T J Therien was born May 25th 1968 and grew up in the Greater Toronto Area. T J stopped breathing as a baby when the rings of his trachea constricted requiring a tracheotomy. T J h...view moreT J Therien was born May 25th 1968 and grew up in the Greater Toronto Area. T J stopped breathing as a baby when the rings of his trachea constricted requiring a tracheotomy. T J had stopped breathing for long enough that his parents were warned that there may be significant developmental issues. T J struggled in school, dropping out of school at age fifteen, almost illiterate. T J taught himself to read and write. T J has worked in the Hotel Restaurant Industry, Warehousing and Logistics, Construction and a wide range of odd jobs as well as serving briefly with the 48th Highlanders. T J has battled though substance abuse and bouts of depression using writing as therapy. In 2002 T J relocated to the Eastern Townships in Quebec. In 2014 T J returned to Toronto where he continues to write.view less