Freeing the Finch

Lucy is a free spirit with a talent for music, curiosity for knowledge and love of humanity. Her zeal for life shines through her very being as her sincerity inspires all who speak with her. All of her charming qualities are challenged however, after she marries a handsome young Scotsman, Emery.

When Emery met Lucy, he appeared captivated by her cheerful personality, independence and American allure. His obvious charm enticed Lucy into his company and life. After only a year of international courtship, the two marry and look forward to the perfect romance. That is until Emery's true nature begins to emerge.

As soon as Lucy is pregnant and financially dependent upon Emery, he begins his emotional terror upon her and her two sons. Suddenly, all of the qualities that Emery once adored in Lucy become reasons for him to abuse her. Emery kept her caged, and only allowed her to taste freedom when he had the need to display her like a shiny trinket. This only serves to diminish the hope of a grand future for them. The splendour of a finch soon turns dismal and lifeless if not allowed to fly free.

Lucy spends the next eleven years struggling for freedom. The emotional extremes as she tastes a bit of thwarted success only keep her in a constant state of uncertainty. She feels a loyalty to her husband and demonstrates that by sacrificing her own needs to help him. This circumstance leads to pain for her as Emery's hatred drains her energy and renders her captive to his temper and seemingly psychotic behaviour.

Always hopeful, Lucy struggles on. Her determination pays off after a series of strange events prompts her escape from Emery. She feels elated with her decision and begins to restore the person she once was. Her exuberance was short lived because Emery was not finished trying to destroy her.

Unfamiliar with the legal system in a foreign country, Lucy becomes the victim of a flawed system of injustice in a series of ironic twists and turns. Emery holds true to all of his threats and mind games as he sets about destroying Lucy's life. Worst of all, Emery successfully persuades the UK’s Home Office that Lucy abandoned him and their children, and was attempting to reside in the UK illegally. The story he related to the Home Office led to them denying two of Lucy’s successive VISA applications and attempting deportation.

For the next two years, several battles entangle Lucy simultaneously. The biggest struggle is to convince the Home Office that she never violated her VISA agreement and must stay with her children.

Life circumstances test Lucy's resolve every day, yet she remains steadfast in her determination to succeed. She sets her goals and holds to the constant belief that her life is going in the most positive direction. Her optimistic nature is going to carry her through all of these difficulties.

Throughout her struggle, Lucy always maintains the positive attitude that not only will she survive; she will become an inspiration to others who endure tragedy. After a two-year battle with the Home Office, Lucy finally receives the VISA she requires to remain with her children. Lucy's willingness to share her story and offer incisive advice serves as true encouragement for anyone fortunate to read her story.