Helping Max and David’s healing
Donation protected
***edited to add*** PLEASE READ OUR STORY ♥️Shortly after James Paul’s arrest, I tried to commit suicide a few days later, for which I was hospitalized up until June 19th.
Max and David are staying with their family friends for some part of this summer while I’m trying to flee this toxic environment in such close proximity to the quite toxic family members related to said abuser. On June 30, my lease will be up and I cannot afford a market value apartment as my income is only a lowly $714 a month total. That is it. The reasoning for my goal amount is to buy time for maybe 5-6 months so I can establish safe housing, counseling, and childcare while I find a part time job to support all of us. My significant chose to move back to his home state, so no access to a car. Life is in free fall, and we all need more help now more than ever. The kids miss me, but I can’t have them in this environment any longer especially with no access to a vehicle.
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On April 29th, I was released from treatment for postpartum depression. I came home to greet my kids, and upon picking my son up from the care of his father, James Paul Ferrell, I discovered from looking in on the open screen door that he was viewing porn on his phone with our 5 year old son sitting next to him within his line of sight.
I wanted to take the right course of action because I have reported him before, but because of the area I was living to at the time, the system failed my kids. At the time my reputation was ruined, I was ostracized from my community, and physically threatened. For a long time until I was able to relocate, it was a difficult existence.
Upon talking to my support network openly, my oldest (as teenagers do) eavesdropped on the conversation, then comes into the room and tells us that my ex husband, his former step-father (my oldest recently came out as transgender) had exploited him by showing him pornography, giving him a non-consensual massage whilst touching his rear end around the time I gave birth on Halloween of last year. He was scared to come forward because he was scared of the ex husband and his new wife.
I contact everyone from law enforcement, CPS, taken a DVP out on him, contacted my therapist, and my 5 year old’s school therapy team and try the best that I can to seek justice for them. I was also discovered through therapy that the 5 year old exhibited very troublesome signs of sexual abuse.
Even with all of this, we still have to live next to them as they live right across the parking lot from us, so close that our parking spots are 3 away from one another. James’ father also live 3 doors down from me, and has harassed us only openly as well.
I am disabled, and I myself have limited resources. My wish is to leave where we reside as soon as humanly possible. My income has dropped significantly recently and I am trying to find part-time work within walking distance, but I haven’t had any luck as of yet. My children need access to services for sexual trauma and PTSD as well as myself. My oldest, who goes by Max, and his needs are dire for he just came out as trans a little over a month and a half ago. He lost all of his friends at school because his Montessori school were uncomfortable with him being openly trans there and now he is homeschooled. I personally believe the dysphoria was a bit exacerbated by what had transpired and is so self-conscious.
He fears going outside, wears layers upon layers of clothing, and feels so much guilt and anxiety about what is going on around him. Recently they were stalked by James and his wife’s vehicle in our apartment complex last week when I let them get a snack and drink nearby. They had been cooped up for a week only to be stalked by him. Just adding insult to the injury.
James does not care about Max, the pain he has inflicted on him and David.
He has back-peddled his confession to me in front of the court he did in fact view pornography in court. Max has also opened up about the wife saying inappropriate things to Max in reference to viewing inappropriate material, as well.
His wife has attempted to smooth things over in order for our shared 5 year old to continue to visit, and assure me that he has no access to electronics. He was seen only a day ago walking around with a cellphone.
I cannot stress how much the kids need a new, fresh start more now than ever before. They do not need to be In close proximity to their abusers and family members.Their health, especially Max’s health, is everything right now. There’s an alarmingly high instance of transgender people who attempt suicide and I want the best that I can provide to get him treatment.
My income is around $900 at best a month now. I have raised $235 on my own to put towards moving to a place we can all begin the process of healing. I know there’s a lot of opinions about people like me who do these fundraising efforts, but I’m concerned anymore because it’s for them and I’m doing the very best that I can. I only hope I can pay it forward in the future. Please share this far and wide, because even a few bucks will help so much. I am not ignorant to people’s struggles as I have lived a life a struggle, myself, but a little can add up to more than a lot if it means a brighter future for my children who have endured so much already. Thank you for all your love and kindness.
Organizer
Shannon Ferrell
Organizer
Charleston, WV
