Susan Ryder

It was fear for her safety, for her wellbeing -- this is your mother! i mean, I don’t know if you have kids. But can you imagine being at work and the school calls and says ‘We’re going to lock the school and we’re going to keep your kids for their own safety’?

OK, Mom, I’m going to put your stockings on, i don’t want to help!

I know, Mom, i’m sorry. You’re doing great, Betty.

I couldn’t touch her. I couldn’t hug her, she looked right through me.

She wakes up every single day to a familiar face. She tells me she loves me...and I know she’s safe, i don’t have to wonder where bruises came from on her body. I don’t have to wonder if she’s sitting in a wet undergarment.

I used to be like: ‘You have to do this. Put your foot in this pants legs!’... And she would fight me, now I take five seconds and just wait and do nothing and try again. And sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.

Do I wish I had my life back? Some days, especially when there’s so much craziness going on, but I know she’s safe. I know she’s happy and that’s what matters most. Right?

I love you, who do you love? How about Susan and Cheryl and Karen?

I had a good mom. She taught me lots of stuff.