'I'm so much more than just a sexual abuse survivor.'"
November 2024 Update by April Daniels
"The day that Paperdolls was first published in April of 1992, I walked up to "The Waking Owl" bookstore and bought a copy of Paperdolls: Healing from Sexual Abuse in Mormon Neighborhoods. I walked home, and put it on my bookshelf.
This was a very symbolic act for me. The book, and the sexual abuse of my childhood was still part of my life. But, it was on the shelf. Not front and center.”1
I am free. I am not perfect, but I am not imprisoned by the unhealed pain of my childhood.
Paperdolls & Cowboy Boots was re-re-released in January 2024. Since this updated and enhanced re-release, I have consistently sent a message to survivors that "If I can do it, you can." The "it" in that adage has been "to heal." Now, I am expanding that definition to include what you want to do to create your own uniquely beautiful, authentic life. The enhancements and added benefits now offered on Paperdolls.Today includes some of the skills, experiences and joys have embraced during the last 3 decades. I'm not offering an empty clieche that you can build your own uniquely beautiful life, I'm sharing how I've built mine.
If you want to adapt, learn or incorporate any of the passions and/or skills I've learned, please do so. I hope by sharing more of me: more of my loves, joys, and even mistakes, might give you courage to love and built your own uniquely beautiful life.
Here is a screen-cast I did providing an overview of the increased benefits and enhancements:
These benefits and enhancements can support anyone building their own authentically beautiful life. Please share with those you love.
Here is the promo trailer of Paperdolls & Cowboy Boots:
When a butterfly flaps its wings….
The tiny air currents
that a butterfly creates
travel across thousands of miles,
jostling other breezes as they go
and eventually changing the weather.
—Edward Lorenz 2
Please remember, by healing yourself, you might flap your own butterfly wings and change the weather. Please don’t set that as your goal. Many survivors think only extraordinary achievements will give their life worth. That’s an old way of thinking and an old way of thought! Healing yourself is enough. The rest will take care of itself. 3
The following is from the media promotion for the re-release of Paperdolls & Cowboy Boots, and explains even more benefits to your paid subscription.
April’s Story is not unique.
April Daniels has frequently likened her story to the sacred memorial of the unknown soldiers buried at the “The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” in Arlington Cemetery. Of course, the analogy falls short in that April is very much alive, relatively happy, and quite content in Salt Lake City, Utah. However, the analogy holds true in that her story is typical of many, if not most, sexual abuse victims/survivors. The similarities are so typical that April feels she could be anyone who has suffered sexual assault, especially childhood sexual abuse.
April’s primary motivation for updating and re-releasing Paperdolls is to give survivors hope and inspiration. As April frequently says, “If I can do it, anyone can. There’s nothing special about me. You can do it also.”
There is hope to create your own uniquely beautiful life.
Why subscribe?
By subscribing, you will receive many of April’s thoughts and ways she’s changed her thinking and her behavior to help change her life. Her life is merely an example, and if something doesn’t work for you, don’t do it! But, if it does, please incorporate the suggestion.
By subscribing, you’ll also get full access to the newsletter, website, and discounts on Paperdolls & Cowboy Boots, released January 2024. The latest release includes printed books and e-books. The audio version will be released early in 2024.
Portions of the proceeds will go to the ongoing battle against childhood sexual abuse.
For Survivors
Our goal is to provide a safe area for survivors of sexual abuse. We believe that requiring the subscription fee will help keep this area safe. If you cannot afford the fee, you could be eligible to receive access at a significant discount or even Pro Bono. Please send April a direct message if you want these resources, but your pocket book is tight.
Resources
Our resources for survivors is always growing. Please submit suggestions that will be of assistance to other survivors.
See Paperdolls & Cowboy Boots, Epilogues, page 323
