@NariahB

2 years ago

This song gets to me every time. I still sing my heart out to it when it comes on. I'm a survivor of severe domestic abuse. I've had a broken spine, crushed wind pipe, broken bruised ribs, and collar bone. I've been choked out, beaten, tossed down a flight of stairs when I was 8 months pregnant, had my fair share of ICU stays and he would still manage to bail out and come back. He would do worse than before and then I was told if I reported it again I wouldn't even make it to ICU. I had been isolated from my family and friends, lived several hours away from anyone that I thought could help me. But the day the abuse was aimed at my then 9-month-old son (He picked him up and threw him at me like a rag doll) I found the courage to leave. He's the kind of person that changes the doorknobs inside out so when I would get "in trouble" I'd be locked in the room, or while he went to work. I am a firm believer that I would have been dead if I stayed any longer. My son saved my life. I believe that with all my heart. I had to wait until he was asleep, his mother helped me hide my son. I left with the clothes on my back and a backpack with any important paperwork. My siblings drove 6 hours to come to rescue me. I had to force my brother to just drive off after I got in the car and he saw that my eyes were bruised shut and I couldn't speak because my windpipe was crushed. He was so controlling that he drove out those six hours to my family's home with a shotgun to kill me and kill himself. Thankfully my father and brother were both there. This was almost 20 years ago and I still have anxiety attacks and PTSD from the physical abuse, rape, and mental trauma that I endured. But I am a Survivor. He was not a part of my child's life for many years until my son got older and never paid child support. I worked three jobs, went to school full time, became a psychologist to help others that have been through trauma, and continue to do so. I have since gotten married and had two children with the man that is "dad" to my son. HE raised him with me. HE paid for all his expenses, HE loves him as one of his own. That is what a Father should be. Sorry I got long-winded there.

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