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Oprah once said, "The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude." This is especially true for survivors of domestic violence. These women have faced some of the darkest times in their lives, and yet they continue to fight—not just for themselves, but for their children, their families, and their future.
These women are warriors, and they deserve to be celebrated. That's why I'm so excited to share this story with you. This is the story of a woman who has been through more than most of us could ever imagine, and yet she has come out the other side stronger than ever. She is proof that there is life after domestic violence—a life of beauty, hope, and dreams come true.
I first met Tina (not her real name) at a domestic violence shelter. She was one of the newer residents, and she was very quiet. She would sit in the corner during group discussions, and she never spoke up. I could tell she was holding a lot in, and I wondered what her story was.
One day, I asked her if she wanted to talk. She hesitated at first, but then she opened up and started talking. And once she started talking, she couldn't stop. She told me about the abuse she had endured at the hands of her husband—the physical abuse, the mental abuse, the emotional abuse. She told me about the night he had almost killed her, and how she had only survived by play-acting like she was already dead. She told me about how he had threatened her children, and how she had been living in fear for years.
But Tina didn't just tell me about the abuse. She also told me about her dreams—the dreams she had for herself and her children. She wanted to go back to school and get a degree so that she could get a good job and provide for her kids. She wanted to buy a house and live in a safe neighborhood. She wanted her kids to grow up happy and healthy. And most of all, she wanted to be free—free from the fear that had controlled her life for so long.
I was so inspired by Tina's story. Here was a woman who had been through hell and back, and yet she was still fighting—not just for herself, but for her children's future as well. I knew then that I wanted to help her achieve her dreams—and that's exactly what I did.
Tina's story is proof that there is life after domestic violence—a life of beauty where dreams can still come true. These women are warriors, and they deserve our support as they rebuild their lives. If you or someone you know is a survivor of domestic violence, know that you are not alone—and know that there is help available.
You can reach out to us.
Together we can end domestic violence!