It started in 2007 when I thought I married the love of life, but things immediately took a turn for the worse. My husband was suffering from PTSD and was self medicating. As a survivor of rape who has PTSD myself, knew it was possible with counseling and hard work that he could get better.  I was already in treatment at The Metropolitan Center for Women and Children, I asked them for help while we got him into the V.A. System. Despite the best efforts of myself and therapist, the relationship became one of domestic violence. 
           I soon found myself isolated from my friends and family, my movements restricted and constantly questioned. The verbal abuse was vicious and heartbreaking.  Often I was prevented from sleeping. His abuse of prescription drugs and alcohol also meant there was no money for my needs. He used credit cards to support his habits but for me, that meant no clothing, no groceries, no transportation and frequent late and unpaid bills.  Even having my own account without his name on it didn't stop him from helping himself.  As the years went on I was constantly threatened with physical violence & homelessness if I spoke out. Specifically "I will take your car, I will take the house, I will take the dog, then I will take you."  He said no one would believe me and he could use the courts to do it.
                       Shockingly, he is doing just that.
    The last physical assault took place on October 18, 2012. I called the police and left. Still he was given one more chance to accept the free help he was offered to get better. After several more incidents I was left no choice but to file for divorce in May of 2013.
             This is where I now need your help. The cost of escaping this hell is immense. $2,700 for medical documentation, $75 for the 911 call, $25 for police reports, $250 an hour for an attorney. There will be moving and storage expenses as he is using the court to make  good on his threats. I no longer have a car and soon the house will be in foreclosure. 
             In Louisana divorce is done in parts. Pro bono agencies only do the first part- the divorce, that is the actual desolving of the specific marriage contract. I have already spent all I have doing that part. The next part is separation of property and addressing the issue of support. Without an attorney I will be held accountable for the financial damage he created. Also I need spousal support because I am disabled.  My mother took care of me before  I was married, but is no longer able. I do everything I can for myself and work very hard,  but there are somethings my brain just doesn't do. 
             Please help me to end this nightmare!
If by some miracal this legal endeavor ends under budget, any remaining funds will be donated to the Metropolitan Center for Women and Children.