Dear Lovely Ladies of StepTalk,

I was on here a few months ago, when I was really struggling - and trying to find solutions for problems that I couldn't solve by myself. You all gave wonderful advice and I am very grateful to all of you. Even the slightly....strong-minded responses.

The Skids (in case it jogs the memory):
Incontinent boy (due to video game addiction) SS11 and BitchPrincess SD13 (she is much like many horrible little girls on here. Manipulative and pulls the wool over everyone's eyes).

My wife continued to be abusive - cutting me off and badmouthing my friends, keeping me in the house (we live remotely and there really was no way round it. Not like living in a city with independent funds.) One car. She also spits, throws things at me and loses her temper violently, just about every day. She is a very lazy parent and has not disciplined or spent enough time with her children. The result is a dysfunctional and financially unstable house. It is a poisonous atmosphere and I was suffocating.

I got my Green Card (a long, expensive and draining process) and now have a part time job, which is AMAZING. It is totally unskilled and a quarter of the hourly rate I got in London, but I work with wonderful people and I can escape the prison for a few hours.

I just wanted to say: I was a strong, independent, resourceful woman. I got trapped in a foreign country, no money, no friends. Suddenly, not strong, independent and no resources. Weak. Broken. Defeated, almost.

Luckily, two friends are letting me borrow enough to get my airfare home, where I will rebuild and recover.

Loneliness is a terrible thing and it led me to a terrible place. But I am escaping.

I have hopped on and off here, and have to say that a lot of us need to break free. I'm booking my flights tomorrow and won't be telling a soul. I have a cover story lined up.

It has been a very hard decision. I had been lied to, to get me here. Lied to when I got here, so I am having to lie now to get out, which isn't a good feeling, but knowing I am going to be safe far outweighs it.

Abuse is a terrible thing - my situation is not as violent, as she has not hit me.....yet. She has throw a glass, washing basket and books at me, but not anything that left a noticeable mark.

I am sending love and light out to those who are in the same position. I wish you luck and good friends to help you through it.

I'm getting out. Maybe this will help someone else see they can do the same.