Success Stories
What is success?
The question is, who qualifies as a Success Story? There are a great many unknown
success stories out there. Many times the women who created them are unaware
that they did something good for someone else. Why? Because it's in their nature to
quietly help and not think about it nor expect thanks in return. We want you to
help us find these unsung heroes and tell us about them. They don't have to be rich,
powerful or famous. The only qualification is, that they gave of themselves in some
way to make another person(s) life better. Maybe someone did something for you
that helped to change your life. Why not take a few minutes to thank them, by
telling us about them.
Journey of a Lost Child
BY
Robin Preston Golliher
Author, LMT, MC .
This is a True Story about abuse.........
Growing up in a dysfunctional family, I never knew, when I was a child, right from
wrong. My dad beat me until I bled for six weeks. I was 13 years old. My mother would
not take me to the doctor until the bruises were gone. I was so weak she almost had
to carry me. All the beatings I took made me a very hard person. I thought that
running away from home would solve the problem. I thought I would be home free.
But was I wrong. The streets were no better or worse. I became a rape victim by my
uncle. And then came the bad relationships. I always picked the controlling type
male. It was as though I had better behave or I would suffer the consequences. Most
of my relationships were for a place to stay, so I would not have to go back home. So I
took what was dished out, and I dealt with it. At 14 I had the mind of a 21 year old,
and looked it. At the age of 19, I became pregnant, and married him to give my child
a name. I thought it was for the best. Was I ever wrong. The physical abuse got worse
while I was pregnant. We pulled each others hair. At times, we held knives to each
other and guns . To make a long story short, I had my son. But the abuse did not stop
there, it got worse. He began doing drugs and I would stay in the bedroom with my
son to keep him safe. Over and over I told myself that I had to get out of this
marriage for my son's sake. I wasn't important, my son was. I waited for that day to
come and when it did, I ran. That wasn't the end of it. I was staying at my
girlfriend's house, when he broke in and lifted my son off of the floor. My friend and
I were in another room and our babies were playing on the floor. My son at the time
was 18 months old. I did everything to find him for 2 years, as my divorce was going
on. No one would help me not even the police. They told me that since I was still
married, and the divorce had not been final, that he had rights also. After almost 3
years looking for my son, I went ahead with my divorce just to get my husband out of
my life. It did not stop there. He stalked me for over 10 years. He would break into
my home, and steal items to let me know it was him. He would see me on the
highway, and ram my car, to run me off the road. He sliced all four of my tires, and
put sugar in my gas tank. It was at that point, people at my job, would follow me to
my car and then to my house. Life for me was a nightmare. I fell for the same kind of
male again, and got pregnant. He would threaten to throw me over the balcony of
our apartment, while I was pregnant. But when he tried to take my son, I held a
knife to his throat,to get him to hand me back my son. I did not sleep at night, as
long as he was in the house. As soon as I found away out, I took my son and ran as far
as I could. I never saw him again. I had my son with me, and he was safe. I became a
single mom, raising my child with no where to go. I had no chose but to go to my first
ex husband's mom's house to put a roof over my son's head. I had to deal with my
stalker's face everyday. He would bring my oldest son over so that he could see me
get upset. Again I was in a bad situation. Again I had to run to the very first man
that showed me attention. He was 10 years older than me. At first we got along, so
we married. The he and his family did not tell me he was a recovering alcoholic. He
threw ash trays at my head. He hit my son in the eye when he was 2 years old and
blacken it. I was on the lookout again for a way out. I was angry that no one told me
he was a drug addict and an alcoholic. I would go over and visit him so he would go to
AA. It worked for awhile, but then the drugs and drinking started again. It seemed
as though every way I went, abuse was waiting for me. Mental and physical. I was
called a whore, a bitch and a slut. I was told I was stupid, ugly and just out right
dumb. I became a zombie and numb. I believed everyone. I felt stupid and down
right ugly. In my mind, I couldn't do anything right it. I even moved to another
state. Over 800 miles in a different direction so I could get on my feet and support
my son. I was lost and alone. I needed help. By the time I was 30, I was at the
therapist every other day. But I was so numb that even the therapist could not pull
me out of my state of mind. Medication helped me to feel some what better, but
again by the age of 32, I was in a relationship again. I should have gotten the red
alert, when his mom called me a whore. She did not know me, and nor I her. I did not
know that this man, who I thought was finally the right one, would be the worst one.
We married within 1 year of knowing each other. He treated my son as though he
was a dog. He would use my son to get at me. My neighbor saw him slam my son up
against the house. At this time he was 5 years old. I could not work because he would
torture my son. He would not let him eat. He was not allowed to use the refrigerator,
even for something to drink. I had to take my son out of the house, and leave him
with neighbors so he would be safe. One day, I came home from the store and my son
had a gash on his shoulder. Blood was everywhere. I began to scream at my husband.
He just sat on the couch as though nothing was wrong. I was a total mess. I could not
leave the house and go anywhere without something happening to my child. I was
very afraid of this man. I did not know what to do, because his family was for him,
and they had money. He would do his best to choke me as hard as he could. He was
arrested for assault for the first time, because when I told my therapist she called
the police. I bailed him out and promised him I would not tell his family. He was on
probation for a year. He walked a straight line during this period. But when he
came off of probation, he became worse. He not only was physically and mentally
abused me, he was a porno addict. Everyday he would sit and watch porn. The next
thing he did was bring women into the house and have relations in front of me. I was
numb at this point. I became paranoid about everything. I put a recorder under the
couch and began to record him when I was out of the house. He was mentally and
physically abusing my son. That is when the fist fights got worse and I had 4 break
downs. I was hospitalized 4 times. I was then made out to be incompetent. I would get
to talk to my son on the phone every other day. One day, he said "Mom, when are you
coming back home? He is mean to me." I woke up that day in Hospital. I needed out
of this place and now. I got out in a couple of days, and went to get my son. My son
had to stayed with the neighbors while I stayed in a shelter. We both stayed put,
until we got into our section 8 apartment. By this time I was on social security.
Again I was free, and going to stay that way. Not only had I been physically and
mentally abused, I found out that my husband had been drugging me to make me
paranoid. That led me into 4 breakdowns. I had never been so far down, but the day
my son said "Mom when are you coming home he is mean to me". My spiraling life of
abuse came to a halt. That day I found myself and God. I continued to pray that God
would help me. Even if it was just for my son's sake. This is only some of my story. As
I got better, and found that I was a person, and no one controlled me but me, I
became a human. I had grown up in abuse from day one, and my life became a day to
day victim of abuse. For over 30 years I spiraled in abuse. One time was not enough,
I had to do it 4 times over. But as I found myself, I got better and better. It was not an
over night fix. It took sometime to get to where I am today. I continue to tell myself
to keep my head up and look for those red alerts. I have been in therapy for 15 years,
and it has helped me, once I let it. Even today, I have a fear of a relationship. I keep
my distance from any male. I have put up a brick wall, and don’t let my emotions
show to often. I spent many years going to colleges to better myself. I did everything
I could to fix what I could. It did not help me. I had to realize who I was, to be a better
person. I had to dig down deep, and realize I was a person, and no one controlled me
but me.
Robin Preston Golliher
This is a true story of Robin's life. I have the pleasure of knowing Robin, and she has
turned what was a tragic life into a life of dignity. Though Robin suffered greatly,
and should be bitter because of the scars she carries, instead Robin is the most kind
person I've met in a long time. She is ready to help those less fortunate, and
supports many charities through her book sales. To me she is a beautiful person
inside and out. A smart, strong woman, which definitely, and without a doubt,
makes her a FINA BELLA.
To purchase Robin's book, please visit:
www.awayout4all.org
"Begin somewhere;You can't build a
reputation on what you intend to do".
Liz Smith - Journalist
All Rights Reserved 2008
The Fina Bella Group
The question is, who qualifies as a Success Story? There are a great many unknown
success stories out there. Many times the women who created them are unaware
that they did something good for someone else. Why? Because it's in their nature to
quietly help and not think about it nor expect thanks in return. We want you to
help us find these unsung heroes and tell us about them. They don't have to be rich,
powerful or famous. The only qualification is, that they gave of themselves in some
way to make another person(s) life better. Maybe someone did something for you
that helped to change your life. Why not take a few minutes to thank them, by
telling us about them.
Journey of a Lost Child
BY
Robin Preston Golliher
Author, LMT, MC .
This is a True Story about abuse.........
Growing up in a dysfunctional family, I never knew, when I was a child, right from
wrong. My dad beat me until I bled for six weeks. I was 13 years old. My mother would
not take me to the doctor until the bruises were gone. I was so weak she almost had
to carry me. All the beatings I took made me a very hard person. I thought that
running away from home would solve the problem. I thought I would be home free.
But was I wrong. The streets were no better or worse. I became a rape victim by my
uncle. And then came the bad relationships. I always picked the controlling type
male. It was as though I had better behave or I would suffer the consequences. Most
of my relationships were for a place to stay, so I would not have to go back home. So I
took what was dished out, and I dealt with it. At 14 I had the mind of a 21 year old,
and looked it. At the age of 19, I became pregnant, and married him to give my child
a name. I thought it was for the best. Was I ever wrong. The physical abuse got worse
while I was pregnant. We pulled each others hair. At times, we held knives to each
other and guns . To make a long story short, I had my son. But the abuse did not stop
there, it got worse. He began doing drugs and I would stay in the bedroom with my
son to keep him safe. Over and over I told myself that I had to get out of this
marriage for my son's sake. I wasn't important, my son was. I waited for that day to
come and when it did, I ran. That wasn't the end of it. I was staying at my
girlfriend's house, when he broke in and lifted my son off of the floor. My friend and
I were in another room and our babies were playing on the floor. My son at the time
was 18 months old. I did everything to find him for 2 years, as my divorce was going
on. No one would help me not even the police. They told me that since I was still
married, and the divorce had not been final, that he had rights also. After almost 3
years looking for my son, I went ahead with my divorce just to get my husband out of
my life. It did not stop there. He stalked me for over 10 years. He would break into
my home, and steal items to let me know it was him. He would see me on the
highway, and ram my car, to run me off the road. He sliced all four of my tires, and
put sugar in my gas tank. It was at that point, people at my job, would follow me to
my car and then to my house. Life for me was a nightmare. I fell for the same kind of
male again, and got pregnant. He would threaten to throw me over the balcony of
our apartment, while I was pregnant. But when he tried to take my son, I held a
knife to his throat,to get him to hand me back my son. I did not sleep at night, as
long as he was in the house. As soon as I found away out, I took my son and ran as far
as I could. I never saw him again. I had my son with me, and he was safe. I became a
single mom, raising my child with no where to go. I had no chose but to go to my first
ex husband's mom's house to put a roof over my son's head. I had to deal with my
stalker's face everyday. He would bring my oldest son over so that he could see me
get upset. Again I was in a bad situation. Again I had to run to the very first man
that showed me attention. He was 10 years older than me. At first we got along, so
we married. The he and his family did not tell me he was a recovering alcoholic. He
threw ash trays at my head. He hit my son in the eye when he was 2 years old and
blacken it. I was on the lookout again for a way out. I was angry that no one told me
he was a drug addict and an alcoholic. I would go over and visit him so he would go to
AA. It worked for awhile, but then the drugs and drinking started again. It seemed
as though every way I went, abuse was waiting for me. Mental and physical. I was
called a whore, a bitch and a slut. I was told I was stupid, ugly and just out right
dumb. I became a zombie and numb. I believed everyone. I felt stupid and down
right ugly. In my mind, I couldn't do anything right it. I even moved to another
state. Over 800 miles in a different direction so I could get on my feet and support
my son. I was lost and alone. I needed help. By the time I was 30, I was at the
therapist every other day. But I was so numb that even the therapist could not pull
me out of my state of mind. Medication helped me to feel some what better, but
again by the age of 32, I was in a relationship again. I should have gotten the red
alert, when his mom called me a whore. She did not know me, and nor I her. I did not
know that this man, who I thought was finally the right one, would be the worst one.
We married within 1 year of knowing each other. He treated my son as though he
was a dog. He would use my son to get at me. My neighbor saw him slam my son up
against the house. At this time he was 5 years old. I could not work because he would
torture my son. He would not let him eat. He was not allowed to use the refrigerator,
even for something to drink. I had to take my son out of the house, and leave him
with neighbors so he would be safe. One day, I came home from the store and my son
had a gash on his shoulder. Blood was everywhere. I began to scream at my husband.
He just sat on the couch as though nothing was wrong. I was a total mess. I could not
leave the house and go anywhere without something happening to my child. I was
very afraid of this man. I did not know what to do, because his family was for him,
and they had money. He would do his best to choke me as hard as he could. He was
arrested for assault for the first time, because when I told my therapist she called
the police. I bailed him out and promised him I would not tell his family. He was on
probation for a year. He walked a straight line during this period. But when he
came off of probation, he became worse. He not only was physically and mentally
abused me, he was a porno addict. Everyday he would sit and watch porn. The next
thing he did was bring women into the house and have relations in front of me. I was
numb at this point. I became paranoid about everything. I put a recorder under the
couch and began to record him when I was out of the house. He was mentally and
physically abusing my son. That is when the fist fights got worse and I had 4 break
downs. I was hospitalized 4 times. I was then made out to be incompetent. I would get
to talk to my son on the phone every other day. One day, he said "Mom, when are you
coming back home? He is mean to me." I woke up that day in Hospital. I needed out
of this place and now. I got out in a couple of days, and went to get my son. My son
had to stayed with the neighbors while I stayed in a shelter. We both stayed put,
until we got into our section 8 apartment. By this time I was on social security.
Again I was free, and going to stay that way. Not only had I been physically and
mentally abused, I found out that my husband had been drugging me to make me
paranoid. That led me into 4 breakdowns. I had never been so far down, but the day
my son said "Mom when are you coming home he is mean to me". My spiraling life of
abuse came to a halt. That day I found myself and God. I continued to pray that God
would help me. Even if it was just for my son's sake. This is only some of my story. As
I got better, and found that I was a person, and no one controlled me but me, I
became a human. I had grown up in abuse from day one, and my life became a day to
day victim of abuse. For over 30 years I spiraled in abuse. One time was not enough,
I had to do it 4 times over. But as I found myself, I got better and better. It was not an
over night fix. It took sometime to get to where I am today. I continue to tell myself
to keep my head up and look for those red alerts. I have been in therapy for 15 years,
and it has helped me, once I let it. Even today, I have a fear of a relationship. I keep
my distance from any male. I have put up a brick wall, and don’t let my emotions
show to often. I spent many years going to colleges to better myself. I did everything
I could to fix what I could. It did not help me. I had to realize who I was, to be a better
person. I had to dig down deep, and realize I was a person, and no one controlled me
but me.
Robin Preston Golliher
This is a true story of Robin's life. I have the pleasure of knowing Robin, and she has
turned what was a tragic life into a life of dignity. Though Robin suffered greatly,
and should be bitter because of the scars she carries, instead Robin is the most kind
person I've met in a long time. She is ready to help those less fortunate, and
supports many charities through her book sales. To me she is a beautiful person
inside and out. A smart, strong woman, which definitely, and without a doubt,
makes her a FINA BELLA.
To purchase Robin's book, please visit:
www.awayout4all.org
"Begin somewhere;You can't build a
reputation on what you intend to do".
Liz Smith - Journalist
All Rights Reserved 2008
The Fina Bella Group
Fina Bella
"We Can Do It ........... Together"
"Nous Pouvons Le Faire ........ Ensemble"
"We Can Do It ........... Together"
"Nous Pouvons Le Faire ........ Ensemble"
Do you have a success story that Fina Bella should know about? If so,
please contact us at:
successstories@finabella.net
We look forward to you giving us a success story. Maybe your story will
help others.
please contact us at:
successstories@finabella.net
We look forward to you giving us a success story. Maybe your story will
help others.
www.finabella.org (Lobby/Issues)
www.finabella.ca (The Fina Bella Coalition Against Domestic Violence)
http://www.facebook.com/fina.bella
The Fina Bella Group
“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing”.
- Helen Keller -
“Life Is A Journey, Not A Destination”
- Helen Keller -
“Life Is A Journey, Not A Destination”
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