“Does this look like LOVE TO ANYONE OF YOU?” a Tennessee woman wrote under graphic photos of her battered face she posted online to raise awareness about domestic violence.
Angela Brower, 37, posted the disturbing pictures to tell the story of her violent boyfriend of six months, who she says became increasingly verbally and physically abusive towards her, causing their break-up.
On May 18, he came over to retrieve his belongings. Instead, according to Brower, he attacked her — punching her in the face so hard that she was knocked out.
“The orbital bone around my eye was completely shattered and my nose was broken on both sides and very displaced,” Brower told The Huffington Post.
Brower said she regained consciousness only to find him beating her in the back of the head. After she pleaded with him to spare her life for her children, she said, he stopped, and that’s when she found a chance to escape.
When Brower was released from the hospital, she took photographs of her injuries and used Facebook to spread her message.
Domestic violence isn’t a joke.
“I want to raise awareness for women who are afraid and ashamed of what has been done to them,” she said. “They blame themselves. I want them to know that it is not their fault.”
And for many, it can be the difference between life and death. Thankfully, Brower survived her attack, but not without some serious wounds…and financial woes.
On May 29, she underwent surgery to remove bone fragments from her face and to place a metal ring around her eye to stop it from collapsing, according to her posts. The bottom left side of her face is still completely numb, and Brower said doctors have told her that the feeling might never return.
Brower added that she’s worried about her financial security. She is a server who lives paycheck to paycheck, and she won’t be able to work for the next several weeks.
“I have health insurance, but it only covers half the costs,” she said. “I don’t want to lose everything I have because I fell in love with the wrong person.”
Brower says she is feeling a bit better since the surgery and is hoping to raise money to cover her medical bills on GoFundMe.com. To help Brower, click here.
As for her abusive boyfriend, he has been charged with aggravated assault and is being held on $20,000 bond.
We wish Brower a speedy recovery.
SOURCE: Huffington Post | PHOTO CREDIT: Facebook/Angela Brower
