October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we have been sharing practical tips to recognize abuse and help survivors. Today we’re sharing a story from a survivor who reached out to us during her time of greatest need:
“In January, my life changed. I have been married to my abusive husband for 6 years. In the last 3, things had changed before my very eyes. I left my ex twice before the end of the year, but went back each time.
I had spent months preparing myself to leave. All of my items were organized into what I could and couldn’t live without. I was always waiting for the next instant that the shoe would drop and that I would either be homeless, hurt worse, or lose myself even more.
That evening, my husband started yelling at me and said the worst words imaginable. I ran up the stairs, locked my door, and barricaded myself in the room with my suitcase that had the clothes I deemed necessary. I had spent months calling shelters. I didn’t know what else to do.
I don’t know what made me call Able SC that day, but I’m so glad I did. The woman who answered listened to me. I remember saying, ‘I don’t know if you can help me, but I don’t think I can stay where I am anymore.’ She didn’t interrogate me. She believed me within an instant.
That’s all it took. Within an hour, an Uber was picking me up and taking me away from that house. Away from the emotional abuse, away from the screaming, and somewhere even scarier. To the unknown.
She stayed with me the whole time. Checking in through the perils of finding a hotel, getting settled, and then having to relocate again due to technical problems. When I finally got to my hotel, I collapsed onto the comfortable bed, where I was finally safe. I called Able SC back, and they immediately told me they were so happy I was safe and that they would be in touch about my next steps. But, for the time being, I had a warm bed, a door that locked, and my abusive husband had no idea where I was.
The next few days felt like years, but I was safe. I was processing. I was making calls to find out where I could go next. I didn’t know anything about laws or rights for people who are disabled. I was clueless. I just knew I had been rejected from so many places; I didn’t know where to turn. Able continued to advocate for me until I had a bed waiting for me at a local domestic violence shelter.
If Able SC hadn’t helped me that night, I honestly don’t believe I’d be here.
I’m now in an apartment I rent, learning to laugh again, able to keep a relationship with all my local providers for my medical conditions, and continuing to grow and thrive.
Since moving into my apartment, they have helped me build independent living skills, access resources, and feel like I belong. I never thought I’d still be actively working with them after all this time. However, the kindness each employee at Able SC has shown and continues to show me means more than anything else.”
– A.E.
You can be a part of creating safe spaces for people with disabilities escaping violence. Join us in equipping them with the tools they need to lead successful, independent lives. Consider making a donation to Able SC in honor of survivors of domestic violence today and help us honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month: able-sc.org/donate.
Learn more about our services: https://www.able-sc.org/get-support/violenceprevention/