Having the last name of "Pugh" coupled with not capable of reading in third grade was a recipe to be bullied. From 3rd to 6th grade at Holy Redeemer School, I was verbally and physically abused. The weight of that experience has not left me in over 50 years. It has permeated every part of my life to the point of depression and many thoughts of suicide. It effects my family and friends. I have been dealing with it in therapy and with art (photography and painting). My life and ego has suffered greatly every day. Never ever seeing the light of day nor will I ever think it will. When I think there is compassionate ear to express myself . . . I'm wrong. They have a masked face of compassion. . . Then they are gone looking at me as a freak. And the pain starts all over again. I am a visual artist within me I scream silently.