Personal Stories:

Meet the Graingers - a dynamic mother-daughter duo bringing awareness about and offering solutions for Domestic Violence (DV) and Childhood Domestic Violence (CDV) in Ireland. Priscilla Grainger initially thought the abuse she endured was normal - often a typical mindset for those who endure DV. It started on Priscilla’s honeymoon and continued for 15 years, with escalating violent incidents...

Dr. Linda Olson is a psychologist, licensed psychotherapist, and social worker with over 30 years of experience in private practice and an emphasis on treating childhood trauma, focusing on Childhood Domestic Violence (CDV). Dr. Linda Olson is a psychologist, licensed psychotherapist, and social worker with over 30 years of experience in private practice and an emphasis on treating childhood...

“Sharing my story in INVINCIBLE was the beginning of a new journey into myself. I know through being vulnerable and opening up to you, that we both are healed.”As a child, I believed many of the LIES children of domestic violence learn, like feeling Worthless, Unlovable, Angry, and Hopeless.I was not in a child’s place for the majority of my childhood. My mother had me when she was a teen, and...

“My turbulent childhood taught me to survive, to overcome, and that’s how I found my voice. Anyone who grew up with domestic violence and didn’t have a voice as a child deserves to have one now.” From the time I was born, through college, and into my adult life, I’ve been told I don’t belong, I am a piece of trash, I am worthless and “let me know when you do something I should be proud of.” And...

>“I’ve realized I don’t need anyone to open doors for me. I’ve opened them all by myself. And the hardships I faced…have fueled me and given me strength to get through obstacles many people might find impossible.”The police knew us on a first-name basis. The summer of 1998 was particularly chaotic because the police were called to our home every single day for a few months in a row. After the...

“Our childhood taught us LIES…But…we are strong and we can overcome this past. Those negative thoughts and feelings are not in charge of our lives – we are.”As the only child, I felt the burden of responsibility early on in life. I was four years old the first time I saw my stepfather hit my mother. Awakened by commotion from the living room, I went in to see what was happening and saw my...

“I am a former child of domestic violence. I will take what I have learned as a child of domestic violence…and continue to help other children of domestic violence. I will be their voice.”“I knew about him beating her, but I never knew how it would affect you kids.”A statement recently made to me by one of my Mom’s childhood friends. I think this statement solidified exactly why I have been...

"The TRUTHS in this book are life changing!" "Nothing hurts more than being disappointed and hurt by the people you thought would never hurt you." - UnknownThis phrase couldn't be truer for me. As a child growing up with domestic violence, it changed who I was, temporarily. Luckily, I can now say, "I am a survivor of Childhood Domestic Violence.”I grew up never trusting anyone and never feeling...