The following article contains an exclusive interview with Lauren Kavanaugh, The Girl in the Closet. The Red Ledger’s Liz Schasel was able to attain this interview courtesy of CPS employee Kim Higgins (wife of journalism adviser Brian Higgins).

After an unimaginable childhood permeated with starvation, molestation, sadistic torture and neglect, 20-year-old Lauren Kavanaugh was never a likely candidate for survival. But 12 years later, the girl in the closet has not only survived, but has graduated high school, enrolled in community college, and set her sights on improving the lives of others.

“My passion is to help others that have been abused or something,” Kavanaugh said. “I feel like I can help others by [using] what I have been through.”

To say that Kavanaugh has been through a lot would be a gross understatement by all means.  However, she overcame significant brain atrophy and enrolled in kindergarten at the age of eight, and ended up completing her primary and secondary schooling at an accelerated rate, graduating at the age of 20 – only two years older than the average high school student.

“I feel like the biggest difficulties adapting to public school were that everyone knows everybody and word gets out pretty quick,” Kavanaugh said. “When I was a senior I didn’t have much school work. Plus, I [only had] a few regular classes. Mine were mostly special ed classes.  I kept up with it by just organizing and everything.”

Now a student at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, TX, Kavanaugh is taking developmental classes that include reading and writing. She also expresses interest in getting involved with campus athletics, mentioning that working out was one of her favorite hobbies in high school.

“I was going to participate in softball but I didn’t know when tryouts were, so I’m going to wait until next year,” Kavanaugh said. “I’m also hoping to [join] a swim team. The college doesn’t have [a pool], but the gym has one that I can workout in for free because I go to TVCC.”

Over twelve years have passed since hearts around the nation were first wrenched at the discovery of Kavanaugh’s story. However, she has found herself in the eyes of the media yet again this week, as the Dallas Morning News has produced an eight-part series on her devastating yet inspiring journey.

“It’s hard but it’s also good,” Kavanaugh said. “It’s hard because I’ve been having to deal with the memories and things, but it’s good because I’m hoping it will make people aware of abuse and also hoping that it is helping someone that has been abused to say ‘Hey, she went through all that and now look at her; I can do the same.’”

Kavanaugh looks forward to her future and hopes to move to Austin to finish her degree, live on her own, have a relationship, and continue to enjoy life. The 20-year-old recently got her driver’s license and, like all new drivers, appreciates the freedom that comes with a pair of car keys.

“I enjoy the independence because when I didn’t have my license I didn’t go anywhere. I stayed at home; I never got invited to do things,” Kavanaugh said. “Now I can go and see my friends whenever I want.”

As a thriving survivor of unfathomable abuse, Kavanaugh holds a humbling perspective on life and offers advice to teens for overcoming anything from everyday toils to significant personal problems.

“Life gets better with time,” Kavanaugh said. “Yes, it may be hard right now, but its just another bump in the road. You make the choice to learn from it.”