Bruce faced a challenging upbringing marked by neglect and emotional abuse from his mother, who neglected to follow through on increasing his medication for anxiety and depression as recommended by his psychiatrist, ultimately leading to his hospitalization. At 17, feeling unsafe in his home environment where he was belittled, called derogatory names, and physically intimidated, Bruce made the brave decision to run away. Despite the trauma he endured, he showed remarkable resilience, graduating from high school and now attending college, all while being in extended foster care as he works towards a brighter future.