Child Abuse Story From
Lucy

This child abuse story from Lucy was originally posted on January 23, 2006.

Lucy is from Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

The following child abuse story from Lucy depicts emotional abuse and physical abuse.

The child abuse effects on Lucy: very low self-esteem, depression and suicidal thoughts

Child Abuse Story From Lucy:

My story begins in childhood, being raised by Portuguese immigrants in the midst of a vast and foreign city: Vancouver, BC.

As a child, I remember the chaos and tension seeming somehow normal – every day, it was there: the screaming, the yelling, the beating, the crying...  It was the same with all my Portuguese friends - we didn't know any different.

I particularly remember sobbing hysterically on my bed one night, at the age of 8, swearing under my breath that I hated my parents.  "Someday," I told myself vehemently, "someday, when I'm old enough, I'll leave and never come back; you'll never have the chance to hurt me again, and you'll never see your grandchildren."

The beatings weren't always severe, but they were there, constantly... a threat...

My father saw fear as a vital part of discipline. After all, through fear he could command respect.

Over the years, I slowly died inside... building up walls and burying the memories.  Just existing...  It was survival.

A few years ago, I almost gave up.  I was in St. Paul's Hospital, in Vancouver, in the midst of my therapy session when I went into shock.  I was suicidal.

My therapist feared I was facing too much, feeling too much, and steering too close to leaving this world.

I chose to stay.

Now, I find myself approaching the age of 30: blessed in my marriage to a wonderful, kind and loving man, and in my family: my two sweet, gentle and loving girls (my cats).

I survived.  I met the man of my dreams and fell in love.  I moved to Kelowna for a new start and I healed much of the pain inside.  And I saw my soul.

Today, I am still learning, still growing, still striving, still trying...

But now I know: I am not alone.  And I am blessed because I have people near who love me and who care for me.  Special people like you...

Thank you, Darlene.

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References

NOTE: Information pages on this site were based on material from the
Canadian Red Cross RespectED Training Program. Written permission was obtained to use their copyrighted material on this site.

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Child abuse story from Lucy was re-formatted June 3, 2015