Back in 2006 the rumor mill reported that Gary Coleman of the "Diff'rent Strokes" sitcom had died...as is the case with most of Hollywood's finest, this was definately another urban legend. Just like the sittings of Elvis Presley or Tupac Shakur that people are constantly reporting...According to this morning's gossip sites, Gary Coleman is in fact alive and kicking!
Several years ago, the former child star secretly married then 22-year old Shannon Price. Keep in mind that Gary was almost twice her age--but half Shannon's size. At the time, the couple reported having "their issues" and Shannon reportedly did not like his violent tendencies...When asked about their age difference, Gary stated he has an issue with intelligence and was proud that Shannon was smarter than him!
That brings me to the next point--Gary was arrested over the weekend for domestic violence. The couple was already headed toward divorce after Shannon's 2008 arrest for domestic violence against Gary and had even appeared on the tv show "Divorce Court." Really--you end up on Divorce Court but eventually try to reconscile?! Are they sure they didn't really appear on The Jerry Springer Show?!
When I first heard about Gary's arrest, I had this mental image of this little midget beating on a woman twice his size and I couldn't help but laugh..kinda like Sydney Fife beating on Lou Ferrigno (ie The Incredible Hulk) in "I Love You Man." I know, as a domestic violence advocate, it is so very wrong but I just couldn't get the mental image out of my head!
Obviously Shannon had concerns about Gary's behavior when they first got married and now the relationship is mutually combative. Is she resorting to battering behavior to defend herself from Gary or is she engaging in violent behavior herself??? Only the two of them will know. However, considering the spin the media puts on Hollywood's stars and their abusive behavior, I find this very interesting. Physically, Gary is the most vulnerable of the two but some individuals resort to other tactics to gain power and become intimidating when their size doesn't get the job done. How will the media respond to their situation and will this be used as an educational moment???
Last week, the gossip sites were talking about Charlie Sheen visiting his estranged wife in the hospital. Charlie & Brooke had an incident on Christmas Day where he held a weapon to her and threatened her life. The state automatically issued a Protective Order but the magazines are quick to discuss their efforts to reunite and "put this behind them." When Brooke was admitted to the Intensive Care unit of the hospital, news sources were making the point that Charlie was a supportive husband because he visited her. Hello, there is a Protective Order in place!!! After looking through several articles, one source pointed out that he did not have physical contact with her but she knew he was in the building...and this is supposed to be acceptable?! Even so, that's beyond inappropriate and the media is portraying it as sweet, loving behavior!
For any of you readers, you're more than welcome to share your thoughts on this issue! What are your feelings about women, such as Elin Woods, who resort to violence--is it justified or unacceptable? If you were a hospital employee, would you allow an abuser into the hospital knowing there's a no-contact order in place?
On a VERY serious note--if you know anyone who is currently experiencing domestic violence in their relationship or has survived the violence, here are some resources. It happens, it happens to the people we know and love. And unfortunately some of our loved ones become a fatal victim of the violence.
In Memory of a Wonderful, Kind Soul--
Bobbi, Age 49 (1/16/06): Bobbi was shot and killed by her husband less than two weeks after getting a protection orderagainst him. Her husband had moved out of their home earlier in the year, but had returnedwith a rifle to find Bobbi with four other people, including one of the couple’s two grown sons, and a child. They all fled after her husband fired the rifle into the ceiling. “She was attempting to get away, went to a neighbor’s home, and he confronted her in the yard,” the sheriff said. After shooting her, he killed himself. Both were found in the neighbor’s yard.
RESOURCES:
1-888-END ABUSE
Food for Thought:
* On average, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in this country every day
* Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States
* Approximately one in five female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner
In Kansas, In the year 2006:
*Bobbi and 20 other women were murdered by current or former partners
*2 women were raped and murdered
*5 women were reported missing and their whereabouts are still unknown
*18 women were victims of attemped murders
*More than 3 women were held hostage during domestic violence stand-offs
That made me so sad to hear about Bobbi, especially with such a happy time in her life with a new grandbaby. I remember that and think about it often when we drive through that small town. It is a reminder that no one is immune.
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