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payment from his family to keep quiet about the previous abuse, which included physical violence resulting in black eyes and bruised ribs. On one freezing winter night, I reached out to a social worker/nurse at the Sophia Lit- tle Home in Cranston, RI, desperate for help. She drove 30 miles to rescue me and took me to her home. However, the next morning, my then-boyfriend, who had legal custody over me and our son, threatened to involve the po- lice if I didn’t return. In 1978, domestic vio- lence was not taken as seriously, and with his legal custody, I reluctantly returned, knowing I would leave at 18. As the years passed and I gave birth to my second child shortly after turning 18, I had hopes for a better life. However, the birth of my beautiful baby girl marked a turning point for the worse. My husband cheated on me with our 14-year-old babysitter, and I real- ized he was no different from the other abu- sive men in my life. Determined to break free from the cycle of abuse, I found an apartment, applied for welfare, and made the courageous decision to move away. But as a single par- ent, I faced countless challenges in rebuilding my life. Along the way, I encountered false friendships and experienced devastating loss- es. Trapped in toxic relationships, I kept hav- ing more children. One tragedy struck when my fourth child, a girl, passed away from crib death at just four months old. This loss shat- tered me, and it was during this time that I turned to alcohol for solace. I fell in love with the numbing sensation it provided, attempt- ing to escape the overwhelming grief and pain. From that moment on, I spiraled into addiction, waiting for the inevitable. Years went by, and I continued making the same choices, finding myself in toxic rela- tionships and bringing more children into the world. Desperate for a fresh start, I moved to Madison, WI, hoping for a change. Unfortu- nately, the destructive influence of crack co- caine entered my life, consuming not only me but also affecting my children. Trapped in yet
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another unhealthy relationship, surrounded by my mother, who battled addiction and alcoholism, I found myself caught in a cycle of addiction.
This path eventually led me down a criminal road, resulting in my capture and a ten-year prison sentence. At 33 years old, I received a seven-year sentence under the old law in Wisconsin in 1997. However, I was paroled to my abuser, and in an act of self-defense, I committed another crime that led to a new prison sentence un- der the new law. I ended up serving a total of ten years. During my time in prison, I faced abuse and mistreatment from both inmates and the Department of Corrections. The mental abuse I experi- enced resulted in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which I still receive therapy for today. On August 29th, 2007, I was paroled, and I made a commitment to myself to never return to prison. Since then, I have complet- ed fifteen and a half years of parole and turned my life around. I found housing on Williamson Street for 90 days, secured two jobs, enrolled in college, and began building a new life for myself. While I did experience relapses with drugs, I never committed another crime. I recognized that I needed help and reached out to a coun- selor for support. Just because you are free does not make you free from your ad- diction reach out get help, you are not alone. There are people to help you figure out what you need and how to help you get your life back and your dreams come true. I have a business and a college degree your relapse does not deter- mine your path you do. Use the tools and join every program that is open to stay with the winners. If I can do this, I know you can.
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