Patricia a Swinney

Beyond The Darkness There Is Light Patricia a Swinney

When I was 18 months old, I lived with my parents in an apartment beside the railroad tracks in Boston. While my father was at work and my mother passed out drunk on the sofa, two live prongs came loose from the connection socket in the wall, possibly because of vibration from the trains. Crawling along the floor in the living room, probably looking for something to eat, I closed my mouth around a plug as if it was a piece of chocolate. What followed was a struggle with pain, disfigurement and reconstructive surgery, as well as a childhood of poverty, loneliness, and fear. From the age of 6, I took on the responsibility of running the household and caring for and feeding my younger siblings, two of whom suffered from muscular dystrophy. I went on to survive an abusive marriage, while doing everything in my power to protect my children. In my thirties, my life took an unexpected turn for the better. I hope my story inspires others to be strong and persevere.