Cylliah Chavez Inspiring Survivor

Cylliah is a first born, blind, Transgendered Two Spirit soul, though it would take several years for him to gain an understanding and self-acceptance of this. The unforeseen diagnosis of blindness can be quite shocking to any new parents. All alone and uncertain as to what my folks should do, they went against all others advise an chose to raise their child like any other, bravely deciding not to shelter me from the world, realizing that from their prospective living life to the fullest would be a challenge for their child. In early childhood, she gained in interest in music, started singing and playing the Piano at age 4. Mom insisted on us kids growing up in the Baptist church. At around age 5 is when the mystery of self-began to unfold. All though I was in a girl's body, I didn't feel quite like the other girls, I felt more like a boy. I figured I was a different kind of boy but none the less a boy, if I felt like a boy inside then that probably meant I would grow like a boy. Those feelings feared and excited me all at the same time. I had no way to communicate these feelings and only hoped in time my hidden truth would be revealed. When puberty began and progressed, the feelings of self-togetherness and confidence slowly drifted away. I knew then, I was a girl in and out, but why do I feel different? In high school, she began studying Kung Fu San Soo, a Chinese Martial art that is based on the yin and yang philosophy of Taoism. As I progressed in the art, I learned how to listen to my body, to become more in tune, learning how the body and mind communicate with one another. Self-acceptance is a beautiful thing, I'm free to be me and live my truth. I'm happier than I've ever been. I'm no one special, just an average Jo who has challenges of his own. I'm aspiring to become a successful Sport's Massage Therapist. Family and I have a closer bond with one another than ever before.

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