Healing Choices offers hope, healing and help

WARREN — As a child, Cindy Kupinski was physically, sexually and mentally abused by adults around her who she said were involved in a satanic cult.

“It was so traumatizing,” Kupinski said. “I suppressed the abuse. It was the only way I could survive.”

However, when she was in her 30s, she started remembering the brutality she had been through as a child, the bruises and the broken bones, the hospital stays, time spent in foster care so she could get away from her abusers. Knowing she needed help due to all she endured, Kupinski went into therapy and has used faith, counseling and a desire to get healthy to heal.

“The only way to heal from it is to relive it,” she said. “I had to feel it. I had to know that it was real. Your childhood impacts your adulthood. It’s been 20 years, and I’m still going to counseling.”

Kupinski, now 57, has become an advocate to help other domestic violence survivors. One way she is doing that is through her book, “The Light Through My Eyes,” which was published in 2019. The book, which chronicles her painful journey, is available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.

“Fear controlled my life. I know there are many women and men who need to hear my story,” she wrote. “I need to tell it because I believe that, with the help of God, with God in me, I can help make a difference.”

Kupinski grew up in Detroit and now resides in Clinton Township with her husband, Dave. Many community members already know the Kupinskis. They own D & P Auto, located in Warren, which relocated from Roseville and has served countless customers over the years.

On the path to getting healthy, Kupinski has started her own charity, Healing Choices, on her own. Her goal is to speak to people about how childhood trauma impacts people as adults and the choices they make. Healing Choices is not a shelter, but it provides resources for men, women and children who have suffered abuse.

“Healing Choices is giving them inspiration. I want to hold their hands. By sharing my story and sharing my experience, I do understand what they’re going through,” Kupinski said. “It’s me not wanting other people to hurt as much as I was hurting. If I can hug them, if I can help them, even if it’s just one person, then it’s all worth it. I want them to feel safe that somebody does care. There is a tomorrow.”

Kupinski is working on organizing support groups “even for spouses trying to help their spouses that have been abused.” Kupinski said she endured two abusive marriages. She has one child from her first marriage and two from her second marriage. She suffered from anxiety and panic attacks and said there were times in which she wanted to take her life but then thought, “What’s going to happen to my kids?”

“If it wasn’t for God, there’s no way I would survive,” Kupinski said.

Dave is Kupinski’s third husband. Between the two of them, they have seven grandchildren, and Kupinski has three stepdaughters.

Healing Choices received a financial boost recently when members of Elks Lodge Macomb No. 2292, located at 25950 Schoenherr Road in Warren, donated $4,000 to Kupinski’s cause. When the Elks members learned of Healing Choices, they wanted to lend a hand.

“Our purpose is to help those in need,” Elks Lodge Macomb No. 2292 Exalted Ruler/President Bill Harris said. “We applied for a grant through the Elks National Foundation to help a charity in need in our community.”

The club members received a $4,000 grant, which they gave to Kupinski. She can use it for supplies, clothing and anything else needed.

“It couldn’t be for ourselves. It’s a good way to help a neighbor,” Harris said. “Cindy is selfless, kind and friendly and wants to give back. She just wants to help people in need.”

To reach Healing Choices, call (586) 899-0236. Monetary donations are always welcome, as are gift cards to help families that are healing.

New Elks Lodge Macomb No. 2292 members are always welcome. For more information, call (586) 771-8550 or send an email to warrensterling2292@mielks.org.