It was absolutely challenging to live with a man who was responsible for raping me, and destroying my dreams and career plans. Emotionally I was being overcome with the stress. Due to changes at work, it became more than I could handle and I took stress leave. My husband did not understand my depression. He insulted my culture and family background. He told me I was lazy and looking for excuses not to work.
He said if it weren't for his illness, he would have two jobs. I should be glad I was physically healthy. He called me names such as duck and elephant. Mentally and emotionally, I was weary of life. Suicidal thoughts circled in my head, as an answer
to my hopelessness and worthlessness.

After struggling financially, we came to the conclusion that I should return to school and find a decent job to support us. I had to look for a course that would take only six months to complete; since that was all the time, we could afford to live off the savings from his previous employment.

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