The future was looking bright for 17-year-old Dapnee. She had recently graduated high school and had been accepted into a dream university. She wanted to study physics and saw a future as a research scientist. She moved into the dorms and started college life. She was excited to begin the next chapter.

In last week's episode (Part 1 of this story), Dapnee tells us the traumatic story if her rape. She paints the picture of what was going on her life at the time, about the shocking way she was treated by law enforcement, what happened at the hospital, and the weeks immediately following the assault.

In this week's episode, her story continues. She tells us about:

• The discovery of her pregnancy (three months later) that occurred as a result of the rape, and how she ignored the signs and did not want to believe that she was pregnant.
• How at the same time as the shock, the pregnancy gave her hope and brought a light into her life when she was at her lowest.
• How she grappled with the decision of either keeping the baby or giving it up for adoption.
• What happened when she told her family about the rape and the resulting pregnancy at 6 months pregnant.
• How she blamed herself for a very long time and how she overcame that.
• The judgement she received being pregnant at 17.
• Being let down and the betrayal she felt by her family not keeping her secret.
• Life as a newly single mum after her baby was born.
• Suffering from postnatal depression and not understanding what was happening.

Dapnee also shares an incident where her daughter got sick at the age of two and she couldn't afford medicine, and how that situation prompted her to take a gap year and join the military.

There is no doubt that this is a heartbreaking story, but it is also one of empowerment, strength, beauty, and bravery. Dapnee shares how the tough times gave her the drive that she needed to show people that she would finish school, and how everyone's judgement of being a pregnant teen empowered her to reach for the sky.

*Please note this episode and topic may act as a trigger for some people, and this episode is not suitable to listen to within earshot of children.*

Links mentioned in the episode:

It is advised to listen to Part 1 first. You can listen to Part 1 HERE.

To contact Julia, email: [email protected].

Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.

Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.