Help My Mother-in-Law Rebuild After a Brutal Domestic Assault

Hi, my name is Kristina Harrelson, and I’m starting this GoFundMe on behalf of my mother-in-law, Joelyn Harrelson, who is currently in the hospital recovering from a horrific act of domestic violence.

Just days ago, her husband of 32 years — the man she trusted for most of her life — brutally attacked her, leaving her with a broken orbital socket and a fractured nose. She’s scheduled for surgery soon, and I’ve been by her side in the hospital since it happened, trying to help her through this nightmare. Watching someone you love go through this kind of pain is indescribable.

She is deeply embarrassed about the situation, even though she has no reason to be. She spent decades in a controlling and emotionally abusive relationship, where she wasn’t allowed to work the last 5 years unless the job was approved by him (none of them were), wasn’t allowed to have her own money, and was slowly stripped of her independence. Now, after surviving this violent assault, she is left with nothing — no income, no savings, no home of her own — and the long road to healing ahead of her.

Her husband is in jail, but she’s still left to pick up the pieces of her life with little more than the clothes she had on when she was brought to the ER.

Basic Living Costs: Rent, groceries, utilities — the essentials she hasn’t had to manage alone in decades.

Legal & Counseling Services: Help with restraining orders, legal fees, and therapy to support her emotional healing.

She is a strong woman, but right now she needs help — and we need your support to give her a chance at a safe, independent future.

If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this campaign. Every little bit — whether it's $5, $50, or simply spreading the word — helps her take one step closer to safety and healing.

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping give Joelyn hope when she needs it most.

With love and gratitude,

Kristina Harrelson

(Daughter-in-law of Joelyn Harrelson)