Comments on: Rachel Ann http://violenceunsilenced.com/rachel-ann/ Violence UnSilenced: Shedding light on domestic violence and sexual abuse/assault by giving survivors a voice. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:19:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Bee http://violenceunsilenced.com/rachel-ann/#comment-6419 Bee Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:43:27 +0000 http://violenceunsilenced.com/?p=640#comment-6419 I love your inspirational lyrics at the end, your rescuer's inspirational uplifting words that sparked your motivation, and the individual you've become Rachel Ann. Thank you for extending us your memory of what was and your celebration of who you are. Onward and upward, May 8, I mark your day and will remember 2010 the remarkable import of the date, and will always know I deserve a partner in life who walks beside me, just as I am, perfect and whole. Thank you Rachel. I love your inspirational lyrics at the end, your rescuer’s inspirational uplifting words that sparked your motivation, and the individual you’ve become Rachel Ann. Thank you for extending us your memory of what was and your celebration of who you are. Onward and upward, May 8, I mark your day and will remember 2010 the remarkable import of the date, and will always know I deserve a partner in life who walks beside me, just as I am, perfect and whole. Thank you Rachel.

]]> By: Antionette http://violenceunsilenced.com/rachel-ann/#comment-6149 Antionette Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:56:01 +0000 http://violenceunsilenced.com/?p=640#comment-6149 Congratulations on your anniversary...I am closer to reaching mine. The dates are different, but the story is eerily the same. I too had my mouth wired shut....but it was at that moment that my voice became the loudest it had ever been. I finally stood up for myself and my 6 year old daughter, who witnessed most of the attack. I am now in a very loving relationship (with a cop no less) who treats me and loves me the way I deserve to be. I am heading back to school to get my nursing degree (something my ex told me I wasn't smart enough to do). My life is my own now. My song to sing is "Stronger Woman" by Jewel. If you get a chance, listen to it. Thank you for sharing. I hope to be able to one day. Congratulations on your anniversary…I am closer to reaching mine. The dates are different, but the story is eerily the same. I too had my mouth wired shut….but it was at that moment that my voice became the loudest it had ever been. I finally stood up for myself and my 6 year old daughter, who witnessed most of the attack.

I am now in a very loving relationship (with a cop no less) who treats me and loves me the way I deserve to be. I am heading back to school to get my nursing degree (something my ex told me I wasn’t smart enough to do).
My life is my own now.

My song to sing is “Stronger Woman” by Jewel. If you get a chance, listen to it.

Thank you for sharing. I hope to be able to one day.

]]> By: FreedomFirst http://violenceunsilenced.com/rachel-ann/#comment-6099 FreedomFirst Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:29:58 +0000 http://violenceunsilenced.com/?p=640#comment-6099 Congratulations on your anniversary. Congratulations on your anniversary.

]]> By: Tatiana http://violenceunsilenced.com/rachel-ann/#comment-6080 Tatiana Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:30:11 +0000 http://violenceunsilenced.com/?p=640#comment-6080 That policeman was a smart one, and I'm so happy you embraced his words. That policeman was a smart one, and I’m so happy you embraced his words.

]]> By: Fran http://violenceunsilenced.com/rachel-ann/#comment-6068 Fran Sun, 16 Aug 2009 18:56:30 +0000 http://violenceunsilenced.com/?p=640#comment-6068 The officer's words were a blessing then and a blessing now. "Don’t lose today. Don’t ever forget that you are strong and powerful and perfect, just the way you are. And anyone who doesn’t believe that and cherish you, every minute of the day, does not deserve to walk with his hand in yours." I'm glad you escaped the path you were on and that you are successfully embracing the joys of life. Thank you for sharing. The officer’s words were a blessing then and a blessing now. “Don’t lose today. Don’t ever forget that you are strong and powerful and perfect, just the way you are. And anyone who doesn’t believe that and cherish you, every minute of the day, does not deserve to walk with his hand in yours.”

I’m glad you escaped the path you were on and that you are successfully embracing the joys of life.

Thank you for sharing.

]]> By: Granny Annie http://violenceunsilenced.com/rachel-ann/#comment-6066 Granny Annie Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:50:12 +0000 http://violenceunsilenced.com/?p=640#comment-6066 Painful but beautifull post. I lived an element of the violence. A good friend lived your level of the violence and I will never forget sitting with her in the hospital after he had worked her over with the claw side of a manner. The incidents are often related on the evening news and I can hear people mumbling, "What doesn't she just leave?". I've never found a good response. Painful but beautifull post. I lived an element of the violence. A good friend lived your level of the violence and I will never forget sitting with her in the hospital after he had worked her over with the claw side of a manner.

The incidents are often related on the evening news and I can hear people mumbling, “What doesn’t she just leave?”. I’ve never found a good response.

]]> By: Anne http://violenceunsilenced.com/rachel-ann/#comment-6064 Anne Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:00:56 +0000 http://violenceunsilenced.com/?p=640#comment-6064 Your entry resonates with me for many reasons. I feel your struggle and your victory. In my own case there were seldom any witnesses and those who did shared his viewpoint that it was my fault for not doing XYZ. I too left my exhusband who in addition was a philanderer. Sadly, i seem to repeat the habit throughout my life. I totally took off for about 7 or 8 years without thought or need of romance until one day I felt it was time (for some unknown reason). The first person I "hitched up" with (we became engaged, what a joke) quickly revealed his abusive side but I made excuses for him, could it have been the medication he took for his MS (steroids). By the time I realized it wasn't it was too late. It was a terrible "extraction" procedure which ended, much as you describe, when he told me it was my fault he was needing a lawyer and to go to court after throwing me to the ground and kicking me. He said it was my fault and when I asked how that was he said "Because you called the police". Duh? Indeed I did but he never got it and never will. He's gone, finally. I'm still moving beyond. Good for you and the wonderful people who came to your aid and for your fortitude and perseverance. Your entry resonates with me for many reasons. I feel your struggle and your victory. In my own case there were seldom any witnesses and those who did shared his viewpoint that it was my fault for not doing XYZ. I too left my exhusband who in addition was a philanderer.

Sadly, i seem to repeat the habit throughout my life. I totally took off for about 7 or 8 years without thought or need of romance until one day I felt it was time (for some unknown reason). The first person I “hitched up” with (we became engaged, what a joke) quickly revealed his abusive side but I made excuses for him, could it have been the medication he took for his MS (steroids). By the time I realized it wasn’t it was too late.

It was a terrible “extraction” procedure which ended, much as you describe, when he told me it was my fault he was needing a lawyer and to go to court after throwing me to the ground and kicking me. He said it was my fault and when I asked how that was he said “Because you called the police”.

Duh? Indeed I did but he never got it and never will. He’s gone, finally. I’m still moving beyond.

Good for you and the wonderful people who came to your aid and for your fortitude and perseverance.

]]> By: Megan http://violenceunsilenced.com/rachel-ann/#comment-6062 Megan Fri, 14 Aug 2009 22:11:33 +0000 http://violenceunsilenced.com/?p=640#comment-6062 Congratulations on choosing YOU. All the best! Congratulations on choosing YOU. All the best!

]]> By: Mama Zen http://violenceunsilenced.com/rachel-ann/#comment-6060 Mama Zen Fri, 14 Aug 2009 20:46:08 +0000 http://violenceunsilenced.com/?p=640#comment-6060 I hope that I can remember this the next time that I'm struggling to bring myself to say what I know needs to be said. Thank you. I hope that I can remember this the next time that I’m struggling to bring myself to say what I know needs to be said.

Thank you.

]]> By: Kay http://violenceunsilenced.com/rachel-ann/#comment-6059 Kay Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:45:07 +0000 http://violenceunsilenced.com/?p=640#comment-6059 What an amazing story... thank you so much for sharing it. I truly hope that police officer knows what an impact he had, that he realizes his words meant so much to a girl in so much pain. Just reading them gave me the chills. Your strength and bravery in getting out and moving on is inspiring - again, thank you so much for sharing it here, where it will be read by someone who needs to read it. What an amazing story… thank you so much for sharing it.
I truly hope that police officer knows what an impact he had, that he realizes his words meant so much to a girl in so much pain. Just reading them gave me the chills.
Your strength and bravery in getting out and moving on is inspiring – again, thank you so much for sharing it here, where it will be read by someone who needs to read it.

]]>