A personal account by Lucas MoraNew Jersey to Chicago
I Found My
Way Home
Begin the story
This is my account of the childhood I experienced, the circumstances that led me to leave New Jersey, and the life I built after I left.
I Found My
A personal account by Lucas Mora about his experiences with his parents, Luisa Fernanda Galvis Mora and Felippe Mora, leaving New Jersey, and building a life in Chicago.
In my own words
Kanye has always been around in my music, but over the last four years, I’ve gotten into him so much more. His music became part of one of the most important moments of my life.
It’s not easy to say this, but it’s time I tell my truth.
My parents, Felippe Mora and Luisa Fernanda Galvis Mora, abused me throughout my childhood.
Chapter01
Behind Closed Doors
No one from the outside would have ever guessed what was happening behind closed doors.
I remember being beaten, dragged on stairs, choked at the end of my bed, having my head slammed into the ground, and having screwdrivers thrown at me.
I was put in full nelsons and held down during panic attacks.
On one occasion, while my ankle was healing from an injury, I remember my father repeatedly striking the injured ankle with a belt, leaving me injured for longer.
That was my reality for years.
Chapter02
When Someone Finally Saw Something
The first time child protection services became involved was while I was in high school. The January 4, 2021 incident led to my first hospitalization, which lasted approximately two weeks. According to my recollection, child protection became involved after I was discharged, returned home in panic, and was admitted again within approximately two hours. That second admission lasted approximately another two weeks.
I was sent to stay at my grandparents’ apartment for several months.
During that period, my parents presented everything as though our home was normal. Eventually, the visits stopped and I returned home.
From my perspective, what followed became increasingly emotional and psychological.
There were hospitalizations, accusations, conflict, and a growing feeling that I was being pushed out of my own family. I felt that the bipolar label was used to discount what I said about home. A recent clinician told me that the bipolar diagnosis was not correct and identified PTSD and ADHD instead. That is what I was told, not a conclusion independently verified by this website.
“No one fucking wants you here. Just leave.”
So I did.
Chapter03
Just Leave
New Jersey → Chicago
Two days later, I packed my life into my car.
I left New Jersey at night and drove approximately 15 hours toward Chicago.
It wasn’t something I had spent months planning.
I simply left.
New JerseyChicago
Approximately 15 hours
Chapter04
Fifteen Hours
I drove through the entire night.
I had already been awake throughout the previous day.
I was exhausted.
I was carrying the emotions of hearing my own parents tell me that nobody wanted me there.
Everything I owned was with me.
The only place I had ever called home was getting farther away with every mile.
I kept driving.
My Way Home
I was free.
ChicagoA new beginning
My Way Home
Chicago.
Around a week before I left New Jersey, my old best friend Dylan introduced me to a Kanye West song called “My Way Home.”
At the time, I had no idea I was about to suddenly leave the state. Something about the song connected deeply with what I was going through.
Then, about a week later, I was entering Chicago for the first time. And “My Way Home” started playing.
I physically felt relief fill my entire body.
It is a feeling I have never experienced before or since.
For the first time in my life, I genuinely felt free from the trauma I associated with the life I had left behind.
It almost felt spiritual. Like an awakening.
I started crying.
I cried for much of the remaining drive until I reached my temporary apartment.
Chapter06
Starting Over
I moved to Chicago without my family.
I did not have an established support system waiting for me.
For a while, it was rough. I was lonely.
I spent most of my time working on my business instead of actually enjoying my life.
Even though I was constantly working, I did not feel like I was progressing personally.
Chapter07
Then I Met Samara
My future wife.
That’s when everything changed.
I slowly started healing. I started building a real support system.
Five days after our first date, Samara introduced me to her extended family.
I already felt strongly about her, but seeing the family dynamic she grew up with made something very clear to me.
This was what a loving family could look like.
A family that supports each other. A family where people make each other feel wanted.
Chapter08
Family
Samara’s dad quickly made me feel like I belonged.
He told me that I was as important to them as their daughter was.
I don’t remember hearing words like that from my own parents.
Over time, I became closer with her entire family. And eventually something became clear.
I finally had a family.
A family I love. A family that supports me. A family that makes me feel wanted.
Moving to Chicago didn’t just lead me to finding my soulmate. It led me to finding the family I felt I had been searching for my entire life.
Chapter09
My Life Now
- My relationship
- My family
- My business
- My home
- My future
- Chicago
- Personal growth
I’m not sharing any of this for pity.
I’m sharing it because I escaped.
I’m in Chicago now, surrounded by people who love me and treat me with kindness and respect.
I have built a career, a business, a life, and a future.
Everything I experienced affected the person I became. I wish much of it had never happened.
But I refused to let my past become the end of my story.
My life belongs
to me now.
Chronology
Timeline
Dates come from my account. An exact date here has not been independently verified by a published record.
Date not specified
Childhood
Date not specifiedYear not specified
High school
Date not specifiedJanuary 4, 2021
The incident at home
Exact dateThis is the date I remember. The incident led to my first psychiatric hospitalization.
Approximately two weeks
First hospital admission
Approximate dateI was not aware of child protection involvement during this first stay.
Within approximately two hours
A brief return home
Approximate dateAfter discharge, I panicked on seeing my father and was returned to the same hospital.
Another approximately two weeks
Second admission and child protection
Approximate dateAccording to my recollection, child protection services became involved during this second admission.
Approximately three to four months
Time with grandparents
Approximate dateAfter the second admission, I stayed at my grandparents’ apartment while child protection visits continued.
Later in 2021
Return home
Approximate dateThe exact date and the formal case outcome still need confirmation.
Date not specified
Events leading to departure
Date not specifiedOctober 17, 2025
Leaving New Jersey
Exact dateOctober 17 to 18, 2025
Drive to Chicago
Exact dateOctober 18, 2025
Arrival in Chicago
Exact dateJanuary 9, 2026
Meeting Samara
Exact dateOngoing
Building a new life
Date not specified
About this account
In my
own words.
This website is my personal account of events I experienced and remember.
Some events occurred when I was a child and exact dates may not always be available.
Where a date is uncertain, I have attempted to identify it as approximate.
Where supporting documentation exists and can appropriately be shared, I may provide it alongside the relevant part of the story.
I have tried to distinguish my own firsthand memories from information obtained through documents or other people.
Accuracy Matters
I want this account to be accurate.
If a specific factual statement on this website can be demonstrated to contain an error, documentation may be submitted for review.
Corrections to demonstrable factual errors may be made where appropriate.
Home, at last.
There are certain songs that become permanently attached to moments in your life.
For me, “My Way Home” will always be connected to the moment I entered Chicago and realized the life I knew was behind me.
Kanye’s music became connected to the moment I finally felt free.
I didn’t just find my way to Chicago.
I found my way home.