Deborah Sanchez

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My most recent tattoo is a deeply personal tribute to my late daughter, Jorden. It’s a drawing of an angel—her angel—with her face. My niece, who is a gifted artist, sketched it for me after Jorden died. I had it tattooed on my body not just as a way to honor her memory, but as a symbol of strength and purpose. Jorden was 28 years old. She was my baby, my heart, my everything. Losing her shattered me into a million pieces. But worse than the loss itself was knowing that it didn

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

If my ink could speak, it would whisper stories of survival, strength, and unbreakable love. My tattoos are more than ink; they’re therapy. Each one tells a story of a time I was shattered, broken, and beat down. But like a phoenix, I rise. The pain of the needle mirrors the pain in my heart, but it also brings healing. The artists who ink me are more than friends; they’re healers, helping me transform scars into symbols of resilience.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I win the $25,000, I’ll use it to honor my daughter Jorden’s memory by continuing my fight for justice in her name. The funds will help cover legal expenses as I represent myself in the Ninth Circuit appeals court. I’ll also support mental health and grief resources for families like mine. And of course, I’ll invest in more meaningful ink—because tattoos are my therapy, my voice, and my way of rising from the ashes.