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The Pause Button
As summer is now turning into fall, I realize I have been gone for some time here. My last official blog post was regarding the case of little 5-year-old Harmony Montgomery. It has been a long time since I’ve posted anything else, and I want to be transparent about why. The emotional toll that case took on me was immense. I found myself having to pause my research and take a break from my computer on multiple occasions, sometimes with tears streaming down my face.
If you are not familiar with the Harmony Montgomery case, I urge you to familiarize yourself with who she was as a little girl and then what happened to her, here. How someone could do THAT to a child, with special needs or not, is beyond me. But what made this case particularly devastating was that this heinous crime was committed by her own father, her biological blood. The person who was supposed to be her ultimate protector not only failed her but was the source of her pain, fear, and death. It’s a shame how the system that was built to protect her failed her, but what is even worse than that in my opinion is what her own father did to her.
I Was Drained, and Questioning Everything
After I finished the research and writing for the Harmony Montgomery case, I found myself mentally and emotionally drained, with little energy to move on to the next case. This unexpected pause led me to question the future of Wheelchair Detective. But make no mistake, I love what I do. I love doing the research and telling these tragic stories, not because I get any sort of twisted glee from them, but because I believe in giving their full weight and story. My dedication to this is unwavering, and because of my paralegal degree, I have a passion for doing the kind of legal research these cases require.
I want to be totally transparent here as well…I also started this blog with the long-term goal of building it into a source of income, which I know is a slow and dedicated process. However, because of my disability, living on Social Security can be incredibly difficult, as the program limits the resources and income I can have. The pressure of my financial situation, combined with my ADHD, can make me impatient. When money is tight, I sometimes get sidetracked from my main goal and find myself looking for quick-earning opportunities, like using my phone to earn gift cards just to get my bank account back to a positive balance. It can be easy to lose sight of the big picture, even when I know in my heart that this blog is meant to be a voice for change.
Looking for Answers Through Faith
I have been a Christian since I was a teenager, but I will admit I have slipped back and forth many times in my Christian journey. On many occasions, I have forgotten that I should have sought Godโs guidance on what I should do. I want to be clear that I am not trying to step on anyoneโs toes if they believe in any other religion. (I believe in free choice for all.) The Harmony Montgomery case also made me question humanity as a whole, as to why God would let such a precious little girl suffer so much. But I was reminded that we have free will as humans, and it is up to us to make the right choices. Harmony’s father chose to make a bad choice, even though God gave him Harmony as a gift. He just chose to destroy her. Now, he is paying the price. (And if I were to judge, I would have sentenced him to a far greater punishment than what he is receiving now, but I am not the judge or the executioner.)
My Driving Force: Change, Awareness, and Advocacy
After this period of reflection, I am back with a renewed sense of purpose and a fresh drive to fulfill my goal for this blog. Wheelchair Detective will continue to be a voice for victims and a platform for advocacy, fighting to ensure these crimes never happen again. My research and writing shed light on stories that might have otherwise been ignored, as true crime against the vulnerable and people with disabilities often garners far less attention than other cases. While all true crime is tragic, these stories need to be told to push for change and bring awareness to those who need it most. Please stay tuned for more blogs to come, and be sure to check out the (NEW!) News Desk, which you can find on the navigation menu.
Until next time, be wise, stay safe, support and respect one another!
~ Jennifer AKA Wheelchair Detective ๐
Colossians 3:23
http://www.bible.com
‘In all the work you are given, do the best you can. Work as though you are working for the Lord, not any earthly master. ‘
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