Story by Sue Finkham
Linda Crissman fondly recalls a favorite outfit. It was a purple suit. She can picture it clearly, hanging in her closet, the only item on the clothing rod. On the floor was a heap of clothing she couldn't bring herself to wear anymore, because none of it fit.
It's not that any of the clothing was the wrong size; it's that the items fit the woman she used to be not the one that stood before the closet.
Linda was a spousal victim of domestic and sexual violence. She had lived in an abusive home in Westfield , and she finally was free of the 21-year relationship. The clothes on her floor were purchased for her by her abuser, and represented control, pain and despair. The purple suit represented both abandonment of the person she used to be and aspirations of the person she wanted to become.
[The victim in the mirror.]
Linda retells the story with humor, grace and wit. To her, she's talking about another person, another world, another time. But it was just three short years ago that Linda was living in an abusive home, disabled after teaching for 18 years, and struggling to survive physically, mentally and emotionally. Sadly, that kind of horrific predicament is experienced daily throughout Carmel . If women only knew. If women only knew there was hope.
I taught kids with emotional disabilities. I'd counsel families on how to prevent and spot physical abuse with their kids, she says. I never considered myself a victim of domestic violence. In the mirror, I saw a bad wife and a good teacher. It was my fault he was unhappy. If I could only improve, the problems would stop.
Linda had an awakening when she read an article that shared ways to recognize abuse. I took the phone in the closet with me, locked the door, and called a national domestic violence hotline, she says. I whispered into the phone, I'm afraid. I've read an article about abuse, and it's my life. What do I do?'
The person on the other end of the line provided her with advice, but told her she wouldn't be accepted into a shelter as a result of her medical, as at that time she was wheelchair-bound as a result of Behcet's disease. Behcet's is a rare, chronic auto-immune disease that results from damage to blood vessels throughout the body, particularly veins. Although she eventually found counseling, the frustration of not being able to get care stayed with Linda.
[Inspiration.]
Based on her experiences as a victim, trying to navigate the system, from going to a food pantry, to pressing charges, to financial struggles and awkward handouts, Linda founded Inspirations of Hamilton County, Inc., so that she and volunteers may serve as ambassadors for other women in similar situations. Inspirations provides education and employment assistance for female domestic-violence and sexual-abuse victims and their children in Hamilton County . The mission is to inspire self-worth in women and children who have experienced domestic violence or sexual abuse by assisting them in becoming financially, physically, emotionally and spiritually empowered.
While Prevail, Inc. provides support groups and court advocacy, Inspirations provides for the physical, financial and spiritual needs of both women and their children. Its educational program provides tutoring, general and special education advocacy, assistance with fees related to obtaining an education, and a year-round school supply boutique. The employment assistance program provides resume and interviewing skills training, employment skills training and placement referrals, employment-retention skills, essential living supplies not covered by food stamps, and professional clothing.
Since its inception, Inspirations has helped more than 200 families. Presently, it serves 30 clients, including 100 children. Linda serves as the volunteer executive director. Linda's long-term goal is to build a domestic violence shelter that can offer round-the-clock medical coverage for women and children in need of care.
[The breath of spirituality.]
Without even a hint of bitterness Linda says, I'm so happy. I'm moving forward. I'm healing emotionally and physically. It's an absolute privilege to work with these clients, and I can't believe God trusts me to do this. Inspiration biblically means the breath of God, and I hope that's what Inspirations can breathe into each and every family that needs help in Hamilton County .
Just remember, she' is out there. She probably has kids, and she needs help. At any restaurant's busy lunchtime, there are probably nearly 10 abused women in the room Everyone's first reaction is to say, not in Hamilton County ,' but this abuse crosses all social economic and educational barriers. If we don't do what we can to help, we'll be leaving a legacy of abuse for our children and their children. That's when I say, Not our county. We can do better.'