It must have been about 11:30pm when I started panicking. I had never been on my own in the streets at night. I could hear people coming out of the pub, and I froze. Oh gosh, what do I do? I was terrified. I ran to the phone box and, after scuffling through my bag for the 20 pence, I rang a friend or two to see if they could help me. They said no. They knew I was in a bad place and that helping me would bring shame on them and their families. I was all alone. Luckily I had the telephone number for the Samaritans in my diary. I must have had the foresight to jot the number down when I saw it at school. I rang the number, in a state of panic and overwhelm, mixed with relief and freedom. I had escaped, yet I was fearful of where I would end up or what might happen to me. The Samaritans reassured me that everything would be okay. They kept me talking until a taxi collected me and took me to a refuge. A shelter for women and children who had suffered domestic abuse. My mission is to empower others to believe in themselves...something that I too have had to learn. I believe that life is for living, loving, and enjoying...so be happy. Initially, because of my past conditioning and experiences of abuse, I believed I didn't deserve to be happy. Now I run my own business uplifting, motivating, and inspiring people to find their own happiness.
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