Danie Leigh

Her marriage involved emotional control and abuse, as well as physical violence. After a miscarriage, she needed six months away from work. Rather than offering care, her husband blamed her for not being emotionally available to him.

She was called crazy, emotionless and selfish. His explanations repeatedly made her responsible for the difficulties in their relationship. Later, she discovered activity on a BDSM website and learned about cheating and attempts to meet other people during the marriage.

She fled to a women's shelter. Learning about those betrayals added to the pain of leaving and to the sense that the relationship she had believed in was not what she had been told.

She wants people to see the person beyond the accusations: funny, creative and someone who loves making art that brings a smile to others. She has hopes for her work and creative projects. Surviving the marriage is part of her story, but so are the things she still wants to make and do.