Rita's Journey: A Struggle for Survival

By Andrew Lunn Sr.

After years of enduring much physical abuse and domestic violence, Rita had reached the decision the only way she was to survive was to get out of Trinidad. She knew that if she stayed in the country her abuser would find her and she would certainly meet a tragic end. She devised a plan to escape not knowing her fate but willing to take the risk for a chance of a better life. Having to leave her three young sons behind, she entered a world of uncertainty and faced one obstacle after another. See the challenges she faced and how she responded to them. Failure was not an option for her. Read this amazing story of a young woman determined to find a career that would sustain her and eventually pave the way for a new life for her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 9, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468557886

Andrew Lunn Sr.

The author was born in Baltimore Maryland. He is a graduate of Morgan State University. He provided thirty years of service in the area of health and human services. He retired from the Baltimore City Health Department as a Health Program Administrator. The author, (Andrew Lunn Sr.) has published two other books. His first entitled "Poems Reflections: The Black Experience." "Earth Angel: Memories of Love" was the author's second book. "Rita's Journey: A Struggle for Survival" is the author's third book. This is the real life story that describes the life of a young mother from Trinidad escaping a life of domestic violence and starting a new life in the United States. It chronicles her struggles and sacrifices to pursue a career in Nursing. Against all odds, she manged to carve out a decent life for herself and other family members. The story as told by her second husband, the author, describes how she conquered one mountain after another. The last hurdle was coping with the dreadful diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Ironically, after providing thirty years of service as a nurse whose specialty was gerontology, she had to face the reality of living with Alzheimer's disease. Her husband was her confidant, friend, and ultimately her caregiver: a story of devotion and grace under pressure.

Book preview

RITA’S JOURNEY

A STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL

Andrew Lunn Sr.

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AuthorHouse™

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© 2012 Andrew Lunn Sr. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 3/5/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-5788-6 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-5789-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-5790-9 (sc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012903838

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

TRAPPED

REALITY CHECK

ESCAPE PLAN

CONTINUING

HER EDUCATION

INTRODUCTION TO NURSING

REACHING BACK

A NEW BEGINNING

LABOR DAY IN BROOKLYN

TESTING THE WATERS

LIFE AS A MARRIED COUPLE

DAY OF SURGERY

FOLLOW UP VISIT

TO SURGEON

CHANGES IN THE WIND

ADVANCING STAGES

OF ALZHEIMER’S

Many thanks to my wife Rita for having the courage and the patience to share her compelling life’s story with me.

Much thanks to my daughter Andrea in helping me to navigate through the submission process and editing.

RITA’S JOURNEY

A STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL

Rita was the third of nine children born to Miller Hospedales and Agnes Antoine Hospedales. She was born April 3, 1941 in Siparia, Trinidad West Indies.

Reared in a Christian home, Rita’s first steps on her faith journey were learned from her parents. She received her primary education in Siparia and attended La Divina Pastora Roman Catholic Church.

Rita was a very industrious young person who learned to cook and sew by watching her mother. She was also somewhat of a tom boy. She enjoyed climbing the fruit trees that her father planted on their farmland. Rita often assisted her mother in making clothes for her younger siblings. She was very protective of her younger siblings and a very responsible person.

She became a teenaged bride who found herself in a very difficult relationship. She endured much domestic violence at the hands of her husband. What she thought was love turned very quickly to control and fits of jealous rage. The man who used to sing to her and confess his love for her had a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde personality.

Unfortunately, domestic violence was not viewed as a serious issue during the late 50’s and early 60’s in Trinidad as well as other countries. Women were often discouraged by family members from reporting the crimes. In Rita’s case, shame and embarrassment caused her to endure more pain and punishment. When the beatings came more often, and Rita decided to report the violence to the local police she was not taken very seriously. On some instances, the police would try to flirt with her.

Her husband was a very insecure and possessive person. Rita was a very attractive young woman. When they were out to parties or fetes as they are called in the West Indies, Rita always looked very nice. She had no control over how men looked at her. She did nothing to encourage any attention or advances. Her spouse would say nothing to anyone he thought was stepping over the line.

Once, the couple arrived at home however, he would confront her on the way the men watched her. She tried to explain that she had no control over how they looked at her. This conversation generally escalated into a violent episode. The beastman as he was called by Rita always hit her in her head and facial area. She tried to protect herself but was powerless to fend off her attacker.

When she finally escaped to the safety of her parent’s home, she was bruised and battered. Her father was furious and began cursing in Spanish. He sharpened his cutlass (machete) and began looking for Rita’s husband. The scoundrel was nowhere to be found, he had gone into hiding. Rita’s mother (Bea) comforted her and applied a poultice to soak her head and bruised face. Word got to Rita’s older brother (Ben) who searched for her attacker. Sometimes Ben caught up with him and really put a whipping on him.

TRAPPED

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Rita was the mother of three young boys and she was trapped in a failed marriage. She was dependent on her husband’s income for her lively hood. She was in quite a dilemma. Generally, after the attacks her husband would come to her mother’s home and ask for forgiveness. He begged her to come back with him. He promised never to beat her again and to be a good husband and father. Her mother always encouraged her to go back and give him another chance. Her father was not as forgiving.

The peace and tranquility lasted only a short time before the beastman returned to his true form. He always found a reason to put his hands on her. Rita suffered concussions and constant headaches from the pounding in the head.

REALITY CHECK

This is when Rita realized that in order to save her life; she