Sean/a’s Journey from Homelessness to Healing and Resilience
A Larger-Than-Life Presence in La Jolla
If you lived in La Jolla, CA, you knew Sean/a. With a bright smile, colorful outfits, and an infectious personality, she was impossible to miss. Whether at the beach, tennis courts, or coffee shops, Sean/a connected with locals and tourists alike.
What stood out most was her radiant optimism—even as she quietly battled significant mental health struggles. That spirit of resilience became the start of an extraordinary friendship and life-changing journey.
From Streets to Shelter
One rainy night, I found Sean/a drenched, shivering, and still smiling in a bikini top and skirt. That moment sparked a turning point: community fundraising, support, and a shared mission to change her life.
After eight years unhoused, Sean/a spent her last night on the streets. What followed was a decade-long journey, including writing a book together about resilience, thriving after trauma, and redefining hope.
Faith, Basketball, and Mental Health Struggles
Raised with strong Christian roots, Sean/a’s stepfather was a pastor, and she still attends online services weekly. She thrived in college on a basketball scholarship, earning a PE degree and dedicating herself to mentoring youth through teaching and the Boys and Girls Club.
But as her life unfolded, struggles with her intersex identity, complex PTSD, and schizophrenia led to hardship and eventually homelessness. Yet, instead of despair, Sean/a chose curiosity, faith, and perseverance.
Survival Through Optimism and Connection
Every day, Sean/a gave herself pep talks: “Fact before emotion. Change your actions first, then your emotions will follow.” She built resilience through routine—walking miles daily, showering at the beach, and serving her community in any way possible.
Her vibrant presence, colorful wardrobe, and willingness to help others turned her into a local icon. She transformed survival into connection, gratitude, and dignity.
Intersex Identity and Advocacy
Sean/a proudly represents the “I” in LGBTQIA+, raising awareness about intersex experiences. She distinguishes between intersex and transgender identities, explaining:
- Intersex refers to being born with biological variations in sex characteristics.
- Transgender refers to gender identity not aligning with sex assigned at birth.
She has carried this message to global audiences, marching in Pride parades from Washington, DC to Lisbon, where she represented intersex individuals with courage and joy.
Resilience, Spirituality, and the Long Walk
Today, Sean/a calls her daily half-marathon walks “mood-walk therapy.” Walking grounds her, helps her manage mental distress, and reminds her to stay connected to gratitude and faith.
Her life is a testimony to resilience, spiritual connection, and the belief that even in struggle, optimism can carry us through. As she shares:
“Just keep walking with gratitude, hope and faith that things will always get better in the end. I did. And it made all the difference.”
Sean/a’s story is not just about surviving homelessness or navigating intersex identity—it’s about embodying joy, resilience, and faith against all odds. She continues to inspire through her openness, advocacy, and daily practice of choosing optimism.
Her journey reminds us that true resilience is found in community, spirituality, and the simple act of walking forward with hope.