My daughter received care in the Emergency Department after she was brutally beaten by her boyfriend. They have a history of conflict and were well known to local police. Both were serious drug addicts hooked on fentanyl and tranq. They were the marginalized people whom polite society does not see. They are the people on the streets you avoid.

My daughter thought less of herself than that because she stayed for more. I grieve every day for my bright, beautiful girl who could play three instruments and sing with the voice of an angel. I miss her. She came to the Emergency Room after yet another beating. She told me that she feared he would kill her. She prayed to God to get away.

She tried to seek help from the police, but they wouldn’t assist because it was shift change time, so she went to the hospital for treatment. Rita saw her worth and treated her like she mattered. I found out a few weeks later, when I was at the Emergency Room with my mother, and thanked her for how she treated my daughter, and that she shared a story from that day.

The police came to the ER. I am not sure how they knew she was there, but when the officer found out, he attempted to leave because he'd had previous run-ins with her. Rita saw her worth and stopped the officer. She went out to his car, beat on the window to stop him, and demanded that he meet with her because she was the victim of a crime. He did, and the boyfriend was arrested the next day. Rita was attentive, patient, and kind. I am so grateful that Rita saw her for who she is, not for what she has done.

Thank you for sharing, caring, and treating my daughter, knowing all lives matter.