6 Years of Sexual Abuse: A Powerful Story

Six months ago, hopeless didn’t even begin to describe how I felt about my life. I was sick with an eating disorder that I’ve had for 4 years, and I had an alcoholic father who I lived my life to please. He was physically, verbally and for 6 years of my life, sexually abusive. I didn’t know who to turn to. By the grace of God, I came across Made In His Image. It changed my life. MIHI helped hold me accountable for my actions. Because of MIHI, I started going to counseling, I attended mass daily and my relationship with God grew stronger. No soon after, MIHI helped me to see that what was happening at home was wrong and helped me realize that I needed to help my younger sisters by breaking the silence associated with the abuse. After spending hours in adoration, extensive talks with Maura and lots of thinking, I told my therapist about the sexual abuse. I could never have done it without the support and encouragement of MIHI. It saved my life. My counselor reported it and after my father was arrested this summer, Maura was there for me every step of the way, whether it was when I had to go to court, when I had interviews with the detectives, or simply when I was having a really tough day.

Maura not only helped me stop the cycle of abuse but helped me to see that eating disorder treatment was the next step to making my life better for God and for myself. I am finally in treatment now and even though it is the hardest thing I have experienced, I realize now more than ever that all I want to do is live my life to serve God and getting better is the first step. I know the road ahead will be hard but I won’t give up. MIHI helped me to see that my life is worth living and God created me in His Image. In a special way, it is my gift to God to take care of myself and my body.

Maura taught me not to dwell in the pain and suffering that I felt everyday but rather to see the little good things in my life everyday. I am now beginning to see all of the beautiful things that came about from my suffering. I am blessed to suffer and everyday I hold my head up and ask God willingly to give me my cross and help me carry it all day long. Because of MIHI, I no longer am a victim of abuse and I am in recovery for my eating disorder. God is working miracles through MIHI. I owe MIHI my life because if it wasn’t for them, I probably wouldn’t be alive today. Words cannot describe how thankful I am for everything MIHI has done for me.