Bullheaded Inner Strength

This is the true story of Barbara Nelson Blinn, a woman who suffered through an impoverished childhood in the 1940s and 1950s, a disabled child in the 1960s and 1970s, and severe domestic violence in the 1970s and 1980s. It was a time when the laws did little to protect abused women, and there were few resources for disabled children. It is the story of bravery, strength, and fighting for survival in tough circumstances and paving the way for others who suffer domestic violence by overcoming a psychotic husband and his mother in order to provide a safe home for her daughter.Barbara is portrayed by Judy Washington and Jean Blinn is portrayed by Ralph Washington. Two trials, two shootings, cover-ups, jury tampering, threats, Ralph’s psychiatrist lying on the witness stand, police officers caught in the middle, and a mother-in-law who brings her son extra bullets to kill Judy and broke the law herself (but was never arrested) are described in detail. Carol White weaves in the book vivid memories of her childhood living through this psychotic nightmare with her parents to give a child’s perspective about her life as it might be helpful to someone who suffered from abuse as a child as well.Much research went into this book. Online sources were consulted through genealogy and legal research. The ladies and gentlemen at the Grant County Indiana court house were kind and patient as the author researched through multiple pleadings, depositions, and court transcripts to find answers. So many stories of events that were told to her were inaccurate according to the court records, and worse than she had imagined.Names are changed in the book because it was easier for the author to write having experienced many of the horrors that are described, and she wanted to protect the privacy of others who were present in specific circumstances. Locations and dates were also changed, so the reader will notice that the setting is in southern Illinois and not in Indiana. Events and seriousness of the circumstances were not changed even though they seem unbelievable at times.This book portrays in graphic detail the life of the author and her mother. It took almost three years to write this book, and she had to put it down many times during the process. Friends who read the book before publication had to put it down multiple times because it made them so emotional.You will notice that there is a great deal of profanity in the conversations. This is how Jean Blinn talked, so the author strove to make the book authentic. Some of the situations in the book seem impossible, such as Judy Washington running on legs she could hardly walk on the previous day, or the court’s repeated leniency to Ralph Washington, Betty bringing her son extra bullets instead of calling the police or ambulance, Judy moving her guns, and restraining orders not being enforced. It all seems fictional, but it wasn’t, and court transcripts detail the same.Genevieve Blinn, Jean’s mother and portrayed as Betty Washington, was the epitome of evil. She was described by the Grant County Indiana prosecutor’s office at the time as Norma Bates out of the movie, Psycho. The prosecutors likened the unhealthy relationship with her son to that of Norman Bates.There was an incredible strength in Judy Washington who had to rely on herself when others failed her and became distrustful. She outsmarted Ralph Washington on multiple occasions and worked as a team with her daughter to stay alive from day to day. Judy Washington learned how to survive by her strength…her Bullheaded Inner Strength.