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Domestic abuse survivor shares story

DawnWarden
Surrounded by cards and flowers, Dawn Warden continues to recover in hospital from life-altering injuries sustained during a nearly fatal domestic assault in June. Photo Submitted/For Rocky View Publishing

Editor’s Note: This story contains graphic details. Discretion is advised.

The list of injuries Dawn Warden sustained during a June 9 domestic assault are gruesome.

Two bone-deep cuts on her right shoulder, one extending to her elbow, which required 88 staples. A laceration on the left side of her face that left her ear sliced off – it has since been successfully reattached. Nine severed fingers, three of which doctors were unable to save and reattach. Another 75 staples needed for wounds in her stomach, and 20 staples in her leg.

In total, Warden said, 14 hours of surgery were required to address her injuries, and more surgery is expected.

“This sounds so cheesy, because everyone says it, but you don’t think it’s going to happen to you,” she said. “Honest to God, never in a million years did I think that day was going to go down like this.”

Warden would not discuss the events of June 9 – she’s been advised not to as court proceedings are ongoing. According to a June 10 press release from the Airdrie RCMP, police and firefighters responded to a fire alarm at an apartment located on Willowbrook Road.

“The caller also reported that a woman was seriously injured,” the press release said.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, and Warden was found with “life-altering injuries.”

Following an investigation, Airdrie RCMP arrested a man – confirmed by Warden as a former boyfriend – and charged him with attempted murder, arson, carrying a weapon for a dangerous purpose and other charges.

More than three weeks after the assault, Warden continues to recover in the hospital. As a result of the injuries, Warden’s face is paralyzed due to a severed nerve ending, which will require more surgery after the nerve regrows.

“It’ll take eight, nine months to find out if this branch is going to reconnect from my ear to my mouth,” she said. 

The injuries to her hands will also impact her life going forward. Warden, a hairdresser and painter, said doctors have told her sensation in her hands may never fully return, and she may not be able to make a fist.

“They say I’m probably not going to be able to cut hair again,” she said. “I view things otherwise, because I razor-cut so I think I still will do some, but I’m going to be limited. And they said that the painting would be therapeutic, so I might have to change my style of painting, now.”

Warden said she could remain hospitalized for one to three more weeks, depending on how her tendons heal. She’ll then need at least a year of physiotherapy, according to her doctors.

Warden’s story has touched a nerve in Airdrie. A GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $13,200 as of July 3, and Warden said she’s also received flowers from local schools, a church donate grocery gift cards, as well as countless encouraging Facebook messages.

“The outpouring of support has been – I mean, I can’t even comprehend it,” she said. “It’s been so much, it’s almost unbelievable.”

The attack, she said, has also opened the door for vital conversations.

“I had a woman here in the hospital that I talked to that was thinking about going back to an abusive situation, and [she] didn’t after speaking to me, which was really touching,” Warden said.

As she heals, Warden said she wants to continue having those conversations, and hopes to begin local advocacy work.

“I’m thinking my post traumatic syndrome won’t be as bad if I’m doing something that’s facing exactly what I went through, but in a constructive way,” she said.

“It’s going to be a long time before I can use my hands again. I can use my mouth, though.”

Spurred by both the attack, and the death of her son Coltyn in early 2018, Warden she wants to transform the darkest moments of her life into something positive.

“You have to have something good come out of something,” Warden said. “You have to either learn something or have something come from it. There has to be a reason why something happens. I wasn’t finding a reason before, and I really went to a dark place when my son passed away.”

Now, because of the severity of her wounds, Warden said her perspective has shifted. The traumatic experience has brought her closer to her other son, Kyle. Additionally, she wants to ensure residents of Airdrie can find the supports they need locally when it comes to domestic abuse, drug addiction and mental health.

“I think Airdrie sometimes forgets, because it’s so close to Calgary, that not everyone can get to Calgary,” she said.

Warden also hopes her experience will inspire others in abusive situations to find the help they need.

“Nothing anyone tells you, unless you want to leave, is going to change your mind – I know that,” she said. “But even if you just reach out to somebody, even a friend [so they] know what’s going on, so they can watch you.”

The accused remains in custody.

If you or a loved one are experiencing domestic violence, there are resources available in Airdrie. North Rocky View Community Links has offices in Airdrie, Beiseker, Crossfield and Irricana. Call 1-866-945-3905 (toll free) or visit nrvcl.ab.ca for more information. Airdrie and District Victims Assistance Society (403-945-7290 or airdrievictimassistance.com) also offers domestic violence services.



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