In 2010 I had been in therapy about 3 years. I was feeling really good about how well I had been doing. I feel like I got to a point in my healing process that I was ready to start sharing my story with others.
So I decided to apply for the Speakers Beauru for R.A.I.N.N. I started getting email request to speak at different events. The first event I agreed to speak at was a “Take Back The Night Event” in Lawrenceburg Indiana
I was excited and scared at the same time. I was unsure how people would respond to my story. I invited my Beautiful Butterfly (my therapist) a few friends and my mom.
I got up on that stage and did my speech. I shared my whole life story. The molestation, the rape, the gang rape. How I kept the monster in the closet for over 20 years before coming to terms with it and getting help for my healing process.
The speech was over, the applause had come to an end. My friends and mom had headed home. There I stood in the room I just finished my speech in. I was unsure of the impact I had until a man with a young girl behind him approached me. He then said “Thank you, thank you for being her voice. I never understood how she felt because she never talks about it. But to hear you share your story it gives me a better understanding of what she is going through” The girl behind him was his 17-year-old daughter.
At that moment I knew that my objective of my speech had been accomplished. I just wanted to be the voice to those that could not speak for themselves. I have now been sharing my life story for over 7 years. I get scared everytime right before I speak. But by the end of it I am overcome with emotion when a survivor or family member comes up to speak with me. Take Care Much Love.
