how you saved Victoria from homelessness and abuse
Victoria suffered a serious head injury several years ago that has left her struggling to remember much of her life. Some days she struggles to remember what day she does the laundry. Other days she struggles to count to ten, or even recognize her own children.
“It’s hard, I worry about losing all of my memory sometimes. It’s scary. No one wants to forget the people they love, or who they are.” While she does not remember much, she does know that this injury was not an accident. Victoria was attacked by her husband during an argument when he hit her in the head with a solid wooden table. Since that night, nothing has been the same.
Victoria was attacked by her husband during an argument when he hit her in the head with a solid wooden table, giving her memory loss.
“All I remember is getting hit, and that was it. I went to the hospital and tried to get help, but my insurance wasn’t good and I kept having issues. Everything was so confusing to me at that time and I just wasn’t able to really do anything myself.”
Victoria struggled to get by, frequently getting lost, and forgetting important things she needed to do. Without good healthcare, she went untreated for a long time and symptoms escalated to the point at which Victoria was unable to keep a roof over her head.
“I ended up homeless for a year. It was really scary. I got lost all the time, and I really struggled to understand who I could trust because I had issues with reading social cues after my injury. All I wanted was to put myself in a safe situation, and I couldn’t get there.”
Eventually, Victoria lost touch with her children and family as she struggled to make sense of things. Traveling from homeless shelter to homeless shelter, she tried to find somewhere she could make a home and get the help she needed. Eventually, Victoria found a home at A New Leaf’s La Mesita Apartments.
“Coming here changed my life. I finally got physical therapy and could see a doctor. I have an amazing caseworker who helps me keep a schedule.”
“Coming here changed my life. I finally got physical therapy and could see a doctor. I have an amazing caseworker who helps me keep a schedule and budget my money, because those things are really hard for me now. It’s just been amazing.”
Surrounded by people that care for her, Victoria is slowly piecing her life back together, and is focused on improving her health and memory. “I am keeping my goals small right now. I want to get healthy, I want to take care of myself. But eventually I want a job, to live somewhere by myself. I don’t want to have to need all the help one day. But for now, I do need it and I try to tell myself that that’s okay.”
