Growing up severely abused since birth by my family, until I escaped them, brought me compassion for all living beings, including exploited people like me, plants, and animals. I have now been a vegan for 20 years and a vegetarian for 13 years. I try to live sustainably and buy Fair Trade products that don’t use sweat shops. I grow my own hydroponic garden. I tried to find work and degrees that would help in environmental education and conservation.