Hello Friends,
Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2014 is approaching quickly and I am, once again, working on a project.
I am posting to ask for a favor from the MST Community…I need your words. I would like to schedule readings from various survivors at our event. However, I won’t use anything on your blog without your permission!! That just seems like a nasty violation of your privacy.
What I am looking for is not what happened to you…but what your life is like now and how your journey of recovery is going. Talk about what you need in healthcare – what makes you comfortable or terrible experiences you have had. These readings will be heard by VA Staff (you will be anonymous) and they are things the leadership needs to hear!!
Please know that I may have to edit for content. I apologize – but even as I am picking posts from my own blog – I am having to edit my own words. We all know that when Brigid or I get going we can cuss the keys off the keyboard – we have a right to use those words and say those things…and so do you. We have the right to be angry!!
Also – if you are a reader of my blog you know that I work for the VA. I am a low level, bottom feeding healthcare tech but I do serve on and fight for the Military Sexual Trauma Survivors and the way that we treat them. We are making a difference! It is not uncommon for SAAM to be half recognized or ignored all together – but this year we will have a display up all month long!! Our words – our truths – they are making a difference. With any luck we will get the entire program authorized and that will include the dramatic readings “In Our Own Words.” Additionally – I am going to go way, way out on the limb. One of the programs I am trying to get approved for that day is the “Lunch and Learn with a Survivor.” Yes – that is right…I am going to stand up in front of my co-workers, my leadership and say…”I am a Survivor of Military Sexual Trauma – this is your chance…ask me anything.” I am hoping that I can bring more awareness to who we really are and what we really need. We aren’t a bunch of fucked up people who need someone to change our diapers and feed us with a spoon. We are some of the strongest people you will ever meet!! I can’t say that I have ever met an MST Survivor that was “weak.” If we were weak – we wouldn’t survive. Only the strong survive!
Any help you can give me would be great! I have already gotten permission from some – if you would like to send me an email with your blog or with readings that you have choosen – you know that I am at enemyinthewire@hotmail.com I will be checking the inbox.
As a final thought – I would love to leave you with a Franciscan Blessing. This has become my favorite and I think that it really fits who we all are as survivors! We have the right to hate…but somehow we love. We have the right to be angry…but somehow we channel that anger into action. We have the right to say “I”…but we continue to act on the part of “We.” So this is for all of us…that we may live deeply!!
At easy answers, half-truths,
And superficial relationships
So that you may live
Deep within your heart.
At injustice, oppression,
And exploitation of people,
So that you may work for
Justice, freedom and peace.
To shed for those who suffer pain,
Rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand
To comfort them and
To turn their pain to joy
With enough foolishness
To believe that you can
Make a difference in the world,
So that you can do
What others claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness
To all our children and the poor.
Enemy In The Wire 
March 7, 2014 at 9:10 am |
You are such a strength…a powerful thing-this-your blog!! I am so proud to be in your prayers!
Peace