I’m Taylor (Zientara) Ahmed, a 30-year-old social worker and advocate from Madison, WI, known for my kindness, resilience, passion for learning, and for wrangling both cats and life’s challenges with a sense of humor.

Personality and Interests: People who know me well would describe me as kind, stubborn, funny, and outgoing. While I lean more towards being an extrovert, I do have my introverted moments. I’m a nerd at heart, with a passion for reading, video games, board games, writing, and continuously learning new things. On the sporty side, I enjoy gymnastics, hockey, volleyball, and snowboarding.

Family and Home: I’m married to my amazing husband, Sultan, who not only helps me navigate life’s complexities but also assists with my WordPress endeavors. We don’t have any biological children, but we foster teens in our area. Our home is bustling with the energy of our four cats: Manny, Rory, Mango, and Curry.

Early Life: I was born in a small town in western New York State and grew up with two brothers—one older and one younger. Raised by my biological mom and dad alongside my maternal grandmother, I attended public school in an affluent neighborhood. My childhood was marked by the frequent travel of my parents and my grandmother’s battles with cancer. Tragically, from ages 11-19, I endured sexual abuse by a family friend, whom I refer to as ‘Alex’ in my blog. This traumatic experience deeply affected my adolescence and led me to move across the country to Madison.

Education and Career: Starting anew in Madison was a challenging but necessary step for my healing. I enrolled at Marquette University, earning a Bachelor’s in Philosophy in 2016 and a Master’s in Political Science in 2018. My career has been dedicated to advocacy, working initially in a Domestic Violence Shelter, then with young people aging out of foster care, and now in child protection.

Created Family: Over the years, I’ve built a ‘created family’ of both biological and non-biological members who love and support me unconditionally. I maintain close ties with my older brother and aunt in New York. However, I’ve been no contact (NC) with my biological parents for seven years. In 2019, I met the wonderful people I now call my parents, who have embraced me as their own. My mom and I bond over tea and chocolates, while my dad provides a calming and wise presence. I’m also close with my aunt, my mom’s sister, and her best friend.

Friendships: My best friend, CC, has been a part of my life since we were 11 years old. In Madison, I have a tight-knit group of friends who support me in sharing my story and navigating life’s challenges.

Blog Purpose: In my blog, I share my truth, focusing on significant events and struggles rather than everyday details. My experiences, including the abuse and adversities I’ve faced, are important aspects of my identity and shape who I am. This blog is a space for me to explore and share these facets of my life.

Thank you for reading and engaging with my story. I appreciate your support and invite you to reach out if you’d like to connect.