If you want to get the story out there in a meaningful way that is sure to get people to take notice I suggest pitching your story to major news outlets (such as Dateline). If you place emphasis on your health; how it affected it; the corrupt judge and city services aspects as well as the extreme parts of the abuse you suffered when you pitch the story it should get some bites.

I got my college degree in the arts and had to take courses that covered similar topics regarding media and manipulating viewers of media. A story that focuses on the above mentioned aspects it the type of story that sells (so to speak). It's relatively lengthy, grabs at the emotions of viewers from various angles and attracts the attention of several audience types at the same time.

In other words: the news outlets get a juicy story that nets them viewers/money and you're able to get your story heard. You would also likely find at least some supporters out there willing to step in and fight for you or at least donate money to help you recuperate from your losses.


There was a kinda similar story (not even close to as bad as what you went thru, but still pretty bad) in the news several years back that involved a HOA that was unfairly victimizing a man. Basically the HOA of the neighborhood this poor elderly man lived in refused to give him any leeway in maintaining his lawn. He was unable to care for it properly on his own and when the grass turned brow he was ordered to re sod it, but could not afford it. In response the HOA had him arrested and thrown in jail until he could somehow afford the fines they had filed against him for not maintaining his lawn (fines he couldn't possibly pay).

His story got out and people who heard it were furious. Some of the people who heard even jumped in to bail hin out of jail and pay the fines for him (and I think at least one person stepped in to do the lawn maintenance for the guy for free).

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/man-jailed-for-brown-lawn-gets-help-from-neighbors/850257

If that man's story got that kind of response then imagine the response your story could get.

Fort Collins seems to have a lot of corruption. I looked up some things. You might want to look into these for support and to spread your story:
http://www.expatriatetopher.com/2012/12/02/the-case-against-fort-collins-why-fort-collins-sucks-part-1/

http://stopsmartmeters.org/2014/05/16/fort-collins-co-stands-up-to-council-corruption/

Sleepy- yes, David could do that... and a story about physical illness, animal abuse and corruption would sell and I suppose there'd be some satisfaction in yelling after gagged... maybe some money to sell the story to pay for outstanding debt... But if he's worn out, he may not want to go through it.

David, I presume you are worn out, which is why you didn't respond to my PM... just couldn't "go there?"

CC- maybe we should chat some time? I've been trying to reach out to others in similar situations. Are you open to that???

Hugs to all of us abuse survivors. Nothing makes you feel more paranoid as when people really HAVE been out to get you...

@Sleepy: many thanks. Really well written, and really helpful. I cried when I read the story about the guy whose community banded together to HELP him, not HURT him.

Helping is the GOLD medal response.
NOT HURTING ... the silver.
But ... viciously hurting a vulnerable person ... is pure evil.

We all know that.

I'm simply not in a position to rewrite my story. It's like walking right back into that hell. I pretty much wrote it ... a few years ago ... have updated it about twice since, but ... there's too much pain in there.

I haven't had any journalists tell me that it NEEDS to BE rewritten, though, so I don't have any first-hand knowledge that they 'style' is an impediment.

@Rizen: I used to be very skeptical about things that sounded so much like conspiracy theory. Not any more.

I know you said you're near Columbine. When the Restraining Order forced me out of my house, I moved to the Extended Stay hotel, across from Park Meadows. It put me walking distance to food, and near some family.

@Deli: yep. Though I wish I could, I don't think I can walk this path with you. It takes me right back to where I was, and ... in your situation ... nobody's REALLY started retaliating, at this point. Maybe they never will, but ... I can't help but flash back to every single piece of my own story.

I walk the dog a few times a week. I try to make dinner a few times a week. Otherwise ... I'm pretty close to catatonic ... just plastered to the couch, watching the TV ... eyes burning and half-closed.

As I've told my family ... all really is lost. No way to manage my health. No way to manage my pain. No way to improve all of the disabling issues with my eyes. Having heart troubles that jack up stroke/sudden cardiac death risk ... troubles that we can't safely treat.

As I've told myself ... it's like they took the wheelchair from a quadriplegic, and left it so that he COULD NOT get another one.

I breathe. I just breathe.

I highly recommend it ;-)

I'm so impressed that you are so calm about it now. I'm sure in the midst it was much different. Your story is horrific and terrifying. I don't think I will ever get the seperation of people who mean to do harm from those who truly mean to help (although I do know its there) I just can't identify it and don't trust my own perception of people.
I'm glad u have ur furry companion (typed from the bottom of a three deep pile of dogs) I hope they find som way to improve ur quality of life. Until then keep breathing.

If you pitched your story to the media you likely wouldn't need to rewrite much of anything (likely just a brief synopsis that touches on the points I mentioned before and a copy of what you already wrote). The media will likely want to handle most of the rewriting themselves in order to make sure what they in turn report complies with any applicable policies they have and/or laws and regulations.

@gigglemon: thanks much. It really does get harder to tell the good ones from the bad ones.

If only the times that people were good to us left as indelible an impression on us as the times when people were horrible to us ;-)

More dogs = always better ;-)

@SimplyWalrus: I tend to agree. So many thanks for the input.