Thank you for sharing your story. You are a brave woman/mother.

Wow wow wow! How amazing you and your family are! My heart was racing as I read this. Being blind and deaf really put some obstacles in your life.

Your courage is admirable. I hope that things will continue to go well for you and Joseph.

Angie: I dont know if you were intending your blog to cover this particular topic, but you explain it all wonderfully. I hope you will write more on your successful journey as I think many could learn from your experience. I would like to read more about how your rebuilt your life-- as long as it isn't too painful for you. You were so very brave and I am glad you and your son made it out ok. thanks for sharing.

I think you should be in jail >>> who are you to overstep the laws of any state >>>the court should determine custody of children >>>not you (and YOUR version)

On August 7th, 2006, I was awarded temperary custody of my son in Portage County court in Ohio. On April 10th and 11th, 2007, I returned to Maryland for a custody battle. The court in Charles County awarded me sole custody of the minor child. Thank you.

I would wish that public education in elementary schools would teach/ train boys and girls what abusive relationships are and how to avoid them.
Controlling, abusive behavior, paranoid dangerous manipulative people, how to spot
These people before involvement.

Good for you Angie !

This is a sad but typical scenario. Even though she was scared and shaking she was still brave to comment her escape. It will help her and her son not to continue in a abusive relationship. Your story will give strength to others who are trying to go.

Powerful story. I'm glad you shared and happy for you that you had such a fantastic support system (which is why many abusers try to isolate their victims), who were smart enough to work within the law.

Someone should check on James Murphy's family.... for him to defend an abusive spouse, well, takes one to defend one. I admire your strength Angie. You are very lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive family, keep your chin up sweetie. I hope other abused women learn from your story and it gives them the strength and knowledge on how to prepare for a final departure. God Bless!

Do not mess with Dr. Seuss his stories are true it just depends how you look at them at what age child you are reading them to. Do not mess with the greatest children's writer on the face of the face of the planet earth. He stands along side with the writer of Curious George, and many many others. Now watch out James remember Dr. Seuss is the man.

James put down Dr. Seuss while also putting down Angie. I already gave Angie her congratulations on bravery. But when he tried to say Dr. Seuss was not true when every child who is a Dr. Seuss follower knows they are true he crossed another line. Which shows he is not right to give comment. But to cut this short my last comment was about James comment on the Honorable Dr. Seuss.

No Dr. Seuss is children's stories sometimes with a moral always with a happy endings. Angie Orlando's story is a scenario of what happens in the US practically every day. It is so close to home I am sure I could find 20 women with similar real accounts to this like she had talked to them yesterday. When I worked with the police department interviewing neighbors of the women who did not make it away in time some of the stories were similar. So no Dr. Seuss and Angie Orlando's writings are not the same type of fiction. Talk to any manager of a Safe House for victims of abuse male of female and none will agree with you.

Apalling that people are, in not so many words, calling Angie a liar. And we wonder why so many woman don't leave, or when they do they don't share their stories. You doubters are victimizing her all over again, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Disgusting.

I confess. I did lie. My ex-husband's name is not Greg, and my home assistant's name is not Sarah. Take me away to jail! I invite anyone to look up court records on this story We were in and out of court in both Ravenna and LaPlata. The Maryland records might be in his name. I don't know. As for Dr. Seuss, my son and I wrote a Seuss story called "Elephants Don't Moo." Just the thought makes me break out into a big grain. Thanks for bringing back a happy memory, James.

Another touching story. I was simultaneously cringing and cheering for you the whole time I read it.
Congrats! And the best line of all, "One small step at a time." So true! Thank you for sharing your journey with us!!!

I fail to see which elements of Angie’s story that DON’T ring true. Is it the fact that she was abused? That she is alive to tell the tale? That she truly escaped? That she had a team of well-informed and compassionate people who helped her get out of her private nightmare? As an eyewitness to domestic violence by my father, brothers and even some of the females in my family, this story is all too recognizable. I am just sorry to see that someone would put forward knee-jerk commentary that directs suspicion on what is a far too widespread reality for many women and men – especially those with disabilities.

It would be more prudent and helpful if those who comment would offer up facts as opposed to conjecture.

http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf

James, like many professionals in Human Services, I don’t have the luxury of not believing Angie’s story. I’ve witnessed unimaginable crimes against children, women and other members of the disabled community in my nearly 30 years of work that alone would prove to me that her story is true. However, the fact that I was a part of Angie’s life prior to her escape and did not trust my gut instincts when witnessing what I now know were clear signs of abuse, and the fact that I remain a part of her “post-escape team” are why I and others are so wound up at your ignorance of privilege/convenience. There is nothing anyone can say to another who would contemptuously propose that this type of reality doesn’t exist or has been fabricated for some sort of media hype or to launch their writing career. I just wish I had the internal determination that Angie displays everyday – even when faced with detractors such as you.

James, James, James, James I will assist you free of charge or one of my assistants will check out www.yrright2know.me. I give referrals where you can talk this out. Cause Angie's world is the real world real and unscripted. Sad but true.

Angie: If you ever needed a tad bit of validation you did the right thing by leaving all those years ago, read James' posts again. Many people still have that type of mentality and it's that mentality which keeps abused ones from escaping.

Something you wrote in one of your comments made me believe you 200%. ( I already believed you 150% ) You changed your ex's name in the article. A victim AND a survivor would do that. Keep writing!

Yes I read Dr. Seuss on a regular basis I love Green eggs and Ham I also cooked Green Eggs and ham for my kids when they were little just like my teachers cooked them for me when I was younger. They were delicious. When my grandkids grow up a little I will cook it for them. Try it sometimes just use a little food coloring (green of course) and your imagination. Angie did not need to use her imagination. Hers happens every day many times a day. Talk to any cop in any city, town or township in the country.

Several comments were deleted for breaking our terms of use. Please stick to the rules and have common courtesy for one another. Thank you

Domenstic violence is such an ugly thing. I appreciate all the love and support. Some people out there just can't or won't understand. I think it's time to end the debate and move on. Please read my new post "A Woman Like You" to learn more about the "face of domestic violence." Perhaps that will help with what is most needed here -- education.

Even more comments were deleted for violating our Terms of Use. You can not attack or threaten someone.

While I too am saddened that this article roused such emotions, I am not surprised by attempts of individuals in the shadows to intimidate those of us who dared to speak up. This type of cowardice behavior is the trademark of those who abuse others. They either never show their faces or they steer clear of picking fights with those who will fight back – thus the reason for threats in a forum such as the Patch. I just hope that any deleted threats are handled fittingly by the proper authorities if so warranted.

Sophie you are so wise to be so young. For anyone who needs help go to my website www.yrright2know.me to get my email I will help from whatever situation of abuse you are in. The only thing that frightens me is the devil its self and even it better step aside when I come in the door. No kidding I am a one woman army when I come to help. So everyone don't let these intimidators throw you off your path of getting away from abuse, there are enough of us out here to help you.

Ok everyone just calm down go home make a plate of green eggs and ham which will calm your nerves try some green tea too then drink a glass of water walk around the block take a nap and you will see the world differently. Have a good day, school starts this week yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

John McMillan you are a true man and I commend you. Some men have other things going on that direct their opinions not always in the right way. It is nice to hear from a the side of a positive male to remind everyone there are many out here.