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Temple Terrace Spa Helps Massage Away Pain Of Abuse

Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

Ashley Benham of SerenBe Day Spa gives a manicure to a domestic violence victim.

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Published: October 14, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - Four women, strangers to each other but united by the violence in their lives, were treated to facials, massages, manicures and new hairstyles during a day at the spa Monday.

"It's really all about the women," said Kelly Seeley, who has owned the SerenBe Day Spa for eight years. "They have really touched my heart."

The four women were chosen by victim advocates with the Hillsborough State Attorney's Office. The spa, at 11103 N. 56th St., closed to other customers for the day.

Sharon Reynolds was stabbed nine times by an obsessive boyfriend in 2005. She talks about it now but it has taken years to get over the trauma and devastation.

Her attacker is serving a life sentence in prison. Reynolds, 39, said she also got a life sentence of sorts.

"I had my good and bad days," she said as a stylist worked on her hair.

She attended every court hearing for her attacker, sometimes in a wheelchair. "I wanted him to see me there."

Isabel Guartantaga, 48, wrapped in a comfy spa robe, cried when she recalled what happened to her - not the physical abuse but the help she finally got.

Guartantaga said years of abuse at the hands of her husband started in Ecuador and continued in Florida.

"We came here full of hope with my daughter to have a life that was a little better than in my own country," she said through an interpreter. "It was not like that. Bad things happened."

She got encouragement to break free, from police, prosecutors and victim advocates. They cared for her and her daughter, a special needs child. The girl turned 1 in a shelter.

"I started to meet a whole community," Guartantaga said. "I could identify with them."

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813) 259-7760 or kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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