How a Blind Woman Saw the Ungodliness of Her Abusive Christian Husband
Jannice’s story has so much in common with other survivors of religious domestic abuse.
But consider she met all this while being blind. Her story of immense courage inspires us all.
Jannice is a woman of faith born in the early 50s in rural Ohio, attending church regularly. Neither her parents nor her two younger sisters were born with any visual impairment. They were able to get training for her at Columbia’s School for the Blind. Jannice excelled so much that she studied at the local public high school during the last three years and earned her diploma in 1970.
Jannice met her husband in 1972 at college. What started out as a Christian marriage soon became a nightmare. As so often, the marriage began well. But over time, her husband changed, became more critical, unreasonable, and even assaultive, all while upbraiding her with Bible verses and accusations against her spirit.
Her husband used feet, hands and words to try to break her spirit. As a result she lost three boys, (two were twins), all born after 6 ½ months. His violence compromised her pregnancy and made the babies unable to survive.
As he escalated, she became convinced he would kill her as well.
He refused marital counseling or any urging to seek help at church.
Jannice has an enduring faith in God through which she worked to find and make clear decisions and to choose the best options.
Jannice found work and a safe place to live to sever herself from the toxic relationship. Some women don’t want to break their covenant vow, and Jannice wrestled with this as well. But she writes “I believe he broke the vows of our marriage long before I left.
She also struggled with her commitment to stay married but eventually left for her safety. Jannice believes that it is best for women to try to save themselves with God’s help if a partner does not abide by God’s laws regarding marriage.
Finding work at an area service agency, she moved into her own apartment and built a life beyond abuse with God’s help and good friends.
She then earned a Master’s degree in the late 80s and became a rehabilitation teacher in Louisiana and New Jersey. A promotion took her to Memphis. Afterward she found more opportunity in a Midwestern city. She packed her boxes and arranged the moves by herself.
Jannice writes There is always hope to encourage other women living in abuse underscored by false use of God’s name to harm. She trusts God to meet her and provide for her needs, honoring her faith. She has seen people respond to support her when she showed her willingness to live in faith.
See your God-given dignity as Jannice did! Contact me for access to online support.
A hopeful story of a courageous woman, not only with a disability, but in working through spousal abuse. Thanks to all those who supported her.