My escape from a lifetime of abuse!
Donation protected
***36 years I have waited for my first abuse free days. They. Have. Been. Glorious!!
Five weeks ago, I ran.....and my life began (I just experienced my first ever peaceful Christmas!)!! I grew up in a physically abusive home in Scandinavia, came to America for college (almost finished with my master's and I can speak several languages!), and married soon after. The abuse escalated in the past six months, and I knew it was now or never, or he would kill me. My entire life I have known nothing but fear and pain. I am ready to learn to live!
During my shelter transfer a few days ago, my car broke down. My car is my life-line...it transports my meager belongings, offers me a place to sleep if needed (even though it gets down into the 20s here some nights, brr!!), and it is what will gets me to court to be free of him. It will also drive me to my new start in life. Without it I am completely at the mercy of strangers. I have already given up my life, home, precious pets, tiny garden, and my few neighbor friends...please help me to keep something familiar.
I have never asked for help from anyone until just recently. I have been sleeping in a shelter, and am now getting some help with food. I HATE not being self-sufficient! My dream is to be completely self sufficient & reliant upon myself while living off-grid in Alaska!
My car bills for towing, diagnosis, and repair are right at $1,000 currently. After my divorce is final, I plan to drive 2,000 miles to my new destination. I will need to set up housing and buy a bed and kitchen essentials. After that I am golden! With my newfound confidence, the lack of abuse, and some support, I know I can do this.
***Written by good friend Jen, with bits added from our discussions over the past few years. She would be scared to write this and would never toot her own horn like I have. What SHE is still lacking in confidence....I have for her! This girl is AMAZING and will move mountains with just a little support. She is oh so loving and kind. Please, at the very least, send her a heartfelt message of support!
She is also winging this divorce without a lawyer. Her hub is trying to stick her with all of his debts (ridiculous...but when one can use more funds to secure legal counsel, one can generally get farther. She has no way to pay a lawyer (she has lived on her allowance of just $20/wk for her food and thrift clothes for her entire marriage). If anyone knows of free legal help/tips, please let me know! Please message me through here with anything else that may be helpful. We can also send direct payment to the garage if you prefer.
Thanks to everyone who has read this!
Five weeks ago, I ran.....and my life began (I just experienced my first ever peaceful Christmas!)!! I grew up in a physically abusive home in Scandinavia, came to America for college (almost finished with my master's and I can speak several languages!), and married soon after. The abuse escalated in the past six months, and I knew it was now or never, or he would kill me. My entire life I have known nothing but fear and pain. I am ready to learn to live!
During my shelter transfer a few days ago, my car broke down. My car is my life-line...it transports my meager belongings, offers me a place to sleep if needed (even though it gets down into the 20s here some nights, brr!!), and it is what will gets me to court to be free of him. It will also drive me to my new start in life. Without it I am completely at the mercy of strangers. I have already given up my life, home, precious pets, tiny garden, and my few neighbor friends...please help me to keep something familiar.
I have never asked for help from anyone until just recently. I have been sleeping in a shelter, and am now getting some help with food. I HATE not being self-sufficient! My dream is to be completely self sufficient & reliant upon myself while living off-grid in Alaska!
My car bills for towing, diagnosis, and repair are right at $1,000 currently. After my divorce is final, I plan to drive 2,000 miles to my new destination. I will need to set up housing and buy a bed and kitchen essentials. After that I am golden! With my newfound confidence, the lack of abuse, and some support, I know I can do this.
***Written by good friend Jen, with bits added from our discussions over the past few years. She would be scared to write this and would never toot her own horn like I have. What SHE is still lacking in confidence....I have for her! This girl is AMAZING and will move mountains with just a little support. She is oh so loving and kind. Please, at the very least, send her a heartfelt message of support!
She is also winging this divorce without a lawyer. Her hub is trying to stick her with all of his debts (ridiculous...but when one can use more funds to secure legal counsel, one can generally get farther. She has no way to pay a lawyer (she has lived on her allowance of just $20/wk for her food and thrift clothes for her entire marriage). If anyone knows of free legal help/tips, please let me know! Please message me through here with anything else that may be helpful. We can also send direct payment to the garage if you prefer.
Thanks to everyone who has read this!
Organizer
Jennifer Vander Linden Rhodes
Organizer
Wiggins, MS
