No Bounds: Connecting Pieces
What do my tattoos mean to me? They represent more than anyone could ever understand.
My name is Keyla, and I am so much more than my health conditions, tattoos, or life experiences. However, each of these elements has played a crucial role in my journey, including the permanent marks on my skin. For the past 12 years, I have navigated life with Crohn's Disease, which has led to my permanent ostomy bag. I am also a proud survivor of uterine cancer and a caregiver to a child facing similar challenges.
For as long as I can remember, I have experienced various pains—abdominal discomfort and emotional struggles that often remain hidden from others. There have been moments when my stomach pain felt like an enigma to doctors, a puzzle with no resolution. This confusion became exhausting and, at times, isolating. However, throughout this journey, I found peace in art, music, and dance—until I lost my father at 14, which introduced me to a deeper layer of emotional anguish. That experience shifted my coping mechanisms, often leading me down a path of self-destructive behaviors.
At 18, I discovered something liberating: the ability to take control of my pain. That’s when I fell in love with tattoos. My first piece was a tribute to my dad, and I will always cherish the wave of freedom and relief that washed over me after getting it. It felt essential to mark the hurt and loss I experienced, transforming that pain into something visible.
As my health journey progressed, I realized my tattoos became a beautiful tapestry of my story. I chose to tattoo my left side as my “dark side,” reminiscent of Jekyll and Hyde. Each piece symbolizes different aspects of my journey—pain, fear, strength, mental health, suicide awareness, peace, family, nature, and life. They serve as my means of healing, embracing my experiences, and demonstrating to the world that while pain is part of my existence, so is resilience. Every tattoo is a testament to my path—a reminder of my inner strength through art.
As I accepted my tattoos and the stories they represent, I began to feel a profound sense of empowerment. Each inked design became a source of confidence, reinforcing my resilience. This newfound self-assurance opened doors I never imagined, ultimately leading me to explore modeling. Through this journey, I not only celebrate my body and my experiences but also advocate for self-acceptance and the beauty of embracing our scars, both visible and invisible.
- KEYLA CABA, CONNECTING PIECES.
