My Personal Journey as a Trauma Survivor
In A Stranger to Myself, I wrote about discovering my own personal values and belief system. I got to know myself a little better and came to understand myself more deeply. I recognized my many assets as well as my shortcomings. I now want to continue this exploration of self. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the… Continue reading Rediscovering My Authentic Self
I used to play the role of victim. I didn’t feel like anything was within my control. Over the past decade I’ve learned that, because of my trauma, I’ve always had a strong tendency to try to control everything and everyone that enters my sphere of existence. It’s when things don’t work out the way… Continue reading Surrender
I shared about being triggered by my abusive brother wanting to meet with me with my journaling group the other day. I shared about writing my book in the hope of helping other survivors know that they are not alone, and to help educate people about the effects of childhood violence and sexual abuse, and… Continue reading I Will Never Be Silenced Again
Acceptance of symptoms from the traumas in childhood that remain have to be re-accepted over and over again; a body on hyper-vigilance which includes an exaggerated startle response, sleep disturbances, habitual negative thinking causing low level depression, disordered eating patterns stemming from age 8 as a survival mechanism, dissociation from the body- another survival tool, panic in small windowless places which includes elevators and airplanes, fear of people- knowing too well what they are capable of, and on it goes.
Patience and acceptance are not inherent qualities, they take effort and persistence. Persistence is part of my make-up. But no amount of it will take away the daily challenges. The work is ongoing. .
Out of the trauma grew a women whose voice is heard only if you listen carefully. A voice silenced in childhood, hushed by a mother embarrassed, and a family embarrassed, the voice goes mute. It is…
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This is a great interview.
A Huge Thank You to Sydney Timmons and Becky Lawrence of the Mental Health Book Club Podcast, for inviting me on their show. Sydney and Becky’s philosophy is that talking about mental health should be commonplace and their reviews of books and author interviews add to the discussion.
I had a wonderful time talking with them. They were both welcoming, and engaging hosts, and even though I was speaking with them from America to their show in England, it felt as if we were sitting in the same room chatting.
I would absolutely love it if you click on the link below and have a listen. For me, this is really fun to share on my blog, because now you get to hear my talking voice, instead of just my writing voice. I hope you enjoy the interview!
My thoughts put into words.
I was enormously gratified last year to watch as the #MeToo movement erupted with a sudden and powerful force, to see sexual harassment and assault survivors courageously tell their truths as the world finally paid proper attention. I cheered the brave women and men who came forward, risking more of the judgment, doubt, and scorn they had likely already experienced. I felt hugely gratified to witness perpetrators of abuse finally being called out and made to answer for their crimes. Most of all, I cried tears of joy to know that – at last – our society is shining a ray of light on the dark, hidden, shame-filled world of sexual victimization, for illumination is the only sure path to the prevention of sexual abuse, as well as justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators.
I, too am a survivor, not of assault or harassment but of child sexual abuse…
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