Help Us Rebuild: Supporting My Sister After Domestic Abuse

Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Hearts,

I'm reaching out to you with a heavy heart, but also with hope and determination. My sister, Michelle, has been through an unimaginable ordeal. She has faced abuse at the hands of someone who was supposed to protect her, leaving her emotionally scarred and struggling to rebuild her life.

On a Friday night, having lost his job the day prior, Michelle's fiancée snapped. Without going into great detail, he began to take any and all frustrations within him out on my sister, using his hands and boot covered feet. When he was finished, he rushed from the scene, leaving her alone, in a broken and bruised fetal position. Michelle, being a very strong willed woman, mustered up enough strength to pull herself up off the floor and make her way over to a neighbors house where they quickly dialed 911 and drove her to the nearest hospital.

At the hospital, after the assault, the police compiled evidence for their report. In the report they described Michelle as, “severely beaten and unrecognizable.” During the assault, Michelle sustained several broken ribs, fractures, in both orbital bones, broken jaw, bruising on her face, including one that was consistent with being kicked or stomped, in other words, a bruise that looked like a boot print. The injuries Michelle sustained were so severe that she had to be transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics where she may have to undergo multiple surgeries to repair the extensive damages done to her. Additionally, due to the severe nature of these injuries, Michelle will not be able to go back to work for several months, which has the likelihood of causing a great deal of financial stress on top of the emotional and physical pain she is already dealing with.

In the aftermath of this trauma, my sister will courageously seek to reclaim her life. However, the journey to healing will be long and arduous, and she cannot do it alone. That's why I've created this GoFundMe campaign—to rally support around her and provide her with the resources she needs to move forward.

The funds raised through this campaign will go directly towards supporting my sister in various ways:

1. Therapy and Counseling: Healing from abuse requires professional support. The funds will cover therapy sessions and counseling services to help my sister process her trauma and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

2. Legal Assistance: Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming, especially for survivors of abuse. We aim to provide my sister with the necessary legal assistance to pursue justice and ensure her safety.

3. Medical Expenses: Abuse often takes a toll on one's physical health as well. The funds will help cover any medical expenses my sister may incur as she works towards recovery.

4. Financial Stability: The abuse has disrupted my sister's life in many ways, including financially. We want to ensure that she has the stability and resources she needs to rebuild her life, whether it's finding a safe place to live or covering basic expenses.

Your support, no matter how big or small, will make a significant difference in my sister's life. By contributing to this campaign, you're not just providing financial assistance—you're offering hope, strength, and solidarity to a survivor on her journey to healing and empowerment.

Please consider donating and sharing this campaign with your networks. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in my sister's life and show her that she is not alone.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, compassion, and support.

Sincerely,

The Strauss Family