"Because that was the only life I know," she said.

I was very privileged to interview one of the most recognised social philanthropists of in Western Australia  - Ros Worthington. This short interview was to aid my writing of a media release regarding this wonderful lady who, after establishing three successful non-profit organisations such as Love Angel Foundation, is looking to help The Global Good Foundation (GGF)’s cause against domestic violence.

Ros’ life is one of those you would expect to see in a Hollywood movie, except that it is real.

She was abducted when she was just a toddler and was subjected to sexual abuse at a tender age of four. She explained how domestic violence and physical intimidation changed her life because what people deemed as abnormal and intolerable became the norm for her.

“Because that was the only life I know,” she said.

The battle with her inner demons from the distant past continued to haunt her in her first marriage, which eventually ended in a divorce. Ros attributed that to a lack of trust, which stemmed from the absence of open communication; a vital ingredient in any relationship one intends to establish. She explained how society regarded domestic violence as a taboo subject then and was not to be talked about. In her opinion, even with rapid technological changes and social trends, the issue is still kept under wraps.  

Coming from a happy home in a safe and secure environment, I find the account of her life, possibly the somewhat-similar-to-Ros’ lives of many others whom I do not know, saddening and at the same time, enlightening. From my own understanding, it is bordering absurdity to live in misery and pain even when one knows it is wrong and unnatural to do so, just because it is the only life one knows and is familiar with.

Unfortunately, this is the path many suffering from domestic violence have chosen.

But Ros remains unfazed by her bad experiences. She made lemonade out of the lemons Life thrown her and she did not just survived the ordeals; she thrived. Ros is such an example because she truly exhibits the depth of the human spirit; how one can choose to turn pain into power and triumph. Looking at her smiling face and hearing the joy in her voice, I could hardly tell she had gone through so much.

Perhaps this grandmother can be an inspiration to all of us – to discover more of the person sitting beside you, to help one another along, to always find the strength to stand up again after a knock-out and realise that Life is full of choices; you can choose to make a good one.