Our family has always been a charitable family. I was taught at a young age no matter what you think someone always has it worse than you. Just read the paper or watch the news each day. Violence, diseases, and sickness make up most of what we see and read.
There is a saying that goes like this:
If you and group of people threw all your problems in a pile, after reading them you would take yours back because theirs are just as bad if not worse than yours. Also, you do not know what happens in my house and I do not know what happens in your house.
I really believe this is true as I have witnessed so many others suffering whether it is from child abuse, domestic violence, or some other form of abuse.
When I began to get involved with Reach Out Speak Out, I really didn’t realize the extraordinary need for faith-based people to come together to end the cycle of domestic abuse. I’m astonished that some religions suggest that when you get married, no matter what happens, you cannot leave your spouse. Obviously, this is not the case, and God would never want someone to be abused for any reason.
When I was a victim of domestic violence, my devout Irish Catholic mother was my number one advocate. She did everything in her power to make me see that this was not right, and I needed to get away. It took more than a year, but she never gave up and was finally able to break the cycle. So many others are either alone or afraid to leave. Getting involved is so important in breaking the cycle of domestic abuse and getting the help these victims need. Remember someone always has it worse off than you do.
