Gayle's Symbolism

A teacher of 25 years, an optimistic, thriving, calm, and brilliant person with an astounding story that goes beyond words. Gayle was the only male sibling out of four and was sexually abused by his mother. At the age of 16 him and his mother were in an immense fight that resulted in her choking Gayle, trying to kill him. Gayle’s mother was a large woman, weighing almost 600 pounds, so when he defended himself by shoving her off of him she fell and broke her knee. While his mother was recovering in the hospital she refused to be active which resulted in the formation of blood clots that lead to her death of a pulmonary embolism. Gayle being only 16 years old thought that he was the cause of his mother’s death. Gayle came to the Center for Nonviolence about a year and a half ago not knowing where to turn in life. One day he stumbled across an ad for the Center of Nonviolence while being on his laptop, he then called and set up an appointment not even knowing what the institution was about. That is when he met Nicki, his advocate. Gayle said Nicki was a big part in helping him file for a protective order against his ex-husband that was a verbally abusive person and a drug user. They were together for 19 years and married for one. Gayle knew it was time to go when he realized his husband was involved with drugs. This is when he started receiving threats from his husband such as, “I am going to burn your house down.” Gayle and his husband are now divorced and the protective order is still in place. Gayle is still teaching high school
and with the help and support of his advocate, Nicki, he has put together a LGBTQ+ group for the students at his school. At the end of the interview I asked Gayle what his advice would be to someone who is struggling in a similar situation and his response was, reach out for help, it may be difficult but it will be easier in the long run with help by your side.

My reaction: Gayle’s story blew me away.
I was at a loss for words after the interview. I couldn’t believe that a person could go through so much and still be so full of hope. When I first met Gayle, I could feel in his presence that he was a joyful and charismatic man. I could tell that he wanted his story to inspire and help others. I am so grateful for this opportunity to share his story to encourage others that there is
hope.