Essay: Finding the light - How my counselor turned my trauma into purpose
By Maan Samson
Rescuing someone is only the very first step; the true work lies in helping them rediscover their own power so they can stand tall on their own two feet once more. - Susan Pineda
Fear had shrunk my world until it felt impossibly small and my safety and self-worth were completely shattered. At 17, my parents forced me to marry someone who they saw could lift us from poverty. The person turned out to be my abuser.
My friends and teachers helped me escape my abusive parents and partner. They contacted a non-profit organization for abused women to seek help on my behalf. I was becoming suicidal.
Overwhelmed by trauma of the escape, I crouched panicking under an office desk inside the headquarters of the Ing Makababaying Aksyon (IMA) Foundation.
In Kapampangan, Ima means "mother"—a fitting name for an organization built to shelter, defend, and heal abused women and children. Sitting in the dark corner of that room, frightened and lost, a hand reached down toward mine. It belonged to Susan Pineda, the founder and driving force behind the foundation. She didn't just pull me out from under that desk - she brought me back to a life I thought was gone forever.
Writer Maan (right) and some friends found the light after escaping from abusive relationships through counselor Susan Pineda (2nd person from the left) who gave them courage and strategic guidance.
That single gesture said everything about who Susan is. As a devoted advocate and passionate feminist, she has spent decades protecting vulnerable women and children across local communities.
I know this firsthand because she guided me through every step of my own recovery—I went through the same painful process as the other victims she takes care of every day. Her work does not rely on speeches or public praise; it lives in direct, daily action.
Operating on the frontlines, Susan guides survivors through court proceedings, arranges emergency shelter, and steps directly between victims and the dangers threatening them. For years, her work at the IMA Foundation has confronted an unspoken crisis in our communities: the silence, shame, and isolation that trap survivors of domestic abuse.
"Rescuing someone is only the very first step; the true work lies in helping them rediscover their own power so they can stand tall on their own two feet once more,” Susan would always say.
When she took on my case, her support went well beyond giving me a temporary place to stay. She offered steady legal guidance, constant emotional grounding, and a protective presence when I was too terrified to face what was happening. As a professional and a compassionate person, Susan provided a complete path toward safety, healing, and justice.
Through police reports, medical checkups, and legal proceedings, she turned a chaotic crisis into a manageable path forward. Watching her handle complex and dangerous situations with resolve and empathy taught me that genuine advocacy isn't just about safety—it's about restoring a person's dignity.
I learned about Susan’s own harrowing story of abuse and how she turned that pain into a lifeline for other hurting women proved that personal suffering could become a deep purpose.
Susan reshaped my core values, teaching me to listen to survivors without any judgment—reminding me that people often just need someone to listen—and showing me how to stand up and speak out against abuse for those who cannot speak for themselves.
The person I am today—in my personal life and my career—came directly from the seeds Susan planted when I was at my lowest. She didn't just save me from a terrifying moment; she helped me rebuild my life from scratch.
She gave me a job, secured a scholarship for me to finish nursing school, and welcomed me as a volunteer at IMA from 2005-2009. Working with her taught me lessons no classroom could ever teach.
Through her calm strength, steady support, and clear values, Susan showed me how to step out from the shadow of trauma and dedicate my life to lifting others.
Looking back at that day under the table, I realized that her hand reached out to do far more than comfort me in a moment of panic. It proved that no matter how broken we are, healing and recovery are possible.
Today, as I share my story and advocate for others, I carry Susan’s lessons with me. She taught me that true strength is quiet and kind, that justice is worth the fight, and that every survivor deserves to live free from fear. I am deeply grateful for her presence in my life, and I am proud to honor her legacy by passing that same light to those who need it most. #
(About the writer: Maan Samson is a Case Manager at Ing Makababaying Aksyon (IMA) Foundation, Inc. in Angeles City, Pampanga, Philippines. She is currently working to publish her memoir. She is a pioneering cohort of the Masterclass in Writing and Journalism with Dr. Marivir Montebon in New York City under the auspices of Awesome Media Ltd. and Women’s Immigration & Communications Cafe.)
