mtd,,, you mirror my own feelings... there was a time, when I would rather have died than admit I was abused, I am so thankful for therapy. That includes the abuse by my husband.

There are times though when I feel that educating other people is a daunting task - but I continue onward.

I was talking to another woman yesterday, she is trying to raise money for her emotional support service dog. We had found each other thru a website thru her fund raising effort... Anyhow, we both feel that the area of the US where we live is so extremely conservative - abuse hidden and it's lingering after effects never to be acknowledged - to be kept in "the family".
Since her service dog is for the emotional support - and it also detects when she is about to pass out from stress of being around the public- she has found very few people that understand and are willing to help.
So for me, I have this great need to educate so that others will get the support they need. It helps me with my own recovery.
Since there are no more secrets for me, there is such a lessing of the shame..