Shoy by Diana Cassandra Neverson

.A conversation with author Diana Cassandra Neverson

I was born Diana Cassandra Neverson in the United Kingdom of Caribbean parents from St Vincent and the Grenadines.

         Being born, named and guided through your informative years by your parents, social influences and peers, can sometimes leave your character clouded. You find yourself existing within the body while your mind is in a constant state of turmoil. At what point do you change all of that and take control of your life? The decision to change may take months or even years. All the while you’re thinking – “there’s always tomorrow!”.

         At the innocent age of five my childhood was changed forever. My mind was suffocated as my body was subjected to pain and vile degradation that not even a consenting adult should endure. When you find yourself in a situation that you know isn’t right, what makes you focus enough to levitate out of those invisible chains of bondage? Out of ransom? I couldn’t answer those questions, but I knew it was easier to be happy than not. It wasn’t until I had my daughter at the age of sixteen that all of those years of pain and hurt began to surface. Mentally making their presence known in the worst ways. I was in fear of my child being hurt like I was. I just couldn’t deal with that, so I submerged her in a world of happiness. I thought everything was well until she told me that she “HATED me”. Why? – because I wouldn’t let her go with her friends for sleepovers. She could’ve had as many sleepovers as she desired at my place, but the thought of her being out of my care – especially overnight – didn’t rest well with me at all. For her sake I had to try…..if I loved her. I had to let her go.