Child Abuse Story From Patricia

by Patricia Johnson Grosse
(North Ridgeville, Ohio, USA)

I was the victim of terrible child abuse. My father was an alcoholic. He abused my mother, sisters, and me. My third sister was only 9 months old when he shoved her off the top step. My sister broke her left shoulder. A year later, he shoved her off again. This time she suffered an identical injury to her right shoulder. She suffered brain damage at some point. She was very bright as a toddler. My sister is now mentally retarded, and she has agoraphobia and panic disorders. I myself was almost hung at age 8. My father went into a rage over nothing. He grabbed hold of me, tore down a clothesline, then made a noose out the rope. He placed the noose around my head. If it weren't for my younger sister, I would have died. My mother heard me crying out, then rescued me. She called the police, but the police did nothing.

When my mother was 9 months pregnant with my youngest sister, my father kicked her in the stomach, and then stabbed her under her right breast. She broke 2 ribs. My mother ended up carrying my sister for another 6 weeks. My sister survived and is now a beautiful woman.

My father left in May 1968. Before being gone for good, he tried to break into the house, but I managed to block the door. My grandmother called the police. When the police arrived, they had a warrant for his arrest. I cut my feet from the broken glass. He never returned after that. My mother raised the 4 of us to be happy, productive women. We lived normal lives with no more abuse.

After nearly 40 years, my father contacted me, wanting me to call him. I have forgiven my father for the abuse. However, I can not trust him after the horrific abuse I suffered as a child. I don't remember what he looks like. I just want to remember the happy years after he left, the happy years with my mother, my sisters, and my maternal grandparents. My father's family is a wonderful family. I do not blame them for my father's abuse.

If any one is in an abusive situation, please get out fast. I have witnessed abuse. You can save yourself, but you have to get away from the abuser. They generally do not change.

I lost my mother to cervical cancer in 1989. She acquired syphilis from my father. The doctor believed the cancer was from the syphilis.

I am happily married to a wonderful man who was raised by a wonderful mother. There is hope.

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