inspired said:
Hello beautiful lady, thank you for sharing your experience, your strength and hope for a better future for yourself. You have truly begun the climb and you will rise above. I admire you.
I have always used music as a way of speaking, it speaks to my heart head and emotions, allowing me to cry, smile dance and find hope for tomorrow when all I want is to die today. Some how it gives me strength to get through one more night alone, one more day of tears, I strengthens my resolve allows the smile without fear to shine through.
Once again thank you for sharing,
Rachel said:
I’ve been in your situation. My own family turn on me, and I had children. But I pulled us out. Keep your head up. There are nice people out there.
Missi Mc said:
WOW Your story reminds me so much of mine. I was abused from a very young age. My mom and stepdad paid the doctor off for me to have an abortion at 10 years old. I was pregnant before my first period. I’ve gotten up many times and I fell and failed many times. Your story gives me hope. It tells me that I need to keep going. I fought addiction in my life and had eight years of sobriety. I have been going through more than I wanna talk about lately and I needed to hear your story this afternoon. Thank you for sharing.
Samantha said:
Raised by an abusive hard driving mother, abusive stepfather, and absent father. I raised myself through any available channels, through all hardships. And m not done yet. Trying to build a life through it all. Found solace in expressing myself through the BD brand
Heather Durham said:
Thank you for being strong enough to tell your story. I have a phoenix tattoo too. I gained my freedom and rebirth at 30. I just wanted you to know, there’s no better revenge than to live your best, happy life. Blessings to you!
Kathy Olexa said:
Thank you for sharing your story! I’m praying that you will have a bright future and that your dreams will come true! Sending you love ❤️ and hugs 🤗
Jennifer VanVliet said:
I’m so sorry you had to endure so much pain 😢 You are a warrior & you deserve nothing but good things from here on out! Stay strong! Keep moving forward & never look back 😊
Jane nattsas said:
May god bless you to give you strength. You are a true survivor in every sense. Love you girl. Triumph over tradgedy is my motto and tattoo. Bless you on your journey.
Jenna Carlill said:
As a fellow survivor of SA from multiple family members, mental abuse, assault from my ex-husband, restraining order against ex-boyfriend and endocrine and breast cancer. I wish you nothing but blessings of abundance. You have purpose, you ate loved and you are worthy, please don’t let anyone make you feel like you don’t.
Karen said:
I am so proud of you!! I was abused for 30 years by men. My abusive husband committed suicide and made me and my 11 year old daughter find him. By the grace of God and a lot of therapy, I am finally thriving and my daughter is too!! She is just finishing her first year of college!!
Jeanette said:
I would like to tell my story…