.png)
My name is Victoria Griswold, but you can call me Lexi – the name I’ve chosen for myself, a symbol of self-discovery and reinvention. Born in 1991, my life began with a complex web of relationships and identities.
My biological mother, Rachel, was just 14 when I arrived, and her selflessness paved the way for my adoption by Gail Griswold. Gail’s love and devotion provided a stable foundation, allowing me to grow and explore the world around me.
Newport was my hometown, a place I’d both love and struggle with. Growing up, I often felt restless, seeking adventure beyond the familiar. Travel became my passion. The world was vast, and I was determined to experience it.
But Newport had its allure, too. As I matured, I discovered hidden gems and developed a new appreciation for the town’s charm. Leaving Newport eventually, I found myself nostalgia-tinged, missing the place I once couldn’t wait to escape.
This dichotomy – between wanderlust and hometown roots – defines me. My story is one of self-exploration, resilience, and the power of embracing contradictions.
Amidst the beauty of travel and self-discovery, darkness lingered. My experiences with domestic violence, though not immediately apparent, left indelible marks. Growing up, I witnessed and experienced abuse, normalizing harmful dynamics.
Love was tangled with pain, control, and fear. The patterns I learned would later haunt me.
In my relationships, I sought familiarity – the comfort of chaos. It took becoming a mother to recognize the cycle’s devastating legacy. Holding my son in my arms, I knew I couldn’t subject him to the same pain. That moment sparked a fierce determination to break free, not just for myself, but for my child.
The journey was arduous, filled with self-doubt, shame, and the struggle to redefine love. Healing required confronting the past and learning selfworth.
Leaving wasn’t easy. Fear, guilt, and shame held me back. Would I be enough? Could I provide? The unknown terrified me.
I found solace in support groups, online forums, and The Family Crisis Network. I began to understand that domestic violence wasn’t love; it was control.
With every step toward freedom, my confidence grew. I sought legal protection, built a safety network, rediscovered hobbies and passions and learned self-compassion.
Healing wasn’t linear. Some days, the past suffocated me. Other days, hope and resilience lifted me up. And I knew I wasn’t alone! Therapy became my sanctuary, a safe space to unravel the tangled threads of my past. Support groups provided a sense of community. Sharing my story, listening to others, and finding solidarity helped me heal.
Rebuilding took time, patience, and effort. Some days, progress seemed slow. Yet, with every step forward, I reclaimed my identity.
Forgiving my biological mother, Rachel, was complex. I struggled to understand her choices, but ultimately recognized her vulnerabilities. I chose to forgive, releasing the burden of resentment.
Gail, my adoptive mother, tried to be the best mom she could with what she had. However, there was a lot in my life that I blamed her for, and it wasn’t until I got therapy that I learned to let go and heal. Unfortunately, I couldn’t go down that path with her physically as she had passed.
The hardest person to forgive was myself. I blamed myself for staying in toxic relationships, for not recognizing the signs sooner. Forgiveness was a journey, not a destination. It required unraveling layers of anger, resentment, and hurt.
I eventually accepted that forgiveness wasn’t for others, but for myself.
Today, I’m surrounded by love, laughter, and a sense of fulfillment. I’m proudly married to my rock, Nathan Gibson. Our blended family is my joy: Mason, my adventurous son; Elle (aka “Bean”), my sweet daughter, and Melody, my loving bonus daughter.
As I look to the future, I’m filled with hope and excitement. My story is one of triumph, forged through adversity and strengthened by love. I’ve discovered my voice, my purpose, and my happily ever after.
GRISWOLD MANAGES POST FALLS CRICKET WIRELESS, WHERE SHE HAS COLLABORATED WITH FAMILY CRISIS NETWORK TO OFFER WAIVED ACTIVATION FEES FOR INDIVIDUALS SEEKING REFUGE FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
THIS PROVIDES IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO RELIABLE COMMUNICATION, A LIFELINE TO SAFETY AND SUPPORT AND STEPS TOWARD STABILITY AND INDEPENDENCE.
IF SEEKING HELP IN A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATION, CALL THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HELPLINE (1800-799-7233) AND/OR FAMILY CRISIS NETWORK (509447-2274).
