08/23/2023
My name is Rachel Hardy and I was born and raised in a small town in Indiana called South Bend. I was raised by my Mom with three siblings, all girls. As I remember it, my childhood was fairly decent until I was molested at the age of nine years old by a predator who was a family member. I didn't disclose that to my Mom or sisters until later. Being a child, I did not understand what was going on. I knew it was wrong; however, out of fear, guilt and manipulation, I felt as if I could not share what was being done.
As I grew older, into my teenaged years, I started acting out by running away and getting into different situations that led to more abuse. At a very young age, I got involved with a man who physically abused me. I could not identify the reason I was doing those things, but now I realize it was because of the abuse I had experienced at nine years old. Once I realized that, I vowed to be a voice for other young children.
I have three children of my own, a 21-year-old, a 13-year-old and a 7-year-old. I truly feel that it is so important that ALL children know that there is someone who will be your voice when you feel as if you cannot share information about violations that are happening to you because the person makes you feel fearful, guilty or ashamed. I want to be their voice until theirs is returned to them. I want them to know that they do not have to be alone.
I moved to Texas at the age of 23 and that is where I reside now. When I moved, it was just me and my oldest son. I wanted to restart my life because I was involved in so many situations that were not good for me. I met a man and I felt he was the love of my life. I eventually realized instead of a love story, I was involved in another abusive situation. This time it landed me in prison.
Being in prison gave me a lot of insight and compassion for adults because in their hearts are the wounded children who were never heard and never healed. A lot of their decisions are based on what they endured in their childhood. That was the case for me. I was led into a lot of broken relationships because I was broken. So not only do I have tears in my eyes for young children who are suffering from abuse, be it sexual, physical or verbal, I also have tears in my eyes for adults.
Tears In My Eyes Foundation, Inc. is a global foundation. I definitely want to impact the world in a fundamental and tangible way. At T.IM.E., we want to be the voice for the voiceless until they regain their own, and help them heal so we can heal the world together one (inner) child at a time.