Help my mom reclaim her life from her abuser

Aloha my friends and family,

It’s quite sad to have gotten to this point; however, it is with a heavy heart that I reach out to you today.

If you know me, you know the unshakable strength, quick wit, adventurous spirit, and immeasurable love my mom pours into everyone she meets.

She’s wildly independent and doesn’t typically ask for help… So coming to this and reaching out to her community for help… Well, it just seems like it’s our last resort.

My mom has been through an unimaginable ordeal in the past few years and is reaching a breaking point as she fights to save her home from her abuser. Anyone would do anything for their mom, so here I am humbly asking for your support. 

Over the past few years, my mom has been a victim of domestic violence. Given a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, my once outgoing mother now suffers severe panic attacks, requiring two emergency room treatments. In addition to assault, she has endured years of narcissistic abuse.  

She was granted protection through a Relief of Abuse restraining order at an uncontested trial. Her presented evidence of photos, videos, and audio files of personal and animal abuse resulted in his immediate forcible eviction by a Superior Court Judge.  

Although he was never allowed back in the house, the torment did not stop. He continued to trespass on her property and harass her at work.  

If this was not enough, he leveled a lawsuit against her for nearly three years. Additionally in the lawsuit he claimed she promised to sell HER house and give him the profits to “buy a charter boat in Aruba.” If that is not the stupidest thing I have ever heard, I don’t know what is.  

This has been a frivolous and vexatious lawsuit. Her efforts to maintain her safety (those guard dogs and security measures were expensive!) have financially drained her. My mom just retired from being a special education teacher for 40 years. She has saved her entire life to enjoy her retirement, and this monster has depleted her of her entire savings.

Her entire savings account, retirement fund, everything…gone due to his lawsuit against her. (I.e. medical bills, legal fees, therapy bills, and safety precautions)

I am reaching out to you today to ask for your kindness and support. The emotional, physical, and financial toll this situation has taken on her is unimaginable. My once wild-spirited, adventurous mother is unrecognizable. She declines social events, has retreated from her friends, and no longer leaves the house without an escort.

My mom is a tough and strong woman who does not ask for help. But tough and strong people sometimes need their community to love and support them.

This GoFundMe will go directly to hospital and medical expenses, therapy, security and safety measures, and staggering legal fees.

Thank you for taking the time to read her story. Any support - whether it be through a donation, sharing my campaign, or simply sending love - means the world to us.

I’ve watched my mom take care of everyone she loves, and hopefully everyone can hold her up through this.

With deepest gratitude and warmest Aloha,

Michelle Manganello