I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you again today. Things have escalated, in rather predictable fashion, and I just don't have the energy.
Instead, I've decided to call a sick day, and have that nervous breakdown I've been promising myself for months. (Well, once the appliance repair guy leaves, anyhow... don't want things to get too messy!) Jammies, books and comfort food -- and, happily, yesterday my therapist prescribed me daily foot massages from Don! (I love my therapist...) I will also be indulging my inner child by designing her a Pudding Room*, at least on paper -- still have to convince Don about converting the garage, but maybe if I distract him with a new kitten, he won't notice the construction...
But I did want to mark the day(s), at least, as it's so important for people to be aware of the issues, and to know where to seek the help they need.
Here are a few of my favourite places -- if you know of others, please add them in the comments below, because I'd like to include a page on the Katie Foundation website of such sites:
- York Region Abuse Program: www.yrap.ca
- Little Warriors: www.littlewarriors.ca
- The Men's Project: www.themensproject.ca (specifically for male survivors, as the title might suggest)
- Canadian Centre for Child Protection: www.protectchildren.ca
- Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies: www.useyourvoice.ca
Break the silence, shout it out. Let's make that 1 in 4 statistic whimper.
In solidarity (and jammies)
Alyssa
*Pudding Room
An idea my friend and I came up with last night -- there may have been wine involved. A therapy room with BIG BOWLS OF PUDDING you can fling at the walls as you safely vent your rage (don't think anyone's ever been injured by pudding, but we will research this, just in case...). When you're finished, sprinklers come out of the ceiling and wash it all down the drain in the middle of the floor.
Or, if you're like another friend who commented on the idea, you could just sit in the middle of the room and eat all the pudding. Unless, of course, your trauma has manifested as an eating disorder, in which case that might not be such a good idea...
The Pudding Room can be used for whatever makes you feel better, without causing yourself or others harm. (And it comes in several great flavours!)
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Alyssa, I want to say something so profound that will heal your wounds. I do not have your gift of words.
ReplyDeleteThe gate keeper gave you back your childhood tools that you used to make your life seem normal, this person gave you bank a gift, the gift that you no longer have to play by their rules. By giving back your tools, the art of maintaining a pretense is over. It's like you have permission to move forward, no longer do you have to make tools to protect them.
hugs Patricia
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