words are flowing out

daisies-and-vervain:

Apparently Irene Bedard has been abused by her husband Deni throughout her marriage. Apparently this was an open secret among people who knew her, but it’s just coming to the public’s attention. Here’s the story from a Word document posted by Bedard’s friends and family—specifically her niece Alia Davis:

Irene Bedard’s StoryI am writing to you on behalf of my aunt, Irene Bedard. Irene is an Alaskan Native actress, and is best known as the voice ofPocahontas in the Disney movie of the same name. She also had a starring role in the television miniseries “Into the West.” My aunt is very proud of her Alaskan Native heritage and used to take great joy in sharing that heritage with the world. However, my aunt’s light has been dimmed. I will explain why.

Irene moved to Alaska in an attempt to flee a horrific domestic violence situation. For 17 years, she suffered abuse, both sexually and physically, at the hands of the one person she should have been able to trust implicitly, her husband. The years of abuse left not only her body, but also her spirit and mind, battered. The abuse had been so pervasive, her health began to decline, rapidly. Her doctor began tests to detect cancer, unaware of the abuse. As heinous as the physical and mental tolls were, they were not the only price my aunt had to pay. 

Please read and reblog.