How Realities Helped Me: Escaping Domestic Violence To Triumph

Northern Colorado may be an affluent and a well-educated area, but many would be surprised to know that thousands of children in the area suffer from abuse and neglect.

The local nonprofit Realties For Children provided emergency funding for 5,618 children in 2020.

In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Townsquare Media Northern Colorado is raising awareness and funds for the essential community organization with Realities Rooftop Raise.

Townsquare radio stations New Country 99.1, Retro 102.5, 99.9 The Point, 94.3 The X and Power 102.9 are broadcasting on top of the Elizabeth Hotel rooftop for 36 hours on April 7 & 8. Donors can also contribute online or in-person with a bucket that will be lowered up and down from the roof.

As part of the fundraiser, Townsquare Media is also profiling triumphant stories of how Realities has helped abused and neglected children in our community. To protect their identities, we are keeping each person anonymous.

Here's one such firsthand story, submitted by a youth who overcame their adversity.

My mom, my sister and I left a home filled with abuse, domestic violence and neglect. In addition to this trauma, I have also been battling a rare and very painful disorder my entire life. My disorder was a constant companion when we left the abuse, moved on from the domestic violence shelter, left my friends, work and school and continued to move to 17 different houses within a year, often going from couch to couch. Most days, I was in so much pain it was hard for me to get out of bed. So, I have had to overcome the abuse while battling this invisible enemy of pain as well. It has been a very lonely life so far, but it is through these hardships that I am still growing and building a new life for myself. The trauma I carry with me has been detrimental, oppressive and overwhelming, but thanks to people who have given me hope, I am ready to move on and forward with my life. After all I have been through, I want to bring hope and help others to make sure that they don’t have to go through the loneliness and pain that I have. There's been a lot of suffering, but in the end, I am here to triumph.

As part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Realities For Children is honoring local youth with Triumph Awards.

Here's a Q&A with a 2021 recipient: