Brave disabled woman speaks out about domestic abuse and urges victims in Milton Keynes to seek help.

Kim Smith hopes her story will give strength to other people who are suffering with an abusive or controlling partner during lockdown.

A 58-year-old qualified hairdresser, Kim ran her own successful wedding planning business before falling critically ill after a kidney infection two years ago.

The infection put her in a severe sepsis coma and killed off tissue in her limbs, leaving doctors no choice but to carry out a quadruple amputation.

Today Kim is adjusting to life in a wheelchair with her second husband, her children and her grandchildren.

But lockdown has sparked some unhappy memories of decades ago, when she was trapped in a house with a highly abusive partner.

She said: "He was an alcoholic. He wouldn’t admit it. He was very controlling and eventually became violent.

"The first time he became violent I was holding my baby, who was a week old. All because I was exhausted and hadn’t woken straight away when she cried, he slapped me so hard round the face that I fell back onto the sofa.

" I couldn’t believe what had happened, he’d always been controlling but I never expected him to hit me. We had lots of holes in doors where he would punch them but it still shocked me."

Kim's partner apologised and she tried to put the episode behind her

" I then became pregnant with our second child. I realised it was a mistake becoming pregnant because he had got worse - he put a glass to my face marking my face.

I felt trapped. I swore to myself if he ever laid a finger on me again I’d leave."

When Kim was six months pregnant, the man got drunk and took drugs after a night out with friend.

"I knew it would be a big mistake to say the wrong thing," she said. "We got home and he fell asleep in the armchair, because he had work the next day I tried to gently wake him to go to bed.

"But he woke and kicked me full in the belly. making me fall to the floor."

The attack continued and things got even more sinister when the man got a knife from the kitchen and held it at Kim's throat.

" I’d had enough by this time so told him to just do it and get it over with," recalls Kim.

"But something clicked inside him and he dropped the knife. I went upstairs and got my daughter, who was just over 12 months, and grabbed my car keys and left."

Kim fled to a women's refuge, where she was welcomed with open arms.

"It was a godsend, they are there to help you... Life after leaving might seem scary but my goodness I was happier on my own than being with a man I loved that was controlling and abusing me."

With the help of the refuge workers, Kim made a fresh start and is now married to a loving and supporting man. Despite her disability, she says she has never been happier.

"I’m only telling my story now because I know there are women and men suffering terrible abuse, probably worse than ever because of lockdown," she said.

"Please don’t stay in an abusive relationship. Please get help. I promise you will feel so much happier in time."

The city's domestic abuse charity MK ACT is urging women not to put up with abusive partners during lockdown.

They are still open and still providing a range of confidential services, including running a refuge for women and children. Their helpline number 0344 375 4307 or they can be emailed on [email protected]

Alternatively the National Domestic Abuse Helpline number is 0808 2000 247. Anybody in immediate danger should dial 999. If they are unable to talk safely, they should then press 55 and police will realise the situation.

Meanwhile local MP Ben Everitt has highlighted the support available during lockdown for domestic abuse victims in MK.

He said: "The Home Office has announced £2m funding to immediately support helplines and online support. People are being asked to use #YouAreNotAlone on social media and put a photo of a heart in their palm on windows to show solidarity to those trapped in abusive households."

Ben added: "You are not alone. I know this is a worrying time for people living with abusive partners so please pick up the phone or use online support services. The UK has shown its heart over the past few weeks and I'm sure it will do it again as we show support and compassion for people suffering domestic abuse."