It's about 70 degrees and sunny in Upstate New York!
The human body is just amazing. One day of recuperation
is all that's needed. I'd been needing two full days. Now,
just my arches hurt. Sometimes I walk the entire nine-miles
on pavement, and sometimes I go "G.I Jane" *laugh out loud *
and hike on the grass. I like the instability of walking on grass
over nine-miles because I believe it works out my ankles
and calves more. I'm trying to put myself through as much
pain as possible now!
Well, o.k. I'm sure that it will barely diminish the pain and exhaustion
I'm going to experience on the road. But its worth a shot, right?
Truly. I thoroughly enjoy these longs walks. If I didn't have
this new goal, of biking cross country, I'd be tucked safely
away in my house not enjoying all the universe has to offer.
Since, my assault in October 2004, the events of my life
have rendered me a kin to the shiney black mole who pops
up to get hammered during whack a mole. Staying in doors,
looking after my mother has been the escape.
When I took mom in from the independent living program
for the mentally ill, I felt I was confronting something.
Now that we have uncovered most of her medical needs,
I feel I'm retreating from life.
On this beautiful day, I shall not retreat! I will forge
forward down the lanes of my beloved hometown
as I bask in the sunshine of this fine spring day!
Friday, April 13, 2012
*** Public Announcement ***
Warning--any person and/or institution and/or Agent and/or Agency of any governmental structure including any city, county or state, the United States Federal Government and/or any other govermenntal body of the world also using or monitoring/using this website or any of its associated websites, you do NOT have my permission to utilize any of my profile information nor any of the content contained herein including, but not limited to my photos, and/ or the comments made about my photo's or any other "picture" art posted on my profile. You are hereby notified that you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing, disseminating, or taking any other action against me with regard to this profile and the contents herein. The foregoing prohibitions also apply to your employee(s), agent(s), student(s) or any personnel under your direction or control. The contents of this profile are private and legally privileged and confidential information, and the violation of my personal privacy is punishable by law.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Calling All MST Survivors
We are seeking anyone whose been a survivor of military sexual harrassment, assault or rape to please sign this letter which thanks the 120 legislators who have signed onto the STOP Act legislation (See link in the Learn Section of this blog to the right). Also, this letter calls on all legislators to sign onto this act. Under the STOP Act, the investigation, prosecution and victim care associated with MST is taken from the normal chain of command and placed under the authority of an independent body of military and civilian experts. More than 19,000 servicemembers are estimated to have been impacted by MST in 2011, there have been 17 hearings over the past 25 years, and still no effective changes have been made. Rapists are still prosecuted at an alarmingly low rate, even fewer are convicted, while victims are being left to their own devices to defend themselves and their welfare. It's time we help our brothers and sisters in arms to get out from under the trauma that occurs AFTER an assault or rape occurs. The time to act is NOW!
Almost Two Years Is A Long Time
This July, as we launch the start of our cross-country bike ride, the month
will also mark two years since I handed my sons over voluntarily to a foster
parent. I did this, as part of an agreement, while the NY court investigated
my allegations that their grandmother was behaving inappropriately. She'd
been caring for them while I was getting treatment for Military Sexual Trauma.
And sued me for custody in 2009.
Charges were never filed though our family counselor agreed, her behavior
was troubling. I did, however, lose physical custody of my sons in the eleventh
hour, due mainly to my lack of representation in a Texas Family Court, in
February 2011.
I'm hoping I can further strengthen my resolve to get my sons back, during
my Long Road Home journey. I honestly, don't know how I've made it
this far. There, but for the grace of God go I.
Without my sons, I'm not sure where home is?
will also mark two years since I handed my sons over voluntarily to a foster
parent. I did this, as part of an agreement, while the NY court investigated
my allegations that their grandmother was behaving inappropriately. She'd
been caring for them while I was getting treatment for Military Sexual Trauma.
And sued me for custody in 2009.
Charges were never filed though our family counselor agreed, her behavior
was troubling. I did, however, lose physical custody of my sons in the eleventh
hour, due mainly to my lack of representation in a Texas Family Court, in
February 2011.
I'm hoping I can further strengthen my resolve to get my sons back, during
my Long Road Home journey. I honestly, don't know how I've made it
this far. There, but for the grace of God go I.
Without my sons, I'm not sure where home is?
Seeking Active Duty Military On SARC Performance
I'm seeking interviews and/or stories from Active Duty Military Women (or men)
who've recently interacted with their installation's Sexual Assault Response
Coordinator. It will be up to the interviewee to decide whether I use their story
for more than background. In order to accurately gauge how effective the military's
recent policy changes are, I need to hear from you. Our discussions will be held
in the strictist confidence.
who've recently interacted with their installation's Sexual Assault Response
Coordinator. It will be up to the interviewee to decide whether I use their story
for more than background. In order to accurately gauge how effective the military's
recent policy changes are, I need to hear from you. Our discussions will be held
in the strictist confidence.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
You Experienced Sexual Impropriety In The Military
To readers who read my page in search of answers, I have some messages for you. First, it's perfectly normal to feel confused, to feel angry, to wonder, and a sense of what the heck! As someone whose been through all stages of inquiry, to finally forming the conclusion, yes, I was raped; yes, it was wrong; yes, I do matter; yes, this is affecting me; yes, this is affecting my loved ones through me; and yes, I want and need the consequences to stop producing negative results in my life, I say, "Hello"! Welcome. No, you are not alone.
No, one, person will have all of the answers on your journey of discovery.
But, a good, simple place to start is on Facebook. Facebook is easy to search, free, and several of the groups which discuss the topic of military sexual trauma are open. Several are closed.
Here are some sites where you will meet other people who've, believe it or not, been through similarily unbelievable, tangled situations as you have, while serving in the military.
And just like you, they did nothing in their lives before the incident, to deserve what happened to them.
Today, survivors are so fortunate that we are able to communicate via social media. Please consider these sites and share them. Stay tuned to my page for further updates to these lists.
Blessings to you.
Here are the links:
SERVICE Documentary OPEN Facebook Group
The moderators of this site produced a compelling, raw and real
documentary about military women who served in the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan, and who are now disabled, and several
were also victims of Military Sexual Trauma.
The people at SERVICE have developed a bevy of social media platforms
for us to interact with each other, as we search for support and solutions
at our own pace.
Protect Our Defenders OPEN Facebook Site
The moderators of this site are the people who run the
non-profit Protect Our Defenders which is located in
Washington D.C.
Their goal is to educate survivors of legislative solutions
to the problem of military sexual trauma, and to provide
information and links to professionals who are in the fight.
This is the site to go to if you're at a place where you'd
like to take action to stop the current trend in the Department
of Defense.
SERVICE Documentary CLOSED Facebook Group
As with the open group, this group is available to any women
(or men) who are have experienced military sexual trauma, or
who are disabled incident to service.
The Miseducation of Liz Trotta OPEN Facebook Group
This group was developed after the Fox News commentator
Liz Trotta spoke out about military sexual trauma, stating that
women who are raped in service should have expected it.
The group is a good place to read about and lend your
opinion, perspective, to a variety of media products
that are military sexual trauma related.
VetWow OPEN Facebook Site
Susan Avila-Smith oversees VetWow and moderates this group.
Ms. Avila-Smith is "the pioneer" in women veteran advocacy and military
sexual trauma advocacy. As a survivor herself, she has helped literally thousands of women
to file for and win Veterans Administration disability claims.
CLOSED Male Survivors of MST Facebook Site
This Facebook site is run by Brian McWilliams who recently
decided to take action in support of Male MST survivors.
This group is closed and it can be a good first step in finding
other men who've been hurt by incidents of male military sexual
trauma. Many brave men like Brian, are tossing their hats in the ring
in telling their stories to help other men. Right now, half of all
MST survivors being treated are male.
SWAN Facebook Site
Service Women Action Network is one of the newest veteran organizations
and was started by a female Marine Captain.
This site is moderated by SWAN staff. SWAN allows, and often encourages,
anyone to comment on the stories they post each day. In addition, SWAN
allows people to post status's with information that you feel might be of
service to their members. SWAN supports the fight against MST.
No, one, person will have all of the answers on your journey of discovery.
But, a good, simple place to start is on Facebook. Facebook is easy to search, free, and several of the groups which discuss the topic of military sexual trauma are open. Several are closed.
Here are some sites where you will meet other people who've, believe it or not, been through similarily unbelievable, tangled situations as you have, while serving in the military.
And just like you, they did nothing in their lives before the incident, to deserve what happened to them.
Today, survivors are so fortunate that we are able to communicate via social media. Please consider these sites and share them. Stay tuned to my page for further updates to these lists.
Blessings to you.
Here are the links:
SERVICE Documentary OPEN Facebook Group
The moderators of this site produced a compelling, raw and real
documentary about military women who served in the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan, and who are now disabled, and several
were also victims of Military Sexual Trauma.
The people at SERVICE have developed a bevy of social media platforms
for us to interact with each other, as we search for support and solutions
at our own pace.
Protect Our Defenders OPEN Facebook Site
The moderators of this site are the people who run the
non-profit Protect Our Defenders which is located in
Washington D.C.
Their goal is to educate survivors of legislative solutions
to the problem of military sexual trauma, and to provide
information and links to professionals who are in the fight.
This is the site to go to if you're at a place where you'd
like to take action to stop the current trend in the Department
of Defense.
SERVICE Documentary CLOSED Facebook Group
As with the open group, this group is available to any women
(or men) who are have experienced military sexual trauma, or
who are disabled incident to service.
The Miseducation of Liz Trotta OPEN Facebook Group
This group was developed after the Fox News commentator
Liz Trotta spoke out about military sexual trauma, stating that
women who are raped in service should have expected it.
The group is a good place to read about and lend your
opinion, perspective, to a variety of media products
that are military sexual trauma related.
VetWow OPEN Facebook Site
Susan Avila-Smith oversees VetWow and moderates this group.
Ms. Avila-Smith is "the pioneer" in women veteran advocacy and military
sexual trauma advocacy. As a survivor herself, she has helped literally thousands of women
to file for and win Veterans Administration disability claims.
CLOSED Male Survivors of MST Facebook Site
This Facebook site is run by Brian McWilliams who recently
decided to take action in support of Male MST survivors.
This group is closed and it can be a good first step in finding
other men who've been hurt by incidents of male military sexual
trauma. Many brave men like Brian, are tossing their hats in the ring
in telling their stories to help other men. Right now, half of all
MST survivors being treated are male.
SWAN Facebook Site
Service Women Action Network is one of the newest veteran organizations
and was started by a female Marine Captain.
This site is moderated by SWAN staff. SWAN allows, and often encourages,
anyone to comment on the stories they post each day. In addition, SWAN
allows people to post status's with information that you feel might be of
service to their members. SWAN supports the fight against MST.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
LRHP Countdown: Day 102 Recuperation
My friend asked me, why don't you walk three miles every day instead of nine miles every other day so you don't hurt yourself! I can't answer that question. Today, I am very hungry. I haven't been this hungry in a long time and it's actually enjoyable. I'm not eating bad foods. I'm eating foods higher in protein to help my body heal. Pretty quickly, I need to get a bike and be on my way to my first 10 mile ride. I'm hoping my conditioning to this point will pay off. Stay tuned friends ...
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