Driven

Linda's turbulent early teen years, however, have helped to make her more focused and driven. She is now an active volunteer, helping out at various grassroots organisations.

She said: 'If these things didn't happen to me, I think I might still have been very playful. Life has changed for the better.'

She has chosen to remain single since her ordeal, even though she has guys asking her out.

She said: 'It's like once bitten, twice shy. I'm not in any hurry to get into a relationship.'

This article was first published in The New Paper.