A Survivor's Strength
Saprea Interview Further Thoughts
As I mentioned in my last missive, I did a joint interview with Chris Yadon the Managing Director of SAPREA a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure what portions of our interview will make it to the final production, so I wanted to mention one significant issue that Chris and I talked about. One that I've brought up before, but one that I hope survivors can embrace and instill in the deepest resources of their souls.
I am in awe of the resilience of the human soul.
During the SAPREA interview, somehow the question was raised about my strength. As I've mentioned before: When I am faced with significant challenges, one of my mantras is, "Since I survived the abuse of childhood, I can survive anything."
When I finished explaining my mantra on camera, with eloquence Chris added that doesn't mean strength can't be developed, especially in children, in much more healthy ways.
In my post, "The Lady with the Little Dog," I summarized the interview I did with Elizabeth Smart. At the time of that interview with Elizabeth, I was still in the midst of radiation treatments for Breast Cancer. Elizabeth asked specifically about the cancer treatments, and the conversation with went like this:
I said, "Well, I don't mean to minimize anyone's experience with cancer, but for me, it's not even in the top five hardest things I've gone through.'
She (Elizabeth Smart) gave a knowing nod and said, "I bet."
I struggled to continue. I finally told the story of a reporter once asking if I was grateful for the abuse I experienced as a child, because I was so strong now. I snapped at him, "That's the stupidest thing I've heard in a long time. There are numerous ways to support children to gain strength. Torture, abuse and the attempted murder of a child's soul isn't one of them. That sounds like a monster’s justification of their brutality. I'm lucky, maybe even blessed, to have survived."
I hope that this video segment of Chris Yadon's beautiful description of this concept makes it to the finished product. And, I hope that you never forget how strong you are, how you've already suffered the worst of the abuse, and that you know you can heal and live an authentic, beautiful life.
If you are interested in attending a SAPREA retreat, they are provided free for women survivors of sexual assault. You can find out more and apply here:
https://saprea.org/saprea-retreat/
30% of the profits from the sale of Paperdolls & Cowboy Boots will be donated to SAPREA to help fund these retreats and other resources for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.