What many don’t see is that behind closed doors, countless women and children live in fear of abuse. This was the reality for Saundra Crockett, whose life changed forever at 28. Once a happy mother of two, she became the victim of horrific physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her husband.
The violence left Saundra with devastating injuries, so severe that an infection began to destroy her face. Doctors once told her she had only three days to live. But she survived—strong enough to escape her abuser and protect her children.
For 12 long years, Saundra wore a mask whenever she stepped outside, hiding the scars from the world. Then everything changed when she met Deborah Alessi, a survivor herself who co-founded the non-profit Face Forward. With therapy, support, and surgeries performed by Deborah’s husband, a skilled surgeon, Saundra was able to open her left eye again, eat properly, and finally reclaim her life.
Today, she no longer needs the mask. Instead, she uses her voice to inspire others:
“If I can speak to one person and give them hope that this doesn’t have to happen to you, then it’s my job to do that.”
Find out more about Saundra’s story here:
