Surviving The Storm, Finding Hope In The Light
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Christmas time, 22 years ago, when I was just 15, my world fell apart. My mother and I had to flee our home with nowhere to turn. That night, we ended up at a women’s refuge, a place I would unexpectedly call home for the next six months. For the first time in my life, I felt safe.
Our situation was extreme. I wasn’t allowed to leave the refuge, and on the rare occasions I did, it had to be in a taxi. Despite everything, the staff at the refuge were incredible. They went above and beyond to protect us and make sure we felt secure. My mother, my three siblings, and I all shared one room, but for the first time in years, it didn’t feel like we were trapped in a nightmare. Instead, the refuge gave us hope that life could change—and it did.
The journey was terrifying at first. Walking through those doors felt like stepping into the unknown, but it became the best decision we ever made. The staff were compassionate and did everything they could to help us rebuild our lives. Looking back, I’ll never forget the kindness they showed us and how much they helped us find our way to safety and a fresh start.
Our situation was extreme. I wasn’t allowed to leave the refuge, and on the rare occasions I did, it had to be in a taxi. Despite everything, the staff at the refuge were incredible. They went above and beyond to protect us and make sure we felt secure. My mother, my three siblings, and I all shared one room, but for the first time in years, it didn’t feel like we were trapped in a nightmare. Instead, the refuge gave us hope that life could change—and it did.
The journey was terrifying at first. Walking through those doors felt like stepping into the unknown, but it became the best decision we ever made. The staff were compassionate and did everything they could to help us rebuild our lives. Looking back, I’ll never forget the kindness they showed us and how much they helped us find our way to safety and a fresh start.