Finding Hope After Hard Times: Mike's Story

Abuse comes in several forms. Sometime people do not realize how badly it hurts. One kind is verbal abuse, which happens when someone uses words to hurt another person. Verbal abuse can be yelling, calling names, or saying mean things. Sometimes the people committing the abuse do not realize they are doing it, and sometimes the person on the receiving end does not even realize it is happening.

Mike Roels is a member of Community Care’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). He shared his story of hope.

Mike Roels used to yell at his children without thinking about how his words would affect them. It was not until he reached a low point in his life that he understood how wrong this was.

"Growing up was hard for me. When I was young, I suffered abuse by my mom, dad, and older brother. My parents would hit me. It hurt me so much that I tried to hurt myself. At just five years old, I felt hopeless and tried dangerous things like drinking kerosene and lead paint. No one talked much about abuse back then, so I did not know where to turn for help. I felt alone and scared," Mike shared.

"The abuse did not stop as I got older. By the time I was nine, I had started smoking and drinking to escape the pain. I felt like I was living two lives—one where I tried to act normal, and one where I was hurting inside. When I was twelve, my oldest brother started abusing me in an even worse way. I could not tell my mom, so I kept it a secret and suffered quietly. I felt trapped and did not know what to do."

But even though life was rough, things eventually got better. Mike asked for help and got the support he needed.

“I am really proud of how I turned out. Before I got help, I did not want to be around anyone. I felt sad and alone,” Mike said. “After getting help, I learned to laugh, joke, and talk to other people. I discovered that I am strong and that I can change my life for the better.”

The most important lesson he learned was to never give up. No matter how hard things get, there is always hope.

There is Always a Better Tomorrow

“Help is out there and it can make a huge difference. My wish is that sharing my story will open people’s eyes and show them that anyone can overcome tough times,” Mike said. “If you ever feel sad or hurt, remember that you can find help, and you can be happy again. Do not give up, there is always a better tomorrow.”

This story is featured in the latest issue of Connections, our member newsletter. Read the rest of the issue and explore more member stories.