A 41-year-old woman has documented her recovery from a horrific act of domestic violence at the hands of her 39-year-old ex-boyfriend.
Caroline Way bravely shared pictures of her injuries and healing process after Deke Orriss, 39, reportedly beat her within an inch of her life.
Way was choked until she almost passed out with Orriss allegedly beating her until she was left with a broken jaw, a cracked eye socket, two black eyes and blurred vision so severe she needed to have her face rebuilt.
Caroline Way’s face when she was first admitted to hospital.
Orriss even allegedly threatened to rape Way, grabbing a big kitchen knife before telling her, “We are going upstairs to die now”.
Although she documented her recovery religiously at the time, becoming a self-proclaimed “selfie queen”, it wasn’t until three years later that she released the images.
“I used to take a picture of my face every day just to see it changing and how I was getting better. I found it so therapeutic,” she said.
“This was a way of telling myself that because I could see my physical scars retreating, I knew my mental ones would too.
She documented her recovery to watch her physical scars retreating.
“Then I realised I could help other women by showing them what I had overcome so I posted the pictures on Facebook. The response was overwhelming.”
Way credits her survival during the beating to the fact that when Orriss dragged her upstairs, she saw her face and started laughing because her face was so swollen she didn’t recognise herself.
“It was that reaction that made him switch back and he started crying.”
When Way posted the initial four photos of her face, she captioned them: “Ok, so this isn’t going to be a comfortable thing for people to see.”
She was left with a broken jaw, a cracked eye socket, two black eyes and blurred vision after being beaten by her ex-boyfriend.
“But I’m posting this after 3 years as I don’t want any girls to have to have their faces rebuilt and their whole lives dictated by abuse.
“I’m trying really hard not to let my past dictate my future, but it sometimes feels like it does.
“Like it, ignore it I don’t care, but don’t let yourself be stuck in a relationship that turns bad and the end results is this.”
“I used to take a picture of my face every day just to see it changing and how I was getting better. I found it so therapeutic.”
Orriss was arrested after the incident and pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm.
Taunton crown court sentenced him to 18 months, with a two-year suspension.
If you or anyone you know if suffering domestic violence, contact 1800 RESPECT for help.
