Facebook is an incredible thing. Since I opened my account, I’ve reconnected with people I thought I’d lost forever. I disconnected with people I should have a long time before. And I’ve made many wonderful connections I would never have been able to had it not been for Facebook. One of these connections is with Bill Murray III. Not the Ghostbuster and SNL alum…although he does have a great sense of humor and his mission is to help people exorcise demons; the demons that haunt the victims and survivors of child abuse through the National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (http://www.naasca.org/).
Bill and I haven’t ever met outside the virtual world. We have a friend in common who posted a personal achievement. There was something about Bill’s comment that intrigued me. I clicked on his name, saw a little bit more about him and requested his friendship. When he graciously accepted, I sent him a message thanking him and for doing the important work he does at NAASCA. I told him that I am a survivor of a variety of forms of childhood abuse. He told me that he is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse as well. And a kinship was formed.
From there, we got to chatting about our paths toward recovery. It’s rarely a straight line and it certainly hasn’t been in my case. But it’s worth it. So much has happened in the past few years, even more in the last few months to impact my recovery process. I could have viewed these events as crippling…and at first they were. instead, I chose to turn them into catalysts in my metamorphosis from victim to survivor. Life is still hard and bad things are inevitable but now more than ever, I believe that life is worth living. Despite my past, I am worthy of happiness in the present and future. It’s there for me, too. Bill asked me to be the special guest speaker on NAASCA’s internet radio show called BlogTalkRadio Stop Child Abuse now (SCAN). Because I’ve found catharsis in shedding the shame attached to the abuse I endured and in my disclosure, other survivors found the courage to share their stories and get the help they’ve needed for so long, I said “yes.” Without hesitation. Without even thinking about it…that’s right, Judy the Over-Thinker said “yes” without giving it any thought.
So that’s how I spent 90 minutes of my Friday night last night; talking about my experience, strength and hope to help myself and other adult survivors of child abuse. The link below will bring you to the entire 90 minute show. Listen if you like. Understandable if you don’t. I didn’t get very graphic but anytime anyone recounts incidents of child abuse, it can be disturbing. Plus…you might not want to know THAT much about me. But you’re welcome to.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bill-murray/2014/05/31/stop-child-abuse-now-scan–845
If you or anyone you know is an adult survivor of child abuse and want an empathetic person to talk to about it, any of the residual effects or to find out where to get help, please contact me. We’re in this life together.
Thank you Facebook for making the world a little smaller and life a lot better.
Namaste.
a journey in words 