Own Your Story Before it Owns You: a Memoir

NELSON HINCAPIE’S memoir, Own Your Own Story Before it Owns You, offers readers a glimpse into a life marked by abandonment, addiction, and redemption.His mother left him at an early age to move from Colombia to the U.S. Nelson bounced around throughout his childhood and adolescence moving from city to city. He endured the unspeakable trauma of sexual abuse by a teacher during his school years. Then, throughout his teenage years and into his 20s he battled addiction and spiraled downward, which ultimately landed him in jail. He literally walked to the edge before he turned his life around.Nelson’s journey took a turn as he found solace in faith, the loveand strength of his wife, and his determination to help others. He chose to reclaim his life and rise above the ashes of his past.I first met Nelson when he applied for a position in my office in 2004. At the time I was a newly elected County Commissioner. He did outstanding work for me for a couple of years. This led to his appointment as the President and CEO of Voices For Children in Miami Dade County. Until I read his memoir, I had no idea of his ordeal as a youth.As President and CEO of Voices For Children, Nelson used his personal experiences to create opportunities for and enhance the lives of forgotten children. He now works as the CEO of the Miami Dade College Foundation and is one of the most respected members of our community.In Own Your Story Before It Owns You, Nelson fearlessly shares his journey, reminding readers that our stories do not define us. It is our choices, resilience, and belief in God and a brighter tomorrow that shape our destinies.Prepare to be moved, inspired, and forever changed By Nelson’s extraordinary memoir. It is a testament to the power of redemption, the resilience of the human spirit, and the potential for transformation in even the darkest of circumstances.—Carlos A. Gimenez, Member of Congress Fl-28 Read more