At the Mississippi State Capitol this week, twin sisters TK Wonder and Cipriana Quann — celebrated artists, activists, and TEDx speakers — appeared before lawmakers and broke one of society’s deepest silences: the long shadow of childhood sexual abuse and the complex path to healing that follows.
The sisters, known for their creative work and social impact through their platform Chew On Something, testified in front of the state Senate about their personal experiences with trauma and recovery. They spoke alongside veterans and mental health experts advocating for legislation that would expand access to therapeutic treatments for PTSD, addiction, depression, and anxiety.
For TK Wonder — a musician, model, and writer — speaking aloud about the trauma she endured as a child was an act of both courage and catharsis.
“I rarely say out loud what my father tried to do when I was nine years old,” she wrote in a searing Instagram post that also included a short clip of her testimony from the hearing. “It was easier to talk about the beatings, the physical violence, the fear — but not the sexual abuse. Every time I say it out loud, I’m healing in ways I never imagined.”
Her words echoed the painful reality faced by many survivors: that healing often begins with breaking silence, even when the truth feels unbearable.
We All Feel Pain — It’s How We Heal That Matters
Cipriana Quann, her twin and long-time mental health advocate, reflected on the testimony as a moment of transformation — both personal and political.
“It’s one of our greatest honors,” she wrote, “to share how we are healing from over a decade of sexual childhood trauma — alongside incredible veterans and advocates helping to create change now for so many that are suffering.”
Their testimony was part of a broader discussion on alternative therapeutic medicines — treatments that are gaining traction for their potential to help trauma survivors process deep emotional wounds. The hearing brought together voices from across disciplines: scientists, veterans, mental health professionals, and survivors united by one belief — that healing requires innovation, compassion, and courage.
Among those testifying were Trevor Miller of Ambio Life Sciences, Dr. Tom Recore of the Department of Mental Health, and Bryan Hubbard, CEO of Americans for Ibo, the organization that facilitated the hearing.
“No matter what you look like, what your religion is, what your political position is — we all feel pain,” Cipriana said. “Many times, how we process that pain is through coping mechanisms that serve us in the moment but aren’t sustainable. This was about finding better ways.”
From Pain to Purpose
The twins’ journey — from surviving a violent, abusive childhood to testifying in state legislatures — reflects a profound resilience. Their willingness to revisit the trauma they endured is not about reliving pain, but reclaiming power.
In recent years, both have used their platforms to normalize open conversations about mental health, trauma, and healing. As ambassadors for Americans for Ibo, they now work alongside veterans and lawmakers to champion therapeutic medicine research and legislative reform.
In doing so, they are also dismantling long-held stigmas around trauma — particularly within communities where silence and shame often bury the truth.
Courage as Catalyst
The testimony of TK Wonder and Cipriana Quann was more than an act of advocacy — it was a living proof of what survival looks like when channeled into purpose. Their openness reframes vulnerability not as weakness, but as power — a reminder that policy change often begins with deeply personal stories.
As lawmakers consider measures to make therapeutic mental health treatments more accessible, the twins’ message resonates far beyond Mississippi: healing is not linear, but it begins when truth meets compassion.
Their story is a call to both survivors and institutions — to listen, to believe, and to build systems where the path to healing isn’t paved with silence.
“Every time I say it out loud,” TK Wonder said, “I’m healing. And it feels really good to finally drop that shame.”
