At the young age of 14, senior and Spanish major Liza Tarleton had experienced first-hand the traumatic reality of domestic violence, after her mother Carmen Blandin Tarleton was brutally attacked by her estranged husband in 2007.
Beaten with a baseball bat, doused in industrial strength lye and lit on fire, the mother of two and her family would have their lives forever changed.
“The whole thing is very surreal,” Liza said of the horrific attack.
The incident left her mother Carmen extremely disfigured, with deep burns on over 80 percent of her body. After more than sixty surgeries and a face transplant, doctors were able to save her life, but could not erase the painful scars.
“I never forgot that life was a choice,” said Carmen adding that her daughters were her motivation to continue to fight and stay positive, “I chose to stay.”
Through witnessing her mother’s strength and courage, Liza was motivated to continue living life to the fullest, despite the lasting impact the attack has had on her family. Enrolling at Castleton and becoming an active student-athlete, she was able to find success and support both on campus and off.
“It definitely made our family closer and our relationship stronger,” said Liza.
Since being at Castleton Liza has explored her independence to the fullest, partaking in several study abroad trips and finding a family away from home in the Castleton Women’s Rugby team.
“Rugby has kind of always been my own thing,” said Liza who started playing as a second row scrum and is now a scrum half. “It definitely has the major aspect of family.”
Her two worlds were able to come together recently as Carmen visited campus for a moving presentation focused on overcoming obstacles. Touching upon her attack and years of recovery, she spoke to a packed room about her experience.
Several of Liza’s rugby friends came out to show their support at her mother’s presentation, many meeting her for the first time.
“Everyone was really supportive,” said Liza. “Everyone who I know who went loved it.”
On Tuesday, October 28 Liza and her mother’s empowering story will be featured on ESPN’s weekly news magazine show E:60 as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The segment, which is scheduled to air at 8 p.m. on ESPN, will include in-depth interviews with the pair, as well as footage of Carmen’s Castleton Soundings presentation held on Oct. 23.