Levonian
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A Portrait of Courage
A woman’s extraordinary and violent life becomes a haunting tale of strength and survival. By Katherine Burns.
Peggie Reyna, the Project Director of the Deaf and Disabled Services at Los Angeles Commission on Assault Against Women (LACAAW), mesmerized a room full of ALDA members with her personal tale of great tragedy and even greater triumph.
In simple, eloquent language, she described an early life of abandonment and abuse, followed by even worse years of physical and mental torture, made even more unbearable by the exquisite pain of losing two children as the direct result of violence.
Married at 15, she endured two marriages to men who seemed to think nothing of making her life miserable, breaking her bones and trying to break her spirit. When her second husband beat her into unconsciousness, damaging the inner bones of her ear, she lost her hearing. But she somehow gained a new life by learning sign language and receiving vocational rehab services.
Though Peggie was finally on her way, she had to suffer the loss of one daughter from a hidden brain injury—thought to be the result of trauma during Peggie’s pregnancy with her. The hospital thought it was a car accident; Peggie knows it was the kicks to the stomach she received.
Another daughter was killed by her estranged husband, a terrible but almost inevitable ending that Peggie could foresee but not warn her daughter enough about. Two other daughters have had huge problems with relationships and substance abuse, and one grandson is a drug addict. So much pain being perpetrated because of this history of violence.
Peggie is determined to make it end for her family as well as others and has made great efforts in her crusade to do so. To hear how she pulled an altruistic goal of saving others from this horrific life of adversity was inspiring and motivating.
Peggie has received numerous awards and she has been instrumental in passing legislation that punishes the abuser and in developing self-defense and support programs specifically targeted to deaf and hard of hearing women.
She is not afraid of public exposure and has appeared on various talk shows, as well as 3 years as "Peggie" on Days of Our Lives and five episodes as "Dr. Maxine Robinson," counselor to Marlee Matlin on Reasonable Doubts. Peggie uses any and all publicity to further her cause, which is to stop the cycle of violence.
Peggie’s story was painful to hear and almost sickening to imagine. But the strength and determination she expresses lets you see that she will not be intimidated or dismissed.
Through her personal experiences and public works, Peggie Reyna has quite possibly done more for deaf and hard-of-hearing abused women than any other single individual. She has lost so much but given back to us a hundredfold.
"There’s a quote that says ‘the difference between stepping stones and road blocks is how you use them.’ I think it’s true, because I thought about my life and I made the decision that I could go sit in the corner and be disabled, or I could go out in the world and make a life. I feel I’m a good advocate, but advocating for others is what gave me a reason for life." —Peggie Reyna
If you or a loved one are a victim of violence, or to volunteer at LACAAW, please contact Peggie Reyna at (213) 955-9090 or (213) 955-9095 (TTY). E-mail Peggie at peggie@lacaaw.org or visit their website: www.lacaaw.org
A woman’s extraordinary and violent life becomes a haunting tale of strength and survival. By Katherine Burns.
Peggie Reyna, the Project Director of the Deaf and Disabled Services at Los Angeles Commission on Assault Against Women (LACAAW), mesmerized a room full of ALDA members with her personal tale of great tragedy and even greater triumph.
In simple, eloquent language, she described an early life of abandonment and abuse, followed by even worse years of physical and mental torture, made even more unbearable by the exquisite pain of losing two children as the direct result of violence.
Married at 15, she endured two marriages to men who seemed to think nothing of making her life miserable, breaking her bones and trying to break her spirit. When her second husband beat her into unconsciousness, damaging the inner bones of her ear, she lost her hearing. But she somehow gained a new life by learning sign language and receiving vocational rehab services.
Though Peggie was finally on her way, she had to suffer the loss of one daughter from a hidden brain injury—thought to be the result of trauma during Peggie’s pregnancy with her. The hospital thought it was a car accident; Peggie knows it was the kicks to the stomach she received.
Another daughter was killed by her estranged husband, a terrible but almost inevitable ending that Peggie could foresee but not warn her daughter enough about. Two other daughters have had huge problems with relationships and substance abuse, and one grandson is a drug addict. So much pain being perpetrated because of this history of violence.
Peggie is determined to make it end for her family as well as others and has made great efforts in her crusade to do so. To hear how she pulled an altruistic goal of saving others from this horrific life of adversity was inspiring and motivating.
Peggie has received numerous awards and she has been instrumental in passing legislation that punishes the abuser and in developing self-defense and support programs specifically targeted to deaf and hard of hearing women.
She is not afraid of public exposure and has appeared on various talk shows, as well as 3 years as "Peggie" on Days of Our Lives and five episodes as "Dr. Maxine Robinson," counselor to Marlee Matlin on Reasonable Doubts. Peggie uses any and all publicity to further her cause, which is to stop the cycle of violence.
Peggie’s story was painful to hear and almost sickening to imagine. But the strength and determination she expresses lets you see that she will not be intimidated or dismissed.
Through her personal experiences and public works, Peggie Reyna has quite possibly done more for deaf and hard-of-hearing abused women than any other single individual. She has lost so much but given back to us a hundredfold.
"There’s a quote that says ‘the difference between stepping stones and road blocks is how you use them.’ I think it’s true, because I thought about my life and I made the decision that I could go sit in the corner and be disabled, or I could go out in the world and make a life. I feel I’m a good advocate, but advocating for others is what gave me a reason for life." —Peggie Reyna
If you or a loved one are a victim of violence, or to volunteer at LACAAW, please contact Peggie Reyna at (213) 955-9090 or (213) 955-9095 (TTY). E-mail Peggie at peggie@lacaaw.org or visit their website: www.lacaaw.org
