Broken by abuse, mom rebuilds life

As part of the annual Press Christmas for All campaign, we share with readers stories of people applying for help. Here’s one of them.

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“Chloe” has called the police only once.

It was the night her abusive partner broke her eye socket — an attack that damaged her vision.

“All I can see are squiggles and shadows,” she said. “Sometimes my vision goes in and out.”

A mom of four, Chloe has struggled with mental illness and the effects of severe trauma throughout her life. She started drinking at a young age and dropped out of school. She ended up in an abusive relationship and lost custody of her children.

The Mental Health Court program in Kootenai County helped her get the care she needed to turn her life around.

Chloe has been clean for three years and working at the same full-time job for 18 months. She’s also working on her GED and has already passed the science test.

Throughout her recovery, one thought motivated her to keep going.

“Every day, I would wake up and realize that my children needed me,” she said. “All I could think about was them and how I could put my life back together.”

Chloe’s children are back in her life. The whole family is healing from the heartbreak they’ve experienced.

“The emptiness in my heart is being filled,” Chloe said.

Chloe said she carried the abuse she suffered into her other relationships. She compared herself to a frightened animal, always looking over her shoulder, constantly braced for more abuse.

“In the midst of my pain, I lost myself and I lost my children,” she said.

But the Mental Health Court program saved her life.

“I’ve overcome a lot of fears,” she said. “There’s still a long way to go, but I’m a totally different person today. I’m sober and I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. I have my children in my life.”

Though Chloe supports herself financially, money is tight. Domestic violence left her with damaged vision and severe back problems, but she can’t afford glasses or physical therapy.

Assistance from Press Christmas for All would help her take care of her medical needs so she can continue working and studying for her GED.

This is the 34th year Press Christmas for All has worked to brighten the lives of Kootenai County residents in need. Each year, Press readers donate generously to the program. Every penny raised is distributed to Kootenai County residents. All overhead costs are covered by The Hagadone Corp.

The gift recipients are our neighbors who are struggling, including the elderly, disabled, homeless and mentally ill. Many who seek assistance from Christmas for All are working, but living near or below the poverty level.

The beneficiaries of Press Christmas for All are going to keep their dignity intact while the community provides a hand up to help get them back on their feet.

Press Christmas for All is managed by The Hagadone Corp., with assistance from Charity Reimagined. It is a legally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, run entirely by volunteers.

With a shorter holiday giving season than usual, please make your donation sooner than later. Here are four ways to do it:

- Mail a check to Press Christmas for All, 215 N. Second St., Coeur d’Alene, 83814

- Call The Press and make a secure credit card donation over the phone: 208-664-8176

- Go to cdapress.com. Click on the MENU button, then click on Christmas for All 2019.

- Drop off your check at The Press weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.: 215 N. Second St. in downtown Coeur d’Alene.

The donations are officially coming in. Here’s who contributed recently:

Mike and Janel Bloom; Johnny and Christine Powell; Jamie Danish; Tiofilo and Kimberly Vidales; Donna Walker; Ned and Diane Tower; Mary Button; Shannon Dryden; Sandra Louise Langston; Sandra Kay; Chris and Victoria Miller; Sally Hall; Dwayne and Anita Moore; Thomas and Sally Stuber; Del and Lucille Bradshaw; Delyea Family; Linda Borg, In Memory of my Husband Michael; Betty Marshall; Sandra Caron; Scott Kindler; Thomas and Kristi Sharbono; Frank and Leta Jessick; Tom and Carolyn Leege; Douglas and Margaret Albertson; Robert and Jackie Jewett; Catherine Tinder; Sheila Gary; Myrna Batten; Vivian Russell; Ronald and Paula Adams; Dick and Janette Compton; Janet Sylte; Frank Riem, In memory of Laura Riem; Esther Alme

Donations $500 or more:

Keith and Sandie Matheney; Ward and Martha Stewart, Jill Tesulov