Dear Lenny,

Thank you for the gentle welcome.

It takes all kinds of support and help to heal, for sure. After my escape for indeed I did finally escape, I volunteered for several years as a crisis counselor. In giving back for that was what I was trying to do, I found even more healing.

I remember one woman in particular who was enduring unspeakable abuse. her partner beat her regularly with a dog chain among other items. She had endured it for years. they had a child together and the abuse had began to spread to the child. There was a horrible sense of desperation to reach her to instill some kind of hope.

In the end I found something that clicked and reached her. She and the child escaped to a shelter. You can't imagine the joy and happiness I felt to hear even this one woman found her courage to leave. Yippee!

Judy