This moderated blog is a project of the Ruth Institute. Have a story to tell? We’re listening.
transcript of Brandon Showalter’s presentation Survivors’ Summit, Ruth Institute’s annual conference, Lake Charles, Louisiana Good afternoon, everyone. I’m honored to be here today and as
I am a different victim of rejection from society due to being fired in 1986 after I was married and then assaulted in a women’s
Sexual abuse by a pornography-addicted family member, mistrust in men, toxic homosexual relationships filled with every form of abuse to the point of almost dying,
I had a saline abortion in 1975. This is my witness in front of the Supreme Court. This is the truth. Abortion is
I was praying and sidewalk counseling outside of Planned Parenthood. A couple pulled into the parking lot and stayed in their car. We prayed they’d
This post contains mature content. Read with caution. I looked up and saw a man watching me. We made eye contact. He hurried away, as
When I reached adulthood in the Sixties with a college degree, I was determined to pursue my career and didn’t really desire to have children.
Yesterday my boyfriend said to me, “I wish I had a chance to just hold my child as he cried.” And he made it worse
1. Have you ever had flashbacks? PTSD symptoms? Definitely; in fact, I have been diagnosed with PTSD. The most constant symptoms are hypervigilance and self-hate.
1. Have you ever had flash backs? Yes. Had the same nightmare for many years until I met my hubby. Suddenly they stopped. However, occasionally
1. Have you ever had flashbacks? Yes. They revolve around being trapped, running away from the house (my grandmother’s house) after some times of abuse,
1. I have PTSD symptoms frequently (once is enough!) and unexpectedly. I go into a zone of terror; it’s a terror that paralyzes like a
Your choices and the choices of others have a huge affect on your life. You can probably name specific instances of choices you find inspiring. On the other hand, many people have made sexual, marital and/or reproductive choices that they regret. They have inadvertently harmed themselves, and possibly other loved ones. We are building a community of people who want to understand this problem, and who want to speak out about it to provide encouragement to others.
We provide online platforms for those who are ready to share their story. Your story might inspire others or help somebody else avoid the same pain you went through or watched others go through. Your story matters.
To submit your story, please provide the details below. Submissions work well at around 700 words or less. Need a prompt or two to get going? Check out inspiring stories in our Resource Center story collective. Read other survivor stories on the “Tell Ruth the Truth” blog.
