| Thembi |
Cont... (PART 1)
My daughter cried hysterically while I tried to put out the fire, but because I was soaked in petrol, I couldn’t do anything much. I could only scream out for help. I managed to call the ambulance.
Luckily, emergency services staff got to us before we died. We suffered third-degree burns and 99 percent of our bodies were covered with scars. Doctors didn’t believe that we would make it out of the hospital alive.
I was unconscious for weeks and my daughter passed away after a few days in the hospital. This was the hardest time of my life.
I could not attend her funeral as I was in a critical condition in hospital. I was hospitalized for six months. I blamed myself for allowing the abuse to go on for years. I was blinded by love and convinced myself that he was jealous because he loved me. But I now know better.
I didn’t only lose my daughter, I also lost my job. I’m a qualified artisan but because I have a disability, I had to be moved to a different position. I now work as a furnace manager.
I could not face the world. My confidence took a knock after spending time at the hospital. I could not stand the stares and the pity people felt for me. I managed to forgive him after attending counseling sessions.
I haven’t seen or heard from him since the incident, but he has sent his family members and friends to apologize on his behalf. I have forgiven him, but justice has taken its course, and he is now in jail for attempted murder and murder.
By forgiving him, I was able to let go of the anger that consumed me for years. I had to adapt to a new lifestyle. My skin is now sensitive and I had to be taught how to walk and do some of the basic things that I previously took for granted.
Luckily, emergency services staff got to us before we died. We suffered third-degree burns and 99 percent of our bodies were covered with scars. Doctors didn’t believe that we would make it out of the hospital alive.
I was unconscious for weeks and my daughter passed away after a few days in the hospital. This was the hardest time of my life.
I could not attend her funeral as I was in a critical condition in hospital. I was hospitalized for six months. I blamed myself for allowing the abuse to go on for years. I was blinded by love and convinced myself that he was jealous because he loved me. But I now know better.
I didn’t only lose my daughter, I also lost my job. I’m a qualified artisan but because I have a disability, I had to be moved to a different position. I now work as a furnace manager.
I could not face the world. My confidence took a knock after spending time at the hospital. I could not stand the stares and the pity people felt for me. I managed to forgive him after attending counseling sessions.
I haven’t seen or heard from him since the incident, but he has sent his family members and friends to apologize on his behalf. I have forgiven him, but justice has taken its course, and he is now in jail for attempted murder and murder.
By forgiving him, I was able to let go of the anger that consumed me for years. I had to adapt to a new lifestyle. My skin is now sensitive and I had to be taught how to walk and do some of the basic things that I previously took for granted.
I used to get angry when people stared at me. I would approach them and tell them off, but I don’t do that anymore. I miss my daughter daily, but I believe that it is for the best that she has passed away. What kind of life would she have lived knowing that her father tried to kill her?
I’m now stronger and more confident. I’m using my experience to help other women and survivors. Women should not wait to be killed by their partners before they get out of abusive relationships.
Courtesy/Motherhood in-Style
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Relationships