Why did I jump in Digby harbour today?
[Read the Courier's report and see more photos from her February swim]
Lynn's Letter: after her February dip in Digby harbour to raise money for local women's shelters
Why did I jump in Digby harbour today?
Because I hope this will help women and children to understand they are not alone. There is someone who prays and cares for them. There is a shelter and a place to go.
I was a victim of abuse. Here is one of my many stories:
I had to visit a women's shelter in 2000 in Ontario. At the time I had just left an abusive man who was physically, emotionally, mentally and sexually abusive. He would always criticize me, follow me, time how long I was gone, tell me I was unworthy, threaten me, punched, hit, and pushed me and a whole lot of other abusive actions.
This all left me with a low self esteem, torn down confidence and left me into thinking, "I can't get any better than this. I'm not good enough. I don't deserve any better."
I did not think I could make it without him. He supplied most of my needs (at least I thought) like food and a place to live. I was totally dependant on him at the time, since I had to take care of my two boys, then 2 and 10.
For a while I took the abuse, then finally I came to the point to where I just could not bear it any long-I had to get out.
It was a scary, emotional roller coaster; I did not know where to go or what to do. How do I support my children? How will I be able to afford the refurnishing for an apartment? How will I pay for food?
So many questions go through your mind. Thoughts of what will happen or could happen if I stay. Then thoughts of what could happen or not if I go. So many thoughts go through your mind at that moment in your life that your thoughts could potentially harm, or even kill you, if you cannot get the strength or courage to leave.
But I did it. With the help of a women's shelter, I did it. They gave me a place to stay, helped me gain the strength and the ability to take care of myself once again. They helped refer me to a thrift store to refurnish a home. They also helped me to apply for social assistance to help me pay for an apartment, food and supplies I needed to live.
The abuse I went through left me with an extreme aftermath. I had to learn how to live alone as a single mother and father figure, rebuild my self-esteem and confidence, learn how to live with the trauma I went through, and how to trust again.
I had to find the courage to say "I can do this". The hardest of all lessons was to learn how to love myself once again. The guilt of having children without a father was tremendous.
If it was not for a women's shelter I most likely would not have made it on my own. I had three years of counselling through the shelter and today, I am a real estate agent.
I never thought that I Lynn Hampson would ever be married and have a job. But I did it. With all the counselling I needed I thought I would be emotionally traumatized for the rest of my life.
But.., it's over. I can breath. I can see light at the end of the tunnel. And most of all, I can now help other's who suffer with understanding and empathy for them. I know what they are going through, I know the emotional break down feeling, lost and confused, scared and tired. Lonely and feeling unwanted. I pray and hope with all my heart that they too will take the plunge.
The polar bear dip today, well it's pretty much the same.
I fought my fears, I took that leap into the cold waters of the unknown, I felt the pain of the chilling icy waters, I reached the shores with my numb-feeling body, and again the women's shelter was there to cheer me on. Yes! Now I am warm.
I want to thank all the shelters and I will do all I can to help the shelters in my community. I wish to make the polar bear dip an annual fundraiser. I would especially enjoy it if next year I could build a group to plunge in with me. A group of people who will do this through sponsorship to help raise even more awareness, support and funds to help the shelters.
I would like to thank Jena Melanson for helping me set up and being a wonderful support. Also, Tim Horton's, Marshal Gift Shop, and the Juniper house, Lori Andrews and Suzanne White, for all their support.
Lynn Drennan
[Read the Courier's report and see more photos from her February swim]
