I M Perfect lady

I am honored, to be honored.

Dial Help, was one of the first agencies that I worked with. An-gel was the first person I met there and together we began WIND – Women In New Directions, which is now in its 5th year.  There are so many women I would never have met had this not began. Women who are active and creative, who push through life's difficulties to try new adventures. Together we have grown in new directions.

The me who entered their offices, who spoke at their Gala, who donated journals, who even took their course on becoming a sexual assault victim's advocate, etc, is not who I am today.

Back then, I was just beginning to share my story in public. I was so naive to so many parts of the victim's journey into becoming.

Looking back now, I can see that being believed and heard, was a huge part of my trusting them. So often, children of sexual abuse by a family member are not believed.

Even if they are believed, there are no actions showing this is so. And, that leaves the child feeling their words were not 'believable enough' that somehow we failed to articulate our truth.

It was through Dial Help, that I met Tom Rosemurgy, a Detective at the time for Houghton County.  He and I discussed my father's evidence and court papers. It was so affirming to me, to sit with the law of the land and hear their side.  Tom also loved my art and was a great supporter of that too. 

What victims of abuse need to feel is that they matter.

Dial Help and Tom didn't change my past, but they did validate where I stood.  And in doing so, I was asked to be part of other helping organizations.

Joe Freed, was another great cheerleader. He worked at Copper Country Mental Health. And, he not only believed in me, he treated me as an equal and he too Loved my art. He understood more, because of where he walked.  

It is the individuals within these organizations that make all the difference. 

They believe we can before we believe.

And, in doing so we reach higher than we ever imagined.

As victims, we pass through different stages and some of us may use many organizations for help. They are not meant as stopping off places, but places for us to gain wisdom and energy to continue on. Places where we can safely wrestle with our truths of trauma.

Each has held my hand for awhile and then released me, stronger than when we met.

Their handprint upon my journey is indelible. 

Those of you who have held my hand each time you heard my truth, I sincerely thank you.

I am honored to know you.