Never Counted O How Darryl Phipps Becam

By Chris Chmielewski Foster Focus Editor

As foster kids we're called fighters and survivors all the time So much so, that it begins to lose its meaning, its impact Granted there are in fact thousands of those foster youth who are survivors, fighters Some continue their fight through advocacy, some academia and some turn to athletics.

Then there is Darryl Phipps, who continues his fight everyday He fights his martial arts opponents He fights stereotypes He fights for a sport in the entertainment industry. But his toughness enemy comes in the form of memories of a childhood so horrific, so unfathomable, that he may never see the end of the battle

Darryl K. Phipps though born in Queens, NY grew up deep in the heart of Texas. The small town of Cleveland, TX gave him a sense of security that was shattered daily inside his abusive home he shared with his sisters Tisha and Chimene Jasmine Lewis

He grew up without his father, a steady stream of male figures would fill that void, good or bad, as they appeared and disappeared from his mother Karen's carefree life He would have to fight them as well

When the person who is meant to protect you is the one trying to hurt you, what are your options? For a scared 10 year old isolated with a commanding mother and equally scared little sister, the only option was to fall in line, or else

When nothing in your life has been normal, it becomes your "normal" Each day, each beating, leads into the next Bruises don't sting to the touch after a while Scars and words fade was the months pass Your "normal" becomes routine, almost expected. It builds a fiery rage in the abused stomach, a rage that cannot be released. The consequences of that could be devastating

So Darryl lived two lives through his childhood. One where he was a smart quite shy boy who was kind to everyone around him Withdrawn Serious But at home, it was a different story Volatile Aggressive Violent The mood of the house resonated through its occupants Tension was the ambience A powder keg ready to explode

And when Darryl was 11 years old, it finally did

Explosion was an understatement

It was a typical tension filled day when in a rage Karen Phipps began to rail on Tisha. The screams, thuds and familiar sounds filled the house An 11-year-old Darryl was forced to not only witness but also become an unknowing participant in the horrendous beating death of his sister

At some point during the chaos of the unprovoked attack, Phipps' mother, blinded by rage, forced the terrified Darryl to momentarily hold his struggling 7-year-old sister in place The beating continued on without him, he was too young, too small, too scared to defend his baby sister against the monster bearing down on her.

One life taken One life changed forever One life in a cage

The trial was over before it began The court sentenced Karen Phipps to 99 years in a Texas Penitentiary In the 20 years since that verdict appeals have been made, attempts at freedom have fallen short One appeal sites the improper use of