Stories of Hope… Cassie Card
“My parents divorced when I was three. Later on in life, while I was in therapy, I would learn that this was my first real heartbreak. Then, when I was eight, I was molested by an older cousin. When I finally had the courage to tell an adult about it, I was made to believe that it was all my fault. So I decided to stay quiet because I felt ashamed and never told my parents.
My parents both lived life in the fast lane. My brother and I were always provided with necessities to live, but lacked parental supervision. We had no rules or boundaries, and we were often home alone, which made all the neighborhood kids want to hang out at our house. I had my first drink when I was 11. I hated how it made me feel. I was so sick the next day, but it didn’t stop me from drinking again.
When I turned 13, I briefly moved in with my dad. There were rules and boundaries set in place, and growing up with none, I found it unacceptable. I now know that my dad and amazing step-mom, Jennifer, were just trying to help me have a better life and future. At the age of 14, I lived with my mom’s friends. I was allowed to drink, smoke weed, and do whatever I wanted as long as I went to school. One day while I was suspended, I decided to steal some of their pot. Instead of pot, I had found crank. I was alone and got myself high. Crank filled every void in me, or so I thought.
By 16, I was pregnant with my firstborn, and by 20, I had four children. I gave two up for adoption and signed guardianship over on the other two. I was wild in my 20s—drugs, men, strip clubs, everything, and anything imaginable.
In 2007 I left GA and went to Louisiana for a little over a month. I stopped using, returned, and moved into an apartment with two of my kids. I remained clean until 2010 when I hooked up with an old guy friend. I started using again and left my kids, home, job, everything, and by 2012, I was homeless and out on the street. I began shooting meth and allowed men to use and abuse me. I believed I deserved it because I had abandoned my children.
In 2013, I was arrested for six felonies and four misdemeanors and given probation. In 2015 I met the most violent man I’ve ever known and was unknowingly introduced to heroin. November 2015, I was locked in a shed and brutally beaten overnight. I had experienced lots of domestic violence, but this was the worst. I was forced to read the Bible and quote scripture while being beat by this man.
On January 13, 2016, my probation officer called me and said I had to come in for a drug screen the next day. That phone call saved my life. My oldest daughter, who was 16 by now, was on the streets with me by this point. I would leave her at one trap house to get high in a different one. On January 14, 2016, I sat in the probation parking lot and shot all the dope I had. I walked into the office, blood running down my arm, and told my probation officer I needed help. He said, “You’re going to jail.” And so I did. My mom and daughter got treatment info and gave it to my probation officer. He agreed to give me the choice of choosing to go to treatment. He said I could do 90 days in jail or 12 months of treatment at the Women’s Extension. I happily chose treatment.
On January 29, 2016, I was released and arrived at the Women’s Extension; what a culture shock, rules, boundaries, and having to be dressed with beds made by 7:30 A.M. This stuff, along with Wynema Barber and Christy Hamby, saved my life. The therapy sessions with Wynema and learning how to deal with trauma bonds and PTSD are still game-changers. Christy arguing with the addict inside me one night got me to choose life and stay. I attended all the mandatory classes as well as Bible Study. I learned God is love and not what was beaten into me. Today I have a beautiful relationship with 3 of my four kids. I even regained custody of one after 14 years. I also have a beautiful granddaughter who will never have to see her NiNi getting high by the grace of God. I have an amazing group of supportive friends, and I continue to sponsor other women. I am truly grateful today, even in my struggles.”
