The 911 call in 2008 was life-changing. Sheronica, affectionately called Lady Shea's life, was turned upside down by a relationship she thought would be her ever after. Through a plan and her relationship with God, Lady Shea "got out" and lived to share her testimony.

911 Operator: 911, What's your emergency?

911 Caller: (While Sobbing, In the quietest and most fearful voice) My Boyfriend just beat me up, and I'm hiding in the closet. Can you please send the police? 

911 Operator: Is he still in the home? What is your name? What is he wearing? Can you tell me where he is in the home? Are you bleeding? Do you need an ambulance? 

911 Caller: I am in the closet. I don't want him to know I called the police. My address is ******** Can you send somebody please now (Heavily Crying)

In 2008, my life was flipped upside down. I thought I had met the man of my dreams the previous year. I had it all - my own place, a car, a good job, and an adorable little one. But shortly after, I found myself falling in love with someone else. He was the perfect gentleman - he cooked, cleaned, and had a great sense of style; his swag was through the roof. Three months into the relationship, I was shocked to find out I was pregnant.

Yes, Pregnant!! I immediately questioned God and myself: How could I have allowed this to happen in such a short period of time? Do I really know him like that to be carrying his child? I already have one child, and it was hard enough. The struggle was absolutely real. After explaining to him that I didn’t want to have any more kids, I decided to have an abortion. Why did I do that? 

Fast forward to months after the abortion, I discovered I was pregnant again. Now, this is where my life took a total shift. My relationship with God was rocky, and I wasn’t hearing him clearly at the time. Life was life-ing, and a seed of hopelessness was planted. After having one abortion, I knew in my heart God wasn’t pleased with having another one.  After deep thought, I decided not to terminate the pregnancy; however, I had my reasons. Even though the verbal abuse was present, my prayers were that he would change and see the value in building a family with me.

After a car wreck and 6 deaths in my family during this pregnancy, we reconciled and got a place to live together. Yes, a place together. My 2nd child is here now, and I have to figure out how to maneuver and adjust to this new life I’ve created. My maternity leave was up, and now I have to report back to work.

That's when things really took a turn. As much as I couldn’t fail as a mother first, I would go to work with black eyes and a busted nose. Just bruised. Embarrassed as I might say, the people just prayed for me and offered days off. I attended family functions with busted lips, lying like they were really bad fever blisters.

After the verbal and physical abuse became more frequent, I found myself strengthless, bound, weak, and afraid. I would run but go back because, in my mind, I was all he had. I was praying that one time, he would actually change. They don't change. They don't change. They don't change. The harder I fought for my family, the more I suffered.

After the second baby and another abortion in between, I found out I was pregnant with twins. It is about to be three kids into the relationship, and this pregnancy was the worst.

After being beaten while pregnant with twins, I knew it was time to get out. I packed my things and got on a plane to go live with my mom. Shortly after the twins were born and the “I’m sorry’s” began to pour in, I went back again. My God, I was so bound.

After so many police reports on file, failed restraining orders, and bonds I signed, I was absolutely lost. No self-worth. No self-value. It all was gone. I was empty. I felt unattractive. A single Black woman with 4 kids struggling to get out of an abusive relationship. When people say leave, it is not that simple. You have to have an Escape Plan, an Exit Plan, a Plan that lays out your next moves to get out and stay out. In those plans, you have to think about all parties involved. Housing. Finances. I’m not talking about the Headspace you must be in to execute.

With that being self-taught, I had no tutorial on how to get out. I had no coach. All I had was a prayer that God would deliver me from the hands of my enemy.

I began to work. I began to work on the strategies from the plan. I started to build outside of the home we shared together. I stationed care bags in certain spots. Gas cans were hidden at people's houses to avoid unnecessary stops. Yes, the plan was to the T.

After marrying this man and having been through it all… I FINALLY HAD MADE IT OUT. I made out ALIVE! And not in jail! I made it out.

2014 was a year of change. It was a year that God said, “When I bring you out of this, you will never be the same.” I knew deep down that my pain had a purpose. I knew my life was designed to help somebody else. All I remember is that last choke until I was blue in the face, the look in his eyes, and his words, “I'll kill you”. In that moment, God gave me a strength that I had been searching for years. A strength that allowed me to walk away wounded. Scarred. Bruised. Hurt. Broken. But yet willing to trust him for whatever came next.

That day when I first called 911, I had no idea that 8 years later, my passion would be to speak out and tell my story. With a permanent scar on my lip that often reminds me of what God brought me through, I speak Boldness and Strength to anybody who finds themselves in a similar situation. I wish somebody told me I could get out. I wish I knew about all the resources that are available to help DV Victims. You can Get Out and Stay out!

There is life after the pain. Love does find you. Healing does eventually show up. You don't have to be a Victim forever; it only lasts for a season. You have choices. Your mental capacity has to process the change before you attempt it. You literally have to see yourself out of it first. My mama always told me, “There will be Glory after this,” and it is.

I am now married to a good man. A good man. I am an Ordained Elder. Entrepreneur and President of Power99damixx Radio. Currently revamping my Radio Show called “DafellowshipHall”. I have 5 Beautiful kids, and motherhood has helped me heal in many ways.

Listen: My motto is they only change if they want to change. That motto pushed me right into who I am today. I had to make up my mind that love should not feel like this. I deserve happiness, joy, peace, kindness, and faithfulness. I was waiting on God that whole time, but all along, He was waiting on me. Once I put it in his hands and hardened not my heart to his voice, He gave me a way of escape just as he promised.

Get out and Stay out. There shall be Glory after this!