Child Abuse Story From Aleda
by Aleda
(Location Undisclosed)
I grew up in a family of seven. My father had a difficult time holding down a job and, as a result, we moved frequently. One time, I remember, moving into a new city where we did not even have a place to stay lined up. We stayed in a homeless shelter for a few days.
Our financial situation, however, was the least of our problems. My father battled alcoholism. He was abusive towards, my mother and us. I have many memories of his violence and unpredictable outbursts of anger. Memories of calling the police to ask for help. Unfortunately, at that time there were no domestic violence laws and so they would just ask him to leave. He would return as soon as the police left.
There are many examples of his physical abuse towards my mother and us. One incident involving me, however, was when I once tried to answer the door bell and he caught me half way to the door. I was about six years old. He picked me up by the arm and held me some distance from the concrete floor before just allowing me to drop onto it. I remember falling on my side so hard I could not even breathe for a few seconds.
The abuse caused my mother to develop health conditions that would cause her to leave us for lengthy periods of time, alone with our father while she tried to recuperate at her folks' home.
All of us children ended up leaving my parents' home between the ages of 14 and 16. I have been an adult since I was 15 years old and have struggled to make a good life for myself.
Today, by God's grace, I am married with one child and have a successful career. However, I am constantly struggling with health issues such as IBS and anxiety. I also don't always manage stress in the best way and my family has a hard time understanding how my past is affecting my present.
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