Jane Lewis was forced into making a choice that no mother should ever have to make. After surviving a year long court battle with a controlling ex-husband and an inadequate British justice system, four years later the system let her down once more. This time giving her no other option but to sacrifice one child to protect the other. It was a sacrifice that almost destroyed Jane once and for all.
This is her continuing story.
Excerpt
This story is about being forced to make a choice that no mother should have to make. I was left with no other choice, but to sacrifice one child in order to protect the other through no fault of my own. My then sixteen year old son and his father’s turbulent relationship landed on my doorstep late one night and I had to call the Police as I was unable to control the situation between them and I was also conscious that my six year old daughter was upstairs in bed. My son had been drinking and taking drugs, which led to him fighting with his father, but instead of dealing with it at his own house, my sons father decided to bring it to my house instead. My son, Callum was hospitalised, and his father was arrested. Callum was eventually released into my care, but not before Social Services were called. Anyone who has read my autobiography ‘THE JOURNEY: From victim to survivor’ will know that that was something I did not need. They began to ask questions about my daughter and put pressure on me regarding Callum. They questioned my parenting and the safety of my daughter. I was forced into a corner, a corner where there was only one way out of. I couldn’t take the chance of Social Services contacting ‘that man’. my second ex-husband and going through another huge legal battle. The system was failing me once again and I had nowhere left to turn. There was only one way out that I could see. No matter what, I had to protect my daughter at any cost and the cost was way too high. It was a cost that took me to the brink of despair and not knowing if I would ever make it back again. I did make it back from the brink with help from family, friends and medical intervention. I had renewed anger and contempt for yet another part of the system that is supposed to help, not throw you under a bus. My advice to anyone who is dealing with our system in one shape or form is to not be afraid, stay strong and never give up or give in. You will find that you are much stronger than you think you are.
