Hope: A Memoir of Survival

by Amanda Berry

“Yes.” “Did Mr. Castro ever cause you to get medical attention at a hospital?” “Yes.” “Did you ever receive any cuts or any bruises from Mr. Castro?” “Yes.” “Did you ever have any dislocated limbs from Mr. Castro?” “Yes.” “Did you ever have any problems with your eyesight or your nerves in your face as a result of Mr. Castro?” “Yes.” “Did you ever have any problems with your brain or the inner workings of your brain?” “Yes.” “Thanks to Mr. Castro?” “Yes.” Nilda recounted the first time Castro beat her, when a small disagreement escalated and he punched her in the face, grabbed her by the head, and threw her onto the concrete floor. She said Castro had punched her so many times in the face over the years that she required two reconstructive surgeries on her nose, as well as dental surgery. She recalled that one time when she was pregnant, he demanded that she wash the dishes. “I told him I was tired and to wait, and I yelled a little, but I don’t usually yell, but I was too tired, so he just punched me in the mouth and took my teeth out…. He dislocated my shoulders about twice by just throwing me around, most of the time pulling my arm to the back. He felt that it was some kind of punishment that I needed.” “Did he always just hit you with his hand, or did he sometimes use other objects?” “He used whatever he can get his hands on. Once he used a metal pipe.” “And what did he do with the pipe?”