Comments on: Write To the Women of CWAA http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/articles/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/ Behind the scenes of the award-winning, domestic violence documentary SIN BY SILENCE. Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:14:50 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Judith Reed http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/articles/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/comment-page-1/#comment-9836 Judith Reed Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:51:47 +0000 http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/#comment-9836 I by chance to find your documentary this evening. I was in prison for 19 months...not for domestic violence per se, but in an effort to avoid 'another night', I had to enable my then husband's drug addiction and add refills to the prescription for Vicodin I got from the emergency room because of injuries from a 'bad' night. He told me to alter the prescription-I had no choice...or else. I know many women in prison who are there for life or decades because they finally 'stood up for themselves' and killed their husbands. Life sentences regardless of the long list of 911 calls from the neighbors, calls they made themselves, emergency room visits ad infinium. The amazing thing? men generally get sentences of 10 years or lower because their crime murdering their wives was a 'CRIME OF PASSION' but that law does not extend to the BATTERED WOMEN.!!! I am in Texas, and it is especially harsh on the women. Please, direct me wherever I need to go to aid and free these women from the second prison they are in-yet finally feel free. I by chance to find your documentary this evening. I was in prison for 19 months…not for domestic violence per se, but in an effort to avoid ‘another night’, I had to enable my then husband’s drug addiction and add refills to the prescription for Vicodin I got from the emergency room because of injuries from a ‘bad’ night. He told me to alter the prescription-I had no choice…or else. I know many women in prison who are there for life or decades because they finally ‘stood up for themselves’ and killed their husbands. Life sentences regardless of the long list of 911 calls from the neighbors, calls they made themselves, emergency room visits ad infinium. The amazing thing? men generally get sentences of 10 years or lower because their crime murdering their wives was a ‘CRIME OF PASSION’ but that law does not extend to the BATTERED WOMEN.!!! I am in Texas, and it is especially harsh on the women. Please, direct me wherever I need to go to aid and free these women from the second prison they are in-yet finally feel free.

]]> By: Melanie Jean http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/articles/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/comment-page-1/#comment-9712 Melanie Jean Sat, 10 Dec 2011 02:08:10 +0000 http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/#comment-9712 My husband of 20 years is an expert button-pusher. He picked a fight. I got arrested for defending myself. I spent 3 days in jail [my worst nightmare], bailed out, and pleaded no contest. [Although I could've called several witnesses to describe how he has repeatedly picked fights with them as well. But if I lost the case I'd do a year or more in prison. I couldn't risk that.] So, I'm on 3 years' informal probation, paying heavy fines & fees, plus 40hrs community service [Habitat for Humanity ReStore], and a year of Domestic Violence classes. We watched your video in today's meeting. Your message is clear: Get OUT. I will add that the "Law" will not protect victims of abuse- especially verbal/psychological abuse, where wounds and scars do not show. I can defend myself physically [and get arrested for it?!] but I can't defend myself emotionally/mentally. My husband of 20 years is an expert button-pusher. He picked a fight. I got arrested for defending myself. I spent 3 days in jail [my worst nightmare], bailed out, and pleaded no contest. [Although I could've called several witnesses to describe how he has repeatedly picked fights with them as well. But if I lost the case I'd do a year or more in prison. I couldn't risk that.] So, I’m on 3 years’ informal probation, paying heavy fines & fees, plus 40hrs community service [Habitat for Humanity ReStore], and a year of Domestic Violence classes. We watched your video in today’s meeting. Your message is clear: Get OUT. I will add that the “Law” will not protect victims of abuse- especially verbal/psychological abuse, where wounds and scars do not show. I can defend myself physically [and get arrested for it?!] but I can’t defend myself emotionally/mentally.

]]> By: Pamela Bensinger http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/articles/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/comment-page-1/#comment-9327 Pamela Bensinger Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:22:23 +0000 http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/#comment-9327 I just saw the trailer for your movie. And I am in awe of watch of you. To do what you did and take back control is amazing. It shows strength and courage of all of you ladies.I applaud all of you. I wish that I could see the whole movie. However I live in Paducah Ky and have not heard of any showings of it in mt area. I to am a survivor of domestic violence. And I left that situation back in March of this year. I was in it for six years. However that was not the first abusive relationship that I was in. He made me think that there was no way out and that I would be out on the street if I left him. However that prove to be wrong. He told me that I would regret my decision and can't him back. Not once have either one of those thoughts crossed my mind. I admit that I have had plenty of struggles since I left , however I have overcome them and have come out on top. For six years I was beaten, ridiculed, called eve foul name in the back. And many other things. I have had a broken arm several black eyes, and other injuries due to this man. I have lost several jobs because of him. And have lied to people about the injuries. He moved another woman into my home with her two children and expected me to take care of them. He found out that I was not going to do that. There is so much more to my story however I don't have time to tell it all today. For I have to get ready to go to work. But I would like to say that for you ladies to be jailed for the rest of your lives for trying to save your own life and for fighting back is so wrong. The reason the do this is the system is made up mostly of men. And I fell that you ladies should be free. You would be an asset to society. All of you have a story to tell and you would help a lot of women who have been where a lot of us have been. I wish I had someone like you years ago to help me then I would not have made the same mistake three times over. Thank you ladies. And may God Bless you all and shine is light upon you. I just saw the trailer for your movie. And I am in awe of watch of you. To do what you did and take back control is amazing. It shows strength and courage of all of you ladies.I applaud all of you. I wish that I could see the whole movie. However I live in Paducah Ky and have not heard of any showings of it in mt area.
I to am a survivor of domestic violence. And I left that situation back in March of this year. I was in it for six years. However that was not the first abusive relationship that I was in. He made me think that there was no way out and that I would be out on the street if I left him. However that prove to be wrong. He told me that I would regret my decision and can’t him back. Not once have either one of those thoughts crossed my mind. I admit that I have had plenty of struggles since I left , however I have overcome them and have come out on top. For six years I was beaten, ridiculed, called eve foul name in the back. And many other things. I have had a broken arm several black eyes, and other injuries due to this man. I have lost several jobs because of him. And have lied to people about the injuries. He moved another woman into my home with her two children and expected me to take care of them. He found out that I was not going to do that.
There is so much more to my story however I don’t have time to tell it all today. For I have to get ready to go to work. But I would like to say that for you ladies to be jailed for the rest of your lives for trying to save your own life and for fighting back is so wrong. The reason the do this is the system is made up mostly of men. And I fell that you ladies should be free. You would be an asset to society. All of you have a story to tell and you would help a lot of women who have been where a lot of us have been. I wish I had someone like you years ago to help me then I would not have made the same mistake three times over. Thank you ladies. And may God Bless you all and shine is light upon you.

]]> By: S. Annette Austin http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/articles/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/comment-page-1/#comment-9296 S. Annette Austin Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:27:44 +0000 http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/#comment-9296 Thank you for telling the truth. It brought back memories I can't forget. He said he just saw red and couldn't stop himself when he got angry. Never happened with other people... he'd just walk away. I gave myself all the excuses... it only happened once a year. He never hit me with a fist. He could be the most gentle loving caring person in the world. He died in an auto wreck when I was 25. I will never forget the abuse no matter how badly I want to. Thank you for telling the truth. It brought back memories I can’t forget. He said he just saw red and couldn’t stop himself when he got angry. Never happened with other people… he’d just walk away. I gave myself all the excuses… it only happened once a year. He never hit me with a fist. He could be the most gentle loving caring person in the world. He died in an auto wreck when I was 25. I will never forget the abuse no matter how badly I want to.

]]> By: Barbara Krepela http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/articles/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/comment-page-1/#comment-9292 Barbara Krepela Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:02:40 +0000 http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/#comment-9292 I salute you for the terrific job in demonstrating the after affects of Domestic Violence and what it can come to. Without a doubt society needs educating, but seems to me we're starting at the end and working backwards, ie. The women of the film felt forced to kill to be free from their abuser. I feel we're going to reach more innocent "to be" victims by starting in the beginning, making a film showing just how exactly an Abuser does operate. Show the seduction period where he's charming as he's weaving his web luring his potential victim in. There are Red Flags during this period, and people need to be made aware. Most importantly people need to know victims are chosen by their abusers due to certain innocent traits most of us consider good traits which the Abuser is looking for to twist and manipulate, and that no one is exempt from becoming a potential victim. Show the Abuser in operation and how important it is to his Mask to fool the public - This is one of his/her most abusive acts towards his victim in being able to appear as Mr. Nice Guy so as she will not be believed, or feels as though she will not be believed. White Collar Emotional/Mental Abuse is HUGE in our society, and this issue needs to be addressed, brought out in the open. Expose the Abuser is what I'm asking for! Make the general public more aware of how exactly they do operate so when neighbors, friends, family members do see signs of the emotional/mental abuse, they'll recognize and realize in their own minds 2 & 2 are not adding up. Everyone recognizes bruises, but the more sophisticated abusers know better than to leave finger prints. This is the abuse society needs to become more aware of, because this is the abuse which scars the victim the worse and is most apt to lead to killing, since police often are not able to help due to a lack of physical evidence. I feel so strongly about exposing the White Collar Abusers not that they are anymore important or abusive than non-White Collar, but I can testify to the fact that they are harder to get away from. My ex-husband was a Judge, and divorcing a Judge is like divorcing the Devil. Not impossible, but did almost cost me my life, and did require swallowing a lot of pride (which I feel keeps a lot of victims trapped), and going into hiding in a Domestic Violence shelter for a long, long, time. A decision I didn't really want to make, but knew HAD to be made because it had come to a boiling point where it was him or me losing our lives due his addiction to abuse taking priority over everything else. I feel you could do a lot of good, not just explaining, but demonstrating how an abuser gets a high out of being abusive just like a drug addict. Show how their mind operates, and behind the scenes how they plot and plan their abusive acts down to the finest detail so as to cause the most mental anguish for their victims, without getting "caught" in what they do themselves. People don't comprehend "the thrill of getting away with it" is the high for the abuser and the force behind making them want to do it again and again. I salute you for the terrific job in demonstrating the after affects of Domestic Violence and what it can come to. Without a doubt society needs educating, but seems to me we’re starting at the end and working backwards, ie. The women of the film felt forced to kill to be free from their abuser. I feel we’re going to reach more innocent “to be” victims by starting in the beginning, making a film showing just how exactly an Abuser does operate. Show the seduction period where he’s charming as he’s weaving his web luring his potential victim in. There are Red Flags during this period, and people need to be made aware. Most importantly people need to know victims are chosen by their abusers due to certain innocent traits most of us consider good traits which the Abuser is looking for to twist and manipulate, and that no one is exempt from becoming a potential victim. Show the Abuser in operation and how important it is to his Mask to fool the public – This is one of his/her most abusive acts towards his victim in being able to appear as Mr. Nice Guy so as she will not be believed, or feels as though she will not be believed.

White Collar Emotional/Mental Abuse is HUGE in our society, and this issue needs to be addressed, brought out in the open. Expose the Abuser is what I’m asking for! Make the general public more aware of how exactly they do operate so when neighbors, friends, family members do see signs of the emotional/mental abuse, they’ll recognize and realize in their own minds 2 & 2 are not adding up. Everyone recognizes bruises, but the more sophisticated abusers know better than to leave finger prints. This is the abuse society needs to become more aware of, because this is the abuse which scars the victim the worse and is most apt to lead to killing, since police often are not able to help due to a lack of physical evidence.

I feel so strongly about exposing the White Collar Abusers not that they are anymore important or abusive than non-White Collar, but I can testify to the fact that they are harder to get away from. My ex-husband was a Judge, and divorcing a Judge is like divorcing the Devil. Not impossible, but did almost cost me my life, and did require swallowing a lot of pride (which I feel keeps a lot of victims trapped), and going into hiding in a Domestic Violence shelter for a long, long, time. A decision I didn’t really want to make, but knew HAD to be made because it had come to a boiling point where it was him or me losing our lives due his addiction to abuse taking priority over everything else.

I feel you could do a lot of good, not just explaining, but demonstrating how an abuser gets a high out of being abusive just like a drug addict. Show how their mind operates, and behind the scenes how they plot and plan their abusive acts down to the finest detail so as to cause the most mental anguish for their victims, without getting “caught” in what they do themselves. People don’t comprehend “the thrill of getting away with it” is the high for the abuser and the force behind making them want to do it again and again.

]]> By: Brenda http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/articles/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/comment-page-1/#comment-9260 Brenda Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:38:12 +0000 http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/#comment-9260 I recorded the show last week and just watched it. Words fail me right now. I don't fall into the family history of abuse. My parents were married for over 50 years. I had a good childhood and given the best life. Lessons of life come and if you don't take the time to step back, your life can make a bad turn. I was pretty, divorced and happy. A close friend introduced me to her guy's friend. He was a nice guy, treated me great, bought me anything I wanted and SEEMED like a good catch. I dated him for two years and my family approved of him. Well, I married him and life was great for about six months, then things began to change slowly. First, I couldn't go anywhere without him. He didn't want me to work, he monitored my mail, slowly made me change my dress style - long dresses and hair in a bun. No, it didn't happen fast, it was slowly taking control of my life. If the phone rang and the person hung up, I was accused of a man. If I put gas in the car, there had to be a man there that I was looking at or interested in. Within three years, I began to see that he had made me his prisoner and no one knew it but me and him! Everyone thought that he was a great guy! I had furs, diamonds and drove a new Mercedes! On the outside, he was the perfect guy. He took out a 500,000 dollar life insurance policy on me. I took the time to look at the entire picture and saw that I was in danger. I had to leave but I had to make him think that he was leaving me!! He filed for divorce and became a monster! I was in fear of my life but had to keep up the game and knew that I was running out of time! He did everything to destroy me mentally! I just held on! The day the judge granted the divorce, it was the beginning of hell because he knew I had set him up! For three years, I lived in fear! I moved in with my parents because I knew that he would not do anything in front of them! It has been 15 years and I still fear him. I watch where I go and who is around me. I don't go out in public too much any more and have made peace that I got out just in time! We were heading for a place that someone's life was about to be taken. I will never be free of him but I had the guts to plan and get out! Pay attention to what he does. It may not be love, it may be ownership! my family didn't understand why I divorced such a nice guy. My mother still gave him information fir him to own me. I know what he is and that if I died, no one would question him. Stand up fir yourself and pay attention. You may be saving your own life. I don't date and live a quiet life. I just can't trust another man. I had enough the first time! I recorded the show last week and just watched it. Words fail me right now. I don’t fall into the family history of abuse. My parents were married for over 50 years. I had a good childhood and given the best life. Lessons of life come and if you don’t take the time to step back, your life can make a bad turn.
I was pretty, divorced and happy. A close friend introduced me to her guy’s friend. He was a nice guy, treated me great, bought me anything I wanted and SEEMED like a good catch. I dated him for two years and my family approved of him. Well, I married him and life was great for about six months, then things began to change slowly. First, I couldn’t go anywhere without him. He didn’t want me to work, he monitored my mail, slowly made me change my dress style – long dresses and hair in a bun. No, it didn’t happen fast, it was slowly taking control of my life. If the phone rang and the person hung up, I was accused of a man. If I put gas in the car, there had to be a man there that I was looking at or interested in. Within three years, I began to see that he had made me his prisoner and no one knew it but me and him! Everyone thought that he was a great guy! I had furs, diamonds and drove a new Mercedes! On the outside, he was the perfect guy. He took out a 500,000 dollar life insurance policy on me. I took the time to look at the entire picture and saw that I was in danger. I had to leave but I had to make him think that he was leaving me!! He filed for divorce and became a monster! I was in fear of my life but had to keep up the game and knew that I was running out of time! He did everything to destroy me mentally! I just held on! The day the judge granted the divorce, it was the beginning of hell because he knew I had set him up! For three years, I lived in fear! I moved in with my parents because I knew that he would not do anything in front of them! It has been 15 years and I still fear him. I watch where I go and who is around me. I don’t go out in public too much any more and have made peace that I got out just in time! We were heading for a place that someone’s life was about to be taken. I will never be free of him but I had the guts to plan and get out! Pay attention to what he does. It may not be love, it may be ownership! my family didn’t understand why I divorced such a nice guy. My mother still gave him information fir him to own me. I know what he is and that if I died, no one would question him. Stand up fir yourself and pay attention. You may be saving your own life. I don’t date and live a quiet life. I just can’t trust another man. I had enough the first time!

]]> By: Glenda Crosley http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/articles/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/comment-page-1/#comment-9241 Glenda Crosley Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:34:46 +0000 http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/#comment-9241 Dear Glenda Crosley, I saw my Mom through your eyes. She passed away at 54 in 1978 from cancer and a "broken heart." Every day I go out into the world, knowing that we have know idea what it took each person that we pass or come in contact with, what they had to do to face another day. I'm one of nine kids that is now still broken at 58 years old. Jack Dear Glenda Crosley,
I saw my Mom through your eyes. She passed away at 54 in 1978 from cancer and a “broken heart.”
Every day I go out into the world, knowing that we have know idea what it took each person that we pass or come in contact with, what they had to do to face another day.
I’m one of nine kids that is now still broken at 58 years old.
Jack

]]> By: Sherry http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/articles/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/comment-page-1/#comment-9164 Sherry Mon, 24 Oct 2011 06:08:57 +0000 http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/#comment-9164 Thank you all for your courage in telling your stories. I left my abuser and then found another, and another and another. After an abusive father, four abusive husbands and two abusive boyfriends I finally stopped dating completely in 1994. At one point in time I had a gun and if my 3rd husband had opened the door and come at me I would have shot him. It was 1973 and I would probably have gone to prison just like you all. I don't have much but I'll be writing and do whatever I can with my few resources to help any one of you. Thank you all for your courage in telling your stories. I left my abuser and then found another, and another and another. After an abusive father, four abusive husbands and two abusive boyfriends I finally stopped dating completely in 1994. At one point in time I had a gun and if my 3rd husband had opened the door and come at me I would have shot him. It was 1973 and I would probably have gone to prison just like you all.

I don’t have much but I’ll be writing and do whatever I can with my few resources to help any one of you.

]]> By: Melissa http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/articles/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/comment-page-1/#comment-9144 Melissa Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:19:04 +0000 http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/#comment-9144 Bless you all, I am a survivor of abuse mental, physical, and emotional. I was fortunate enough to get out with my 2 children and have been divorced 16 yrs this month. My ex is on his 3rd marriage of which all have suffered abuse. In fact the woman he is married to now was attacked by him just weeks after they married and my oldest son was there when it happened and stood up to him to protect this new wife, sadly enough she is still there. I work with some women who are in the same situation and just keep going back and this is very heart breaking to see. I will pray for all of you that the eyes of justice will open wide and you will be released. As I watched the documentary this morning I cried and a flood of memories came back. I had been punched and bitten told I was nothing and would never be nothing without him. I have worked in a factory for eleven years now and my 2 son's have both graduated and are doing well. My oldest has become a machinist and my youngest is joining the Army. They were the reason I had the courage to leave. I didn't want them growing up to be abusers or abused by anyone. My plans are to start my own business in the next few years as I love baking and cooking. I would like to know if you are allowed any care packages? If so what are the guidelines? Brightest of Blessing's to you! Melissa Bless you all, I am a survivor of abuse mental, physical, and emotional. I was fortunate enough to get out with my 2 children and have been divorced 16 yrs this month. My ex is on his 3rd marriage of which all have suffered abuse. In fact the woman he is married to now was attacked by him just weeks after they married and my oldest son was there when it happened and stood up to him to protect this new wife, sadly enough she is still there. I work with some women who are in the same situation and just keep going back and this is very heart breaking to see. I will pray for all of you that the eyes of justice will open wide and you will be released. As I watched the documentary this morning I cried and a flood of memories came back. I had been punched and bitten told I was nothing and would never be nothing without him. I have worked in a factory for eleven years now and my 2 son’s have both graduated and are doing well. My oldest has become a machinist and my youngest is joining the Army. They were the reason I had the courage to leave. I didn’t want them growing up to be abusers or abused by anyone. My plans are to start my own business in the next few years as I love baking and cooking. I would like to know if you are allowed any care packages? If so what are the guidelines? Brightest of Blessing’s to you!

Melissa

]]> By: El James http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/articles/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/comment-page-1/#comment-9137 El James Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:10:38 +0000 http://www.sinbysilence.com/blog/ways-to-help-a-friend/write-to-the-women-of-cwaa/#comment-9137 Hello to all of the powerful and wonderful women of CWAA!!! I am so happy that I have an avenue to contact you! I watched the documentary and it took my breath away. To think I could have been one of you so very easily had I not taken the steps I did to make SURE it couldn't...it almost did when I nearly died in 1991, and then he came after in the hospital. I was cut open and literally couldn't scream and have never been so scared in my life. I started pushing that nurse button like crazy and they came running, and he screamed at them that "I had done it all to myself!" Thank God they moved me immediately to a room right in front of the nurses station and then security had a pic of him distributed throughout the hospital. My mother was so very glad I didn't have a gun at the time. But ENOUGH about me! You all are the most AMAZING women and you will always be in my prayers from this day forward. I cryed with each of you, I felt your pain. I don't know HOW Glenda (I'm pretty sure it was Glenda, right?) stayed in an abusive relationship for 25 years. I don't know how anyone could! You are a rock in my book. All of you really are. It is my hope that you ALL get out of that place and the sooner the better. Also especially that any of you who were tried before the laws were changed will get a chance for a new trial, I really believe it is fair and just. I hope so many of you will have a chance to walk away from prison when this happens for you. I don't think sentences for crimes against violence in the home should be as long either. That goes either way gender wise. There are more women today who are the aggressors in an abusive situation, so it has to be both ways. But it's not CLOSE nor will it ever be men abusing women. And the poor women whose husbands are cops...what do they do? It's his word against hers! It's sad. It's the scariest thing I can possibly think of. I don't know what or how I would do anything in that situation. I will send an angel for each and every one of you, there will be an extra one over each of you in a second...I died for 20 days last year, crazy...total major organ failure. I am disabled, I haven't even been able to drive since 2004 (I am now just 49 & gettin younger!) but it's a paragraph full and none really would kill me, mainly chronic pain. But I was throwing up so they think I must've inhaled some miniscule amount...so there I went. If I can make it thru that, I know my angels can help each of you in SOME way, ya know? I'll write again, and feel free to write back if you see this thru all these. God Bless you, each and every one. El James Hello to all of the powerful and wonderful women of CWAA!!! I am so happy that I have an avenue to contact you! I watched the documentary and it took my breath away. To think I could have been one of you so very easily had I not taken the steps I did to make SURE it couldn’t…it almost did when I nearly died in 1991, and then he came after in the hospital. I was cut open and literally couldn’t scream and have never been so scared in my life. I started pushing that nurse button like crazy and they came running, and he screamed at them that “I had done it all to myself!” Thank God they moved me immediately to a room right in front of the nurses station and then security had a pic of him distributed throughout the hospital. My mother was so very glad I didn’t have a gun at the time. But ENOUGH about me! You all are the most AMAZING women and you will always be in my prayers from this day forward. I cryed with each of you, I felt your pain. I don’t know HOW Glenda (I’m pretty sure it was Glenda, right?) stayed in an abusive relationship for 25 years. I don’t know how anyone could! You are a rock in my book. All of you really are. It is my hope that you ALL get out of that place and the sooner the better. Also especially that any of you who were tried before the laws were changed will get a chance for a new trial, I really believe it is fair and just. I hope so many of you will have a chance to walk away from prison when this happens for you. I don’t think sentences for crimes against violence in the home should be as long either. That goes either way gender wise. There are more women today who are the aggressors in an abusive situation, so it has to be both ways. But it’s not CLOSE nor will it ever be men abusing women. And the poor women whose husbands are cops…what do they do? It’s his word against hers! It’s sad. It’s the scariest thing I can possibly think of. I don’t know what or how I would do anything in that situation. I will send an angel for each and every one of you, there will be an extra one over each of you in a second…I died for 20 days last year, crazy…total major organ failure. I am disabled, I haven’t even been able to drive since 2004 (I am now just 49 & gettin younger!) but it’s a paragraph full and none really would kill me, mainly chronic pain. But I was throwing up so they think I must’ve inhaled some miniscule amount…so there I went. If I can make it thru that, I know my angels can help each of you in SOME way, ya know? I’ll write again, and feel free to write back if you see this thru all these. God Bless you, each and every one.
El James

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