Domestic violence survivor inspires Foxcroft Academy with incredible story of hope and redemption

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Foxcroft Academy was honored to welcome Carmen Tarleton, author of “Overcome: Burned, Blinded and Blessed”, to campus on the morning of Oct. 3. Tarleton, whose life was changed forever when she was the victim of a brutal act of domestic violence in 2007, shared her incredible story of hope and redemption with the Foxcroft Academy staff and student body before encouraging her audience to ask any and all questions.
    Foxcroft Academy’s students, whom Tarleton praised for their openness and insightful questions, were incredibly attentive throughout the 45-minute presentation and offered their appreciation with multiple standing ovations. Many were inspired by Tarleton’s message that we all must learn to forgive, release negativity, and, above else, never stop moving forward.
    “It was a compelling and inspiring speech,” said junior Sophie Kurzius. “It really shined a light on domestic abuse in a way that I’ve never seen.”

    Foxcroft Academy Head of School Arnold Shorey, who opened his introduction of Tarleton with several quotes about the difference a positive attitude can make, challenged the student body to think about how they handle adversity. “When things are going well, it is easy to recite quotes about having a positive attitude,” he said. “Can you maintain a positive attitude when things don’t go your way? Ms. Tarleton has.”
    Following the unthinkably violent attack from her ex-husband Herbert Rodgers, Tarleton spent three years simply surviving and has now undergone more than 60 surgeries, including a 15-hour face-transplant surgery in 2013. Though she had every right to give up at any point in her journey, Tarleton instead adopted the attitude that “negative events happen to us to propel us to the next level, to help us be the people we want to be,” repeatedly telling the students that her life today is significantly better than it was before she was injured. Her quest is to inspire others to find their own happiness — to “counter the negativity Herb put in the world with her own positivity.”
    “I thought it was awesome because a lot of us think we have such big problems in our day-to-day lives, but she made us realize that we can still find hope in any negative situation,” noted senior Isaac Whittemore.
    “I thought it would be really sad and was a tough way to wrap up Homecoming, but it ended up being very uplifting and made me appreciate all I have,” added junior Renee Smith.
    Tarleton said her life has improved continuously over the past seven years and that she always knew she would find love again, which she did when she began taking piano lessons in 2012 and met Sheldon Stein, now her life partner. Stein is a brilliant banjo player and inspired Tarleton to learn the instrument, which she has done to great effect. She capped her presentation by singing and playing the banjo with Sheldon and his sister Nanci Stein, prompting one final standing ovation from a grateful and inspired audience.

Photo courtesy of Foxcroft Academy
OVERCOMING AND INSPIRING OTHERS — Foxcroft Academy students heard from Carmen Tarleton, author of “Overcome: Burned, Blinded and Blessed”, on the morning of Oct. 3 as Tarleton shared her story overcoming an act of domestic violence that led to over 60 surgeries — including a face-transplant operation. The session concluded with a musical performance by Tarleton, right, and her life partner Sheldon Stein and Stein’s sister Nanci Stein.