Domestic violence survivor shares story

ZULULAND motivational speaker and domestic abuse survivor Michelle Michael will share her story of breaking the cycle of abuse this weekend at a women’s conference in Richards Bay.

‘I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to be’ is the theme of her talk at the Huberta Hall on Saturday.

She describes the event as one that will take women back to the basics, helping them discover themselves and show them that with God, all things are possible.

‘No matter what we go through, always remember that we are ‘going through’ and not stagnating.

Michael has survived and overcome domestic violence and has dedicated her life to empowering and educating those who are still living in abuse.

‘We have to break away from the stereotypes and stigmas attached to abuse.

‘Nobody has the right to abuse another human being. Abuse does not happen because women ‘ask for it’,’ she said.

Living in Richards Bay for a decade and as a policewoman with 24 years service in the South African Police Service, she is actively involved in her local community and works closely with abuse victims and survivors of all ages.

She is currently studying professional life coaching and facilitates a facebook group called ‘Metamorphosis…. It’s a process’.

Using the social networking platform, she shares her testimony, exhorts and allows other women to realise that nothing is impossible when you allow God to take control of your life.

She strongly believes that every woman has the inherent ability to overcome the most adverse situations.

‘Eventually you will go from caterpillar to butterfly.’