Denise Roberts

I had a very happy childhood, tropical weather in Trinidad, fields and creeks to explore with my siblings, etc. What a sunny child I was….until I started school. Although I excelled and skipped a few grades my father mercilessly ridiculed me for small mistakes. So traumatised I began to shut down.

At the age of 12 I was sexually abused. I left home at age 16 to live with my boyfriend. He intimated me and threatened that I could never leave him. I did however leave when I was 18 because of this wonderful world, much greater than him; however, realizing I was pregnant I returned to him. I had my second son at 19. The abuse escalated from shouting to shoving and grabbing to a severe beating. I left the very next day, badly bruised and frightened. I could not imagine staying, living, sleeping with, wondering when the next punch would come.

I studied and worked in the Aerospace industry for many years. I met my Ex husband there and we had 2 more sons. He was an alcoholic who was mentally and financially abusive. I left him with nothing. Raising my 4 sons on my ownI returned to school and studied Pharmaceuticals and Nursing. I wanted to help others. I am a strong advocate of healthy clean living. That is my focus.

I could have made the abuse heaped on me cause me to be bitter, angry, depressed, weak confused, or cause me to withdraw. I choose to triumph. This is a wonderful world filled with fantastic people and that is what I would concentrate on.