Kretz-Rising Above Domestic Violence

“Find out what you do well and do it for all you’re worth!”

Facing Domestic Violence

It was a rude awakening. I was 26 years old and in a very bad marriage. My weight dropped to 85 pounds and my doctor said if I got sick I was not likely to not recover. One day driving home from the school where I taught I heard the song “Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover.” At the next confrontation with my husband, I gathered my courage and was gone, taking only my car. What a feeling came over me—Freedom!

From Fear to Action

     Something changed drastically that day. While I was frightened of everything, I had a dream. I wanted to make a parachute jump—and I did. I was so afraid to skydive, I literally took myself to the drop zone and ignored my fear. By the 5th jump, I pulled my own rip chord and saved my life.

       After five years I had my first World Record, 32 women hooking up in the air. I was one of four Americans invited to the first 100-Way Women’s World Record. Diving last out of the airplane came easy. The highlight of thee women’s dive I achieved was the ” Jump for the Cause” where 136 women raised nearly a million dollars for cancer.

            My first 100-way was in France and took a week to complete; it felt like going to girl scout camp all over again. I also did a 120-way out of a C130, the first 144-way diamond formation, the 300-way out of MI 26 Helicopters in Russia (three people short) and the successful 300-way in Arizona.

           Overall I’ve done 2500 dives, earned my pilot’s license and broken 14 World Record Skydives. Now I’m retired from teaching and my last jumps were SOS jumps in California.

 

Get Help-call 800-799-2233

If you need immediate help call the National Domestic Violence Hot Line 800-799-2233  Domestic Violence is a pattern where one partner in a relationship tries to control another through physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse.  Recognizing domestic violence or abuse is the first step. Learn more here

If you or someone you love is seeking greater emotional balance and support to transcend trauma Knowing Acts—Engage in Healing by Heidi Love is a customizable workbook filled with over 100 pages of healing art, easy-to-do exercises, personal examples and recommendations for free resources. 

Follow Your Dreams

           Breaths of Inspiration—If you are frightened of everything, take yourself out and follow one dream. Don’t listen to your inner negative voice. And remember what Picasso said. “Find out what you do well and do it for all you’re worth. Because it’s the artists of the world, the feelers and thinkers that educate and articulate the big dreams.”

We’d love to have you join the conversation. Please comment below—you never know who you might inspire or where it might lead. 

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