MY STORY

I’ve had multiple black eyes, busted ribs and was pushed off of a 2-story balcony while I was pregnant. So YES…I don’t just talk the talk as a motivational speaker; I’ve actually LIVED it!

It starting after I graduated. I was so in love. He was my everything. He was the love of my life....he was perfect! Not too long after that the abuse started. At first, it was the yelling…then I was being slapped and kicked and punched more times than I could remember. I was constantly told by the man who loved me "I'm sorry; I didn't mean it; look at what YOU made me do". In my mind I even started thinking..."What am I doing wrong for him to treat me this way; next time I'll do better." At work, I had a wonderful way of covering up my bruises…MAKE UP! I kept my hair long, my head down and made little to no eye contact with my co-workers. I wanted help; to have someone to say something, but no one ever did. I figured maybe they knew and didn't want to get involved or they just didn't care.

One evening after over 5 yrs. of trying and wanting to get out of this abusive relationship…it happened. Dinner was on the table and the kids were asleep. This was the beginning of the BIGGEST change in my life. After dinner (like always) he would start drinking and yelling at me for no reason. I ran to try and hide but he pushed me down ...started punching, slapping and beating my head on the floor. When I was able to get him off of me I turned over and in the hallway looking down at me with the saddest brown eyes was my 6 yr old son. He was not crying, yelling, or looking shocked at what was happening, he just had a blank look on his face. I snapped! I became enraged and I fought back. By this time the police were called and on their way. I grabbed a weapon and went after him. With one eye closed and the other I could barely see with; we ended up outside, the police had their guns in hand and a female officer walked up to me and said “it’s over” don’t worry…”it’s really over” please put the weapon down. I stood there looking at him on the ground pleading for his life. I started thinking what am I doing? How could I have let my life turn out this way? What am I going to do now?

Today…I stand firm in my faith in God, 3 kids (my oldest daughter DID survive from me being push off the balcony) and I'm truly loved. MY story is just a fraction of what others have gone through; WE ARE SURVIVOR’S!! We maybe Bruised but we're NOT Broken.