Janine’s life fractured in a horrifying instant, a fall from a banister leaving her paralyzed and forever changed. It wasn’t an accident, but a brutal act of violence perpetrated by a man she once loved, Barry Shankly.
Their story began with a connection made online in 2016, while Janine was living in Thailand. A long-distance romance blossomed, eventually leading to Janine moving to Glasgow, Scotland, to be with Shankly in 2019. It was after this move that a chilling transformation began.
The affection Janine initially felt warped into a suffocating web of control. Shankly monitored her every move, checking her phone and even locking her inside their flat. Friends were forbidden, isolating her from the support network she desperately needed.
A trip to Lisbon in January 2020 marked a terrifying escalation. During what should have been a joyful getaway, Shankly violently attacked Janine, stamping on her phone and then shoving her, causing her to fall and strike her head. He offered empty promises of change, but Janine, trapped, believed his lies.
Finally, in October 2020, Janine found the strength to end the relationship. But Shankly refused to accept her decision. On New Year’s Eve, he attempted to kiss her, and when she rejected him, he pushed her with devastating force.
Janine remembers a fleeting moment of clarity after the impact, a surge of adrenaline masking the severity of her injuries. Then, darkness. She awoke in a hospital bed, her life irrevocably altered, with no memory of the fall itself.
Doctors delivered the crushing news: fractures to her spine between the 23rd and 25th vertebrae had left her paraplegic. Alone and devastated, Janine faced a future she never imagined, her world shrinking with each passing moment.
Shankly initially spun a web of deceit, claiming Janine had fallen while using her phone on the banister. But as her memories returned, Janine realized the truth. He was manipulating everyone, twisting the narrative to protect himself.
After a grueling period of rehabilitation, including time at The London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, Janine began the long process of rebuilding her life. Yet, even as she fought for her physical recovery, she faced another battle: navigating a system that failed to provide accessible housing.
For two years, Janine lived in temporary, unsuitable accommodations, enduring the indignity of a home that didn’t meet her basic needs. She fought tirelessly for modifications to her council property in Southend, Essex, facing frustrating delays and bureaucratic hurdles.
“It was so degrading,” she recalls, “He’s in prison, but at least he had access to a toilet.” The irony was a stark reminder of the injustice she had suffered.
Now, Janine is determined to use her experience to help others. She speaks openly about her disability and the violence she endured, refusing to be silenced by shame. She understands the profound impact of sharing her story, particularly for those struggling with similar trauma.
“If anyone asks me about my disability, I tell them what happened,” she says. “I’m not ashamed – it’s important to spread awareness.” She acknowledges the high suicide rate among those with spinal injuries and offers a message of hope: life after such a devastating injury is possible, though undeniably hard.
Janine’s courage in speaking out led to Shankly’s conviction in July 2024, bringing a measure of justice after years of pain and struggle. Her story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a vital call for change.
