Karen Winters

“Do not let people call you a victim and do not let people pity you. You are stronger and braver than you think you are.” Those are the words that I live by. As a survivor of domestic abuse, I want to use my own personal experiences to bring the topic of domestic abuse into the mainstream. It is a topic that for so many years has been considered taboo. I want to bring the subject out of the shadows and into the light of day. I want to give a voice to fellow survivors and help other realize the complicated dynamic of abusive relationships.

There are many types of domestic abuse and I want people to understand that domestic abuse can happen in any relationship dynamic. I want to convey to my readers how addiction, mental illness, and family history are often triggers for someone to become an abuser. Although there is never an excuse for someone to commit domestic abuse, I want to give my readers some insight into the mind of an abuser. Through firsthand knowledge I have come to understand that domestic abuse might not end even when the relationship is over.

I am a believer in the power of positive thinking. My recovery from complete paralysis, at the hands of my abuser, shows how powerful a positive attitude can be. Although I recovered from paralysis, I remain disabled. Through my writing, I hope to let my readers know that positive thinking can be a powerful tool and that having a disability should not stop anyone from achieving their dreams.

I am currently attending Southern New Hampshire University as a Creative Writing Major with a concentration in Psychology. I currently reside in New York State where I live with my three cats. I also care for a large colony of feral cats, squirrels, possums and the occasional raccoon and skunk.