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Survivor story
The Scars Remain, But I Rise: A Survivor's Story
Original story
For over four decades, a heavy secret festered within me. As a male survivor of childhood sexual abuse by a family member, the shame is felt isolated and suffocating. The silence I held onto became a prison, but a voice now compels me to break free. A voice now compels me to break free, whispering, 'It's time to write this. Shattering this silence is a giant leap toward reclaiming my power and self-worth. It's like stepping out of a suffocating darkness and into the sunlight of self-belief and resilience. This journey, however, wouldn't be possible without the unwavering support of organization, organization 2, my incredible friends, and the organization 3. This journey demands immense courage – facing the pain, healing the wounds, and rewriting my story. Every step is a victory, a defiance against the shadows of the past. Breaking free opens the door to a future free from the burden of abuse, a future where I can build healthy connections and cultivate self-love. The healing journey might be challenging, but it's a powerful reminder of the human spirit's incredible ability to heal and transform. Though scars may remain, they do not define me. I am a survivor, and my story is one of courage and resilience. Forgiveness is a personal journey, and while I may choose to forgive, it does not erase what happened. The world may seem different now, but within me lies an incredible wellspring of resilience. My story is far from over. I will embrace the journey of healing, and know that with time, the light of self-love will shine ever brighter. I am worthy of a future filled with healthy connections, fulfilling experiences, and endless possibilities. With each step, I break free. The scars remain, a testament to my journey, but the light within me shines brighter than ever. The future is mine to write.
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Grounding activity
Find a comfortable place to sit. Gently close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths - in through your nose (count to 3), out through your mouth (count of 3). Now open your eyes and look around you. Name the following out loud:
5 – things you can see (you can look within the room and out of the window)
4 – things you can feel (what is in front of you that you can touch?)
3 – things you can hear
2 – things you can smell
1 – thing you like about yourself.
Take a deep breath to end.
From where you are sitting, look around for things that have a texture or are nice or interesting to look at.
Hold an object in your hand and bring your full focus to it. Look at where shadows fall on parts of it or maybe where there are shapes that form within the object. Feel how heavy or light it is in your hand and what the surface texture feels like under your fingers (This can also be done with a pet if you have one).
Take a deep breath to end.
Ask yourself the following questions and answer them out loud:
1. Where am I?
2. What day of the week is today?
3. What is today’s date?
4. What is the current month?
5. What is the current year?
6. How old am I?
7. What season is it?
Take a deep breath to end.
Put your right hand palm down on your left shoulder. Put your left hand palm down on your right shoulder. Choose a sentence that will strengthen you. For example: “I am powerful.” Say the sentence out loud first and pat your right hand on your left shoulder, then your left hand on your right shoulder.
Alternate the patting. Do ten pats altogether, five on each side, each time repeating your sentences aloud.
Take a deep breath to end.
Cross your arms in front of you and draw them towards your chest. With your right hand, hold your left upper arm. With your left hand, hold your right upper arm. Squeeze gently, and pull your arms inwards. Hold the squeeze for a little while, finding the right amount of squeeze for you in this moment. Hold the tension and release. Then squeeze for a little while again and release. Stay like that for a moment.
Take a deep breath to end.