Anita MaryAnita Mary is a 47 year old married woman with one young adult son and 3 cats, who all live in Papakura, South Auckland, New Zealand. Growing up as the oldest child wasn't easy in the late 1960's in New Zealand, and she tried her hardest to make thins work, but ended up being shifted from one home to another within her family. After attending 18 schools up and down New Zealand and trying to deal with the internal complexities that grew from external voices and sexual abuse.... She found herself living on the streets of Auckland and Wellington Mid 1980's, and submerged herself in the New Zealand Underground Punk scene at this time to try to escape from her inward reality of self hatred and disgust. It was in this lifestyle, she found some of her closest and dearest friends to this day, but still life tormented her. Abortions, suicide attempts, prostitution and petty crime..... yet internal anger and self-hatred became her release. Going from one drama to the next she ended up being the passenger in a serious Motor Vehicle Accident after coming back from a gig one night. She was shattered, alive but broken. Anita sustained severe multiple head injuries, temporary paralysis down one side and a minor stroke on the other, Anita had to learn to walk, talk and even hold a conversation all over again....this seemed like it was all too much for Anita, but she continued to go from one victory to another. Slowly but surely, over the next chapter of her life, Anita got herself cleaned up, off drugs, married to Brad (14+ years now) and with 1 son, Taylor. In August 2000 - Anita found herself in a church and had given her life to Jesus Christ. This too, is an ongoing journey, one she does not take lightly, and is what she believes is the reason she is who she is today. - Illustrated a children's book, Not For Kids (2015) written by Liz Walker: www.notforkids.info - Completed several workshops involving working alongside those who struggle with Mental Health issues, Addiction or Chronic Pain. - Graduated 3 alcohol and drug treatment programmes - Miranda Health Centre (1991), Higher Ground (1993) & Odyssey House (1994 - 1996). ​- Completed 6th Form at Metropolitan College in Photography, Art and English (1994). She is currently involved in helping others in her local community through Papakura Art Gallery and long term would love to see the Toi Ora Model set up in Papakura, where the marginalised can come together and grow as community members. Read More Read Less