After being stabbed and hammered by her partner in a brutal attack, Sharon Howell has started the journey to pick up the pieces of her life.
It has been over three weeks since the May 27 attack, in which Howell, 38, was stabbed multiple times, including in her shoulder, stomach, neck and head and she is still unable to speak.
But when Stabroek News visited her at her Freeman Street, East La Penitence home, the mother of 10 was in high spirits as she went about chores in the company of her children and her brother. “That’s how our mother brought us up, taught us never to be lazy. Even if she is lying up on her sick bed and she got a little strength to do something, she will get up and do it,” her brother, Wickliffe Halley, said.
The severity of the attack left Howell in a critical condition at the Georgetown Hospital, but she steadily recovered until she was discharged just over a week ago.
Aubrey Rodney, her partner, allegedly stabbed her multiple times, including in her shoulder, stomach, neck and head at her at her home. He was also hammered about her head with the claw of the hammer. Rodney, who had been in a relationship with Howell for almost two years and is the father of the woman’s youngest child, has since been charged with attempted murder.
Family members believe that were it not for their continuous prayers, she may not have been able to recover from the horrific attack.
Though unable to speak, a brightly smiling Howell answered questions from Stabroek News by gesturing with her hands. Broom-in-hand, she shook her head in the affirmative when asked if she was feeling better, while also indicating that she has returned to her old eating habits and is again able to eat all sorts of food.
She also displayed the stitched wounds in her head, now being covered by her hair, which has started to grow back.
Howell is still, however, continuing her recovery, and with the full support of her family, who seem unafraid to show her some ‘tough love’ when it is called for. When she tried to signal them to answer questions on her behalf during the interview with this newspaper, her daughter scolded her and reminded that it has been the doctor’s instructions that she make attempts to regain her speech.
Halley, who was present during the interview, hugged his sister and adoringly smiled at her before leaving to uplift her medication from the hospital.
He described her as a strong woman whose perpetual strength brought her back from death’s door.
Although Halley said the family is comfortable and doing fine financially, Howell raised her hands, stopping him before he could continue. When quizzed about how she is managing to provide for her home, the woman only pointed to her children, including the youngest, a one-year-old toddler standing at her side.
She nodded positively after being asked if any financial assistance will be welcomed.
