Finding Our Voice, Sharing Our Vision
Ending Violence Against Women and Children
Survivor's Stories
My twin, Jerry, and I are the youngest of fifteen children. I was the only girl. Jerry was Mom’s favorite
because he was a boy. I am learning disabled and needed extra help growing up. I was picked on by kids in school
and labeled "retarded."
I never knew my father. I met him once in 1972, but was introduced to him as Donald. I asked my older
brother, James, who he was. He told me that he was my "sperm donor."
I never saw him again.
My mother mentally and physically abused me. She always told me that no one would ever want me because I would
never be worth anything. She locked me in a closet in my bedroom and placed a dresser in front of the door. While
in there, I was only allowed to eat oranges or grapefruits. To this day, I cannot eat citrus foods as they cause
sores in my mouth. more -->
I was born in Slovenia. We came here when I was 11. I saw my father beat my mother
and put her in the hospital I do not know how many times.
I was going through a real hard period in my life. My mom and dad spoke hardly any
English. They married my sister off to an older man and that left me.
My dad would not let me bring any friends home. Ever since I can remember, he beat my
mom. To me, it was her fault. I thought if she would shut up he would stop. I did not know
that even if she did, he would keep on beating her. more -->
The abuse in my life did not
start with me. I believe it started with my great grandmother. I remember how her vacant
eyes somehow frightened me. Though she seemed to observe everything that went on, her face
remained expressionless. My mother told me stories of the molestation she endured at the
hands of her step-grandfather. My mother was not his only victim. My great grandmother had
two daughters. Both married violent men. My mother told a story once of her father beating
her mother with his fists and her mother biting him on the chest in self defense. My mother
still has the bump on her nose where her uncle had broken it with his fist.
more -->