What Would You Do If Someone Told You That You Technically Don’t Exist

May 18th, 2015

What what you do if legally, you didn’t exist?

That’s exactly the hellish sort of predicament Alecia Pennington has found herself in. This 19-year-old from Texas, is by all accounts, a living, breathing human being. But all of that doesn’t seem to matter because according to the U.S government, she’s not real’ Alecia does not exist. According to the U.S. Government, Alicia was never born, has never existed, and may never legally be considered a citizen of the country she was born in.

What would anyone living in the present age of technology do when faced with such dire circumstances? Take to the internet, of course!

Here’s a little more information on Alecia:

Alecia had a home birth and parents never filed for a birth certificate afterwards. Because of that, she has never received a social security number.

Alecia's parents never filed for a birth certificate after her home birth. Therefore, she has never received a social security number.

Alecia grew up home schooled. This isn’t particularly surprising considering the fact that her parents are leaders of the Texas Home School Coalition. Since she was never enrolled in a school, she technically has no school record. Furthermore, no hospitals have her on file, as her parents forbade her to be treated outside the house.

Her parents, leaders of the Texas Home School Coalition, had her homeschooled, so she technically has no school record. No hospitals have her on file, as her parents forbade her to be treated outside the house.

All of this has resulted in Alecia being unable to prove her existence to the government. “I am now 19 years old and unable to get a driver’s license, get a job, go to college, get on a plane, get a bank account, vote,” she explains.

Due to this, Alecia can't prove her existence to the government. "I am now 19 years old and unable to get a driver's license, get a job, go to college, get on a plane, get a bank account, vote," she explains.

In desperate search of aid, Alecia took to the Internet and released an emotional video begging for help and for guidance. She also wants to reach out to other people who suffer the same kind of “identification abuse” from their parents.

If you’re interested in viewing the video, just search ‘Alecia Pennington’ and it’ll come up.

Soon afterwards, Alecia’s video went viral, calling much needed attention to this issue in the homeschooling community. Apparently, at least 135 other people in the country have experienced something similar to Alecia, and more seem to reach out every day.

If think you can help Alecia, or know someone dealing with similar problems of identity, she urges you to email her at helpmeproveit@gmail.com.