Audio Stories of Legal Aid Clients

Hear the voices of Legal Aid clients and family members, as they describe the situations that brought them to Legal Aid. (Some names and identities have been changed for their protection.)

107-year old nursing home resident
After placing her 107-year old grandmother in a nursing home, Beverly felt the nursing home was not giving grandmother the appropriate care. Frustrated at the lack of communication, she contacted the "Regional Ombudsman" working with Legal Aid.

Elderly Domestic Violence Client
Elizabeth is an elderly Anglo-American who is legally blind. Issues in her history of domestic violence include physical violence, abuse of the elderly, abuse of the disabled, the impact on her children and grandchildren and the fact that she grew up in an abusive home. The local domestic violence center referred her to Legal Aid to help her get a protective order. The story is 5:00 long.

A Stalking Ex-Spouse
Lannie is from a small rural community. Issues in her history of domestic violence include extreme physical violence, years-long stalking, harassment, the impact on her child and alcoholism. The story is 5:53 long.

Latvian "mail order bride"
Natasha is a Latvian "mail order bride" who ended up in rural West Virginia with her young son. Issues in her history of domestic violence include physical violence, control, isolation and immigration status problems. Note: Legal Aid was able to resolve Natasha's visa status, which was still uncertain when this story was done. The story is 5:50 long.

The profiles of survivors of domestic violence were produced by Susan Leffler and the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence with financial assistance from The West Virginia Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Ombudsman Program story was produced by Susan Leffler for Legal Aid of West Virginia. We thank them for permission to use these pieces.