Shams’ story begins in Bangladesh under the care of a neglectful mother and family members who turn a blind eye to what happens to her because of that neglect. Once the family has immigrated to the United States, thousands of miles from her abuser and those who looked the other way, Shams is safe. But she’ll learn that trauma has a way of living under the skin, of still shaping everything from her sense of self to her relationships.

Shams has written a singular story about surviving a childhood filled with traumas no one should have to endure, and digging past decades of pain, shame, and self-loathing to discover the human being worthy of life and love beneath them.

You hear from two local writers share stories about the path to America.

Shams’ story begins in Bangladesh under the care of a neglectful mother and family members who turn a blind eye to what happens to her because of that neglect. Once the family has immigrated to the United States, thousands of miles from her abuser and those who looked the other way, Shams is safe. But she’ll learn that trauma has a way of living under the skin, of still shaping everything from her sense of self to her relationships.

Shams has written a singular story about surviving a childhood filled with traumas no one should have to endure and about digging past decades of pain, shame, and self-loathing to discover beneath them the human being worthy of life and love.