As a mother, your goal in life is to protect your child. It doesn't matter how old they get, you worry about them constantly. One of the hardest things is realising you are helpless, that nothing you can do will save them. That’s how I felt time and time again with my daughter, Vanessa. I tried desperately to free her from the clutches of her abusive boyfriend. ‘He’s going to kill you,’ I’d warned tearfully. I made every attempt possible – yet, like most domestic violence victims, Vanessa had felt trapped by her abuser and nothing I said could make her see the awful truth about her situation.
Vanessa and my younger daughter, Natalie, were born a year apart, and were inseparable growing up. At 17, Vanessa was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, where the immune system gets confused and attacks the nerve cells. Despite it causing problems with her balance and restricting mobility in her limbs, Vanessa had always been strong-willed, and was determined to live a normal life.
‘Natalie and I are moving in together,’ she announced at 18. And while they were still teenagers and I worried, I was proud of their bond and independence.
Years passed, Vanessa picked up odd jobs, while Natalie married, had kids. It was lovely seeing my girls go out into the world and find happiness, so when Vanessa met a boyfriend, and had Julius, at 30, I was thrilled. Only, by the time Julius was two, Vanessa was a single mum, and struggling with her MS, which affected her decision making. Some days, she couldn’t get out of bed, so I took in Julius full time. ‘You can see him whenever you want,’ I promised.
Vulnerable nature
ãã®èšäºã¯ WOMAN'S OWN ã® January 12, 2021 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã ?  ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
ãã®èšäºã¯ WOMAN'S OWN ã® January 12, 2021 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã? ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
THREE WOMEN ONE DRESS
Gemma Stevens, 34, needed a wedding dress that had stood the test of time
HOW TO HAVE A SILENT NIGHT
Trouble nodding off? Waking in the early hours? Our experts can help
MIND OF MY OWN
The Woman's Own columnist has her say on I'm a Celeb, work attire and young drivers
I THOUGHT HE'D COME TO KILL ME
For Sally Meeson, 45, the end of a relationship was the beginning of a nightmare
Loose Women IN CRISIS
With unhappy viewers and panel fall-outs, are the key characters about to be axed?
MAGNIFICENT MAURITIUS
Pe This istand in the ut 7% Indian Ocean feels Sa: like paradise, says Charlotte Richards
I HATE BEING A MUM
One woman, 55, reveals why she resents all of the sacrifices she made to be a mother
SLASH SUGAR AND SLIM
Trying to lose weight? With these clever tweaks, you donât have to miss out on the seasonal sweet stuff
DAWN HARPER ASK THE DOCTOR
Doctor Dawn Harper answers all your questions
SEX HORRORS SOLVED!
Stop physical intimacy from turning into the stuff of nightmares with our expert advice