I married a man who had a history of drug abuse. When I got pregnant, I had high-risk pregnancies. I lost every child I got pregnant with except one and I had to stay in the hospital for 3 months until I gave birth to my son.

My husband's drug addiction, and extramarital affairs contributed to our losing our home. Because we had nowhere to stay, my 5 month old son and I went into a homeless shelter and had to begin our lives again. We had nothing to our names except the clothes on our back.

I went through a program at the time called Good Samaritan Service Center now called Humanitri. They helped me to get back on my feet. I was allowed to save money while staying in one of their housing units for 2 years. After two years, I was able to save three thousand dollars and my son and I moved into our own two bedroom apt where we still live to this day and I work full time to take care of my son, who is now 5 years old.

My husband and I are leagally separated. I wish to someday divorced him but I don't have the funds yet but I'm working on it. I actually work for Humanitri the agency that helped me get back on my feet. My son was my motivation the whole time. I felt he deserved better than the situation he had been subjected to.

So I would say to anyone else in this type of relationship, have courage, if you don't do it for yourself do it for your child,they certainly deserve better.

-- Angelica P