Morgan Opel is the team captain for Miles for Mal and Mere. She shared with ICADV why her family participates in Race Away From Domestic Violence.
ICADV: How long have you been participating in RAFDV?
Morgan: This is my family’s 2nd year!
ICADV: Why do you participate in RAFDV?
Morgan: We started participating in the race after losing both of my sisters to domestic violence on Thanksgiving of 2017. My family wants nothing more than to keep their memories alive by telling their stories. We hope that in sharing about them we can help others realize their worth. Everyone deserves to be loved. Any kind of abuse – verbal, sexual, physical is not love.
ICADV: How would you describe your sisters?
Morgan: Mallory loved the beach. She was her happiest at Perdido Key. She was a loving daughter and sister and a loyal friend who truly discovered her life purpose when she became a mother to her saving grace, her sweet little girl, Camilla Rose. She was the best mom, so selfless, nurturing and fun. When she wasn’t with her daughter, she was working nights as a Nurse for American Senior Communities. Mal had the biggest heart.
Meredith was a free spirit, wise beyond her years. She was a loving daughter, sister and aunt and a supportive friend who loved travel and adventure. She wanted to see and do as much as possible. She had just spent 6 months studying abroad in the Netherlands, visiting 13 different countries in her free time. She was a Sophomore at USI studying Sociology. She was a faithful disciple of Christ who wanted to make a difference in the world. Mere touched so many with her faith and contagious smile.
ICADV: What do you want people to know about their lives/legacy?
Morgan: I want people to always remember the girls as the strong, intelligent, beautiful, happy, young women they were.
ICADV: In your experience, what are the best ways to help someone who’s lost a loved one (or loved ones) to intimate partner/sexual violence?
Morgan: In my experience, the best ways to help someone who has experienced losing loved ones to Domestic Violence is to remember their loved ones by doing things to help keep their legacies alive. Do all things, big and small, with love. Our world needs so much more unconditional love.
To register for Race Away From Domestic Violence, click here.
If you or someone you know needs help with a DV situation, call our 24-hour Statewide Hotline at 800.332.7385 or 800.787.3224 (TTY).
