Victims of abuse share their personal journeys

believed that he would calm down and change as the relationship progressed,” Riet said.

She said she broke things off after three years. “There was no change in his attitude and we separated in 1991. I continued with my life and nothing seemed out of the ordinary, however, people would ask me if we were still together because they always saw him in the same vicinity as me.

“I did not think much of it and considered it a coincidence. I never thought that he was stalking me,” she said.

A year after their separation her former boyfriend stabbed her. “I was on my way home from the recreation centre in Galeshewe. I heard someone saying my name and when I turned around I saw him. He stabbed me four times in my back and arm. I woke up in hospital paralysed,” Riet said.

She said although she was depressed and locked herself in the house for several months after the attack, a friend made her realise that her life was not over.

“I did not want to see anyone and could not deal with the fact that I was paralysed. I stayed in my room until a friend, who is also disabled, came to see me. She told me that, unlike her, I was not born disabled and that my situation should not hinder me from living,” she said.

She later met her husband after realising that her wheelchair did not define her. “My husband was in the police service when we met. He passed away in a car accident in 2013. During that time I realised that there was nothing setting me apart from everyone else.

“I am in a wheelchair but that does not define me or is all I am. Currently I am running my own taxi business, I do my own shopping and get around well at home,” she said. She added that although she endured hardships, these hardships have helped her to live her life to the fullest. “I was very angry at my former boyfriend. I have since forgiven him. I am in a very good place at the moment,” Riet said.

She told other women not stay in abusive relationships. “Women who find themselves in abusive relationships should speak out and get out. It is difficult in the beginning but they will be fine as time goes on and they will heal,” she said.