Cindy A.

I am a survivor of child abuse, domestic violence and substance abuse. I was removed from the initial abusive environment at the age of 5. Once removed the abuse was not discussed and life carried on. The direct result of that was I found myself looking for love, a sense of belonging and a sense of security which I stumbled across in junior high when I found boys. I got pregnant at 17 and was married shortly after. I married someone who sexually exploited me and verbally abused me. A direct result of that was I started drinking which kicked off a 10-year run of alcohol, meth and domestic violence. By the time the police stopped me in my tracks i had been through 2 marriages, a miscarriage an abortion but was blessed with 3 beautiful children. I have never felt such a relief as I did the night the cops slapped those handcuffs on my I was tired of ripping and running. I was introduced to a 12-step program and would love to say i jumped in my life turned around but that was not my story. I participated and a very superficial level, just enough to stay clean. I made a lot of friends went to a lot of events but was still dying inside. All those ugly behaviors that I call survival skills followed me into the 12 step rooms. I had to go through another near-death abusive relationship clean before I realized something really needed to change, I needed to change. By the grace of God, I landed myself in a domestic violence survivor program, I obtained a therapist, and I got serious about the 12 steps. IT was then that my journey truly began. Today I am a board member for the domestic violence clinic that saved my life. I now advocate for other survivors of abuse. I continue to raise awareness for domestic violence for men and women and I mentor other women in the 12-step program. I have learned I do not need to be scared to make noise when I don't like something and most importantly, I do not have to go through anything alone if I don't want to. I recently celebrate 16 years clean and sober. I find strength in being able to relate and help others through the struggles I have already overcome.