28 Responses

  1. younela
    younela at |

    O.M.G. I have no words to express how this made me feel. I have the tears!! and the heartbreak. Timmy are you sure you’re only 13? The maturity you show… Phenomenal.

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      I am sure of my age. It’s on the birth certificate. LOL Thank you for the complement, and for reading the story.
      <3 Timmy

      Reply
  2. Meg Amor
    Meg Amor at |

    Aloha Timmy and Cody… Wow. I am just blown away by this story Timmy. I also think that too, Younela… are you sure you’re only 13? 🙂 You’re amazing Timmy. What a well written, deep story. Sobering, insightful, thoughtful, sad, deep, heartfelt and heartbreaking… No words really.

    Thank you sincerely for writing this story Timmy and to both you and Cody for sharing it… It’s so important for people to read.

    It clutched at my soul.

    Love and aloha Meg 🙂 <3

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      Wow, so many compliments in there. Thank you so much for reading it. This story is nothing without the readers to help spread it’s meaning. Thank you.
      <3 Timmy

      Reply
  3. Mel Leach
    Mel Leach at |

    Bravo, Timmy. The finished product is amazing. Such a heartfelt, emotional story. It shines a bright light on the many problems the concept of normal causes for the human race… it makes us hate ourselves for not being the same as others and it makes people look at us differently because we do not conform to some arbitrarily chosen template. How much better the world would be if we could all just embrace each other’s unique qualities and look inside a person’s heart and mind to see their true self and the beauty that lies within us all. Thank you for this wonderful story. <3

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      This story would not be what it is without all your help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the time you spent helping me brainstorm, edit, and beta. You are the best.
      <3 Timmy

      Reply
  4. suze294
    suze294 at |

    Timmy, a very moving, insightful,emotional story – great writing!
    Thank you

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      Thanks so much suze294! Thank you for reading.
      <3 Timmy

      Reply
  5. Anna Lund
    Anna Lund at |

    This story just shattered me. The parents, the kids at school, the boyfriend, everybody, I want to take all of them and shake some sense into them.
    Especially for not seeing the beautiful person that this boy is, just looking at his parts—never SEEING him.
    Kudos, Timmy, for your storytelling skills! There was obviously a whole lot of research going into this story, and you have woven the facts into it so well, it is seamless.
    Also, it is really difficult writing in the first person, especially in the present tense, and you managed to do a really cool switching to past tense here and there. Very well done.
    I am impressed, but not at all surprised! You continue to grow and do things your own way. You rock that. You rock that so hard. <3

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      Thank you My Anna. It is hard to write first person! I am unsure I will do that again. It’s a big thanks to Mel for helping me keep my tenses straight. 😀
      <3 Timmy

      Reply
  6. Claudia Polydoro
    Claudia Polydoro at |

    OMG Timmy!!!! You’re a natural writer my dear friend. Some ppl write Lots of books and are not able to bring their characters to life or to write a story that will touch the heart of the readers. YOU DID IT! It was a gut wrenching story and please tell us that we’ll read a sequel and see more of Raidean… I’ve tears in my eyes and my heart hurts for Raidean’s pain. You’re on the right path hun. I’ll wait anxiously for your next story. You did extremely well. Loved it so much!

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      Claudia, I’m so glad you liked the story. Writing it was as hard as it probably was to read. I was in tears many times.
      <3 Timmy

      Reply
  7. karihiga
    karihiga at |

    Timmy, I read this story twice, and I can’t get over the pain I feel for Raidean, “I wanted it to be over. I wanted to be over.” Not only that, I felt his loneliness. I was angry with his parents, though I knew they loved Raidean, they sheltered him from the truth which only proved that they felt shame. I was angry at the school for looking the other way. Every child should feel safe at school, not to feel like “School was my punishment for being born.”

    This was a great story. Timmy, you really conveyed the reality of life for intersex teens. And I hope that stories like this will help educate us about acceptance so that kids won’t have to ask their friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, or their parents to “please overlook these and love me anyway.” Fantastic, Timmy!

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      Kari, I was angry with his parents as well. Sadly their love did not mean they were comfortable with how their son was born. Love is not always the same as understanding. They did care, but they also cared very much about themselves and their public image. the school was not so made up. This happens all the time. The school looks the other way while kids are bullied and tormented. It’s sad and unfair, but very much the way things have gone for me.
      <3 Timmy

      Reply
      1. karihiga
        karihiga at |

        That’s the impression I had of Raidean’s parents. By the way, how did you come up with that name? I’ve never seen it.

        Reply
  8. Jess Kurvers
    Jess Kurvers at |

    As always Timmy, incredibly brave and beautiful words for one so young! You are such an important voice for your generation! I am truly humbled you would share this with us! You’re voice/words will impact so many! Well done young one! Very very well done!!

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      I truly hope that is true, Jess. I hope everyone that has read this story, now has a little better look inside Raidean’s head, and the other intersex teens that they may encounter.
      <3 Timmy

      Reply
  9. Deeze Browne
    Deeze Browne at |

    Congratulations Timmy, you brought me to tears but also made me feel proud of Raidean.

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      Thanks Deeze!

      Reply
  10. Danielle
    Danielle at |

    speechless that is what comes to mind after reading your story Timmy.
    Breathtaking is what i think reading what you are capable of with your words
    I am hurt for the hurt i read and the pain and suffering in the words but even more within the words not being said.
    Thank you Cody for sharing this and Timmy I sure hope Raidean will have his much deserved happy end
    hugs Dani

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      Dani, I’ma take a minute to return your hug. (((Dani))) Thank you for taking the time to read my story. He will have a happy ending at some point. I need to finish a story I already have started, then I will return to Raidean.
      <3 Timmy

      Reply
  11. bethtrue25
    bethtrue25 at |

    I am so glad to have read this story. Just absolutely heartbreakingly amazing. Very talented writing by Timmy. I would love to read more about Raidean.

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      Thank you Beth! It means so much to me that you read my story. It was hard to write, because it was sad. However, I needed to get his story out of my head and on paper.
      <3 Timmy

      Reply
  12. Sara
    Sara at |

    Wow! Timmy you certainly are a talented writer. This short story is so real and although incredibly sad, I want to know more… I hope to read more from you. Thank you for sharing and Cody too!

    Reply
    1. Kell Ryder
      Kell Ryder at |

      Thanks for the compliments Sara! I do hope you will have a chance to read more from me. I’m working on a novel, and hope to write more on Raidean.
      <3 Timmy

      Reply
  13. Guest Post: Cody Kennedy, with a Short Story Written by Timmy Ashton – Part II, Raidean’s Story | Love Bytes

    […] “Because It Started This Way.” If you haven’t read Part I yet, you can find it here. Thank you for writing this wonderful, heartfelt story and for helping to educate us, Timmy. I hope […]

  14. Guest Post: Cody Kennedy, With a Short Story Written by Timmy Ashton – Part III, Raidean’s Story | Love Bytes

    […] It’s Time to Move On.” If you haven’t read Parts I and II yet, you can find them here. Thank you for writing this wonderful, heartfelt story and for helping to educate us, Timmy. I hope […]

  15. Guest Post: Cody Kennedy, With a Short Story Written by Timmy Ashton – Part IV, Raidean’s Story | Love Bytes

    […] It’s Freeing.” If you haven’t read Parts I, II, and III yet, you can find them here. Thank you for writing this wonderful, heartfelt story and for educating us, Timmy. I hope […]

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