Child Abuse Story From Heath

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Child Abuse Story From Heath

by Heath
(New Jersey, USA)

It all started when I was nine years old. My parents got divorced, so I had the choice to go live with my mom or my dad (at the time I was living with my dad...my mom had left). My dad had been going through some hard times, we all were.

Me and my sister are not close at all. She’s perfect, hair body, grades, pretty much her whole life is my dream. Me and my life have been really hard. Not good grades, not perfect body...but my dad didn’t see how hard I was trying so I’d bring home a bad paper from school and he’d throw me on the ground, kick me, hit me, pull me by my hair. All I could think was I didn’t think anything was this bad to make him do this to me. I kept thinking it was my fault. So, a few months later I decided to go live with my mom. My dad didn’t like that too much and I’m suffering it now. So by my 13th birthday, my mom had me selling drugs for her and giving up my body for her addiction.

One day I finally had enough. I told her I wasn’t going to do this no more and if she made me I would tell. I got the s*** kicked out of me that night.

So for my 15th birthday, I decided to get away from everyone and visit my cousins for Fourth of July and spend the weekend with them. They thought that was fine...little did I know I was never going to see my mom again. I was stuck living with my cousins. I guess in the long run my life turned itself upside down and I’m much happier now than I have been in years. I’m so grateful for my cousins taking me in.

Note from Darlene: The volume of contributor submissions has now made it impossible for me to comment personally (especially in great detail) on each and every contribution. If I haven't left you a comment or one that is in-depth, please do not take my lack of a personal response as a slight, or as a statement that your story is somehow unworthy of my time. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, could be further from the truth. If there was a way for me to respond to all of you at length, I would.

Email addresses, phone numbers, home addresses AND website/blog URLs in visitor comments are STRICTLY prohibited, and could result in being banned from making further comments on this site.

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Child Abuse Story From Heath

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Jun 02, 2009

You have such loving, caring cousins...
by: Darlene Barriere - Webmaster

Heath, you may think your sister is "perfect", but no one is. Each of you is an individual. Each of you is unique. Each of you have your own personal qualities. Each of you has your own character, good traits as well as flaws. That is the nature of being human. So instead of comparing yourself to your sister, focus on your positive attributes. Don't for one second believe that your dad is right for mistreating you because you didn't measure up to your sister. The fact is your father is seriously troubled. Rather than recognize how special you really are (yes, you ARE special), he instead lashed out at you. THAT isn't your fault.

I'm delighted you are now in a safe place, and that neither your mother nor father is in a position to hurt you now. Yes, I would say that in the long run you're in a better place because of your loving and caring cousins. It shows there are still families out there who are willing to step in when other family members step out of line with their children. I applaud and commend your cousins.

The other thing about your story that stood out for me was the fact that even at a young age you understood that it was inappropriate for your father to have beaten you for a failing paper. (Indeed, a beating is ALWAYS inappropriate.) That tells me you still have a good self-esteem. So many children who have been beaten believe they deserved it. You DIDN't deserve to get beaten, no matter what; and the fact that you get that is such a good thing. I applaud and commend you too, Heath. You deserve to be in a happy environment.

Thank you for sharing your story with my visitors and me.

Darlene Barriere
Webmaster: www.child-abuse-effects.com
Violence & Abuse Prevention Educator
Author: On My Own Terms, A Memoir

Jun 02, 2009

know you are loved begin to love yourself more each day.
by: maurice

Heath, Darlene's site, great you found it and told your story to her and her visitors. But to her Heath is all that matter because she has given you loving words of support and encouragement to Always believe in yourself. Your self esteem and worth are so important to you so build on your already acceptance of yourself. As being special, unique, love the real me in you all of the time. Intelligent, highly gifted at expressing your feelings (honest) Heath, think positive thoughts about yourself, act positive and be confident carrying out what you know and decide what is the best for you. You've come through alot which you did not deserve to come through. It was not your fault. Great your cousins saw that you needed to be loved and cared for. You are much happier in yourself so Heath live well, laugh alot and love much. Hi look in that mirror and talk to that wonderful and beautiful Me in it. Say I can accomplish anything I want in my life. With a little bit of love and help from my cousins and friends. I can, I will, I must do it all for me. Then I will be better able to love others and help others because I understand better.

Jun 03, 2009

Happy for you.........
by: Judy

Hello Heath - I am saddened by what you had to experience at the hands of those who are supposed to love, nuture, and protect you. However, I am so happy that you ended up with loving family members. Stay strong, focused, and always be encouraged. Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your life! Judy

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Child Abuse Story From Heath

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Child Abuse Story From Heath