“I am allowed to name my truth, my experiences and how they have affected me. And those who have harmed me don’t get a say in how I heal, how I move on, how I voice my pain, and if me being real, honest about the harm done to me challenges you – that is on you, not on me. I will not apologize for the ways I have healed the wounds others have caused me.”

“Those things that kept you safe as a kid are going to destroy your adulthood. They don’t work anymore.”
- Dr. John Delony 

“Dear Little Michelle,

You are going to make it. That stubbornness and drive is the perseverance that will set you apart. You are going to not just survive but thrive, even though all odds say you won’t. I know none of this makes sense now, and that is okay, just keep fighting.”

Goodbyes can come in so many different ways but I am choosing to believe that with every ‘goodbye’ comes healing, growth, redirection, realignment and new ‘hellos’ waiting to happen. 

Ever wonder the best way to support a someone after they go through trauma? Here is how you!

As someone who’s life motto is ‘survivor not victim’ I am fed up with people misusing the word - victim. Victim in itself is not a bad word. The word “victim” is simply a noun, a person or thing who has been victimized to subjugation, mistreatment, or even life threatening events. And you know what there are times I have been a victim in my life - I wouldn’t have been burned if I wasn’t! And microaggressions and these responses to microaggressions are a - mistreatment. Yet I have chosen to become and be a survivor.

“I will not minimize myself for you to be comfortable.”

“I couldn't heal because i kept pretending i wasn't hurt”

It’s like my body and mind are telling me “your story isn’t finished yet, you need to see and feel this now.”

Having Eli’s support is what has allowed me to get back to my life again! Please support service dogs when you see them out working (or training) and spread awareness.