Rita’s Story

My story is about being abused, both physically and emotionally. It wasn’t unusual for my abuser to strangle, beat, and bite me. Then he would throw me on the bed, wrap his legs around me so that I couldn’t move, and continue to beat me. He even threatened to beat me to death and then kill himself.

My nightmare began on May 2, 2016, when I had quintuple bypass open heart surgery and carotid artery surgery. After the surgery, I was on a breathing machine for 9 1/2 hours. I am a lucky woman just to be alive. My doctors said that I had a long road to recovery and that it may be as much as a year before I would begin to feel normal again. My abuser didn’t care though. He strangled and choked me until I thought I would pass out. He beat my chest until I thought it would burst open. He bit my arm until there was blood streaming down my arm. I truly believed that his intention was to beat me to death. I knew that there was no way I would be able to get away on my own, and I started praying and asking God to please help me before he killed me. I was 68 years old at the time.

Then, my prayers were answered. I heard about Domestic Abuse Disruption. I called Trey Gregory and told him my story. Trey, Kenny Overstreet, and 17 strangers came to my rescue. I thank God every day for Trey Gregory and Kenny Overstreet for what they do! When D.A.D. says ‘she is not alone’, it is more than a slogan, it is a fact. Every time I have had to face my abuser, Trey has been right beside me, encouraging, supporting and guiding me! What a true blessing to know that there still are people that are out there who will help you and ask for nothing in return. For what it is worth, I believe that in God’s eyes, donating to D.A.D. is the same as paying tithes.