On December 8, 2014, I attended another meeting—a meeting that wasn’t even scheduled with the court clerk where I had to fight to not go into a room with my ex. During this meeting I was told, “Your children have been made aware that you have PTSD, and they do not ever want to see you again. If you try to open this up in court again, we will strongly advocate for your never being allowed near children again because of your PTSD, and your children will be placed in foster care. However, if you make the decision to go back to your husband and leave with him tonight, you will be able to have your children back tonight.”
#2 How have you been able to continue helping others even through this complete hell you have been experiencing?
For me this is not just about getting my children back—this is about doing whatever it takes to get regulation in Ontario so that no other family has to be ripped apart and experience what I’m experiencing. I’m not going to say it has been easy—I spent 2 days after the most recent meeting basically in a fetal position on the floor, but I have learned that it is very true—that you rise by helping others. So, I was able to wipe the tears from my eyes and the dust from my clothes—head over to the computer and do some research or help someone else that is hurting somewhere in the world.
#3 Why are you so dedicated and so passionate about what you do?
The answer to this is simple. I made a promise to myself that as long as I survived I would do whatever it took to ensure no one I could reach would ever feel what I have felt. That they would know they are not alone—that I would stay true to myself and live knowing, regardless of the adversity, that life is beautiful—and sometimes you have to wait for what is beautiful…that means you may fall, but you must climb back up, know that you are not dying—no matter how badly it hurts and how much it feels like you are dying—make a healing adventure and live like you were flying. The faster we turn our wounds into wisdom, the more knowledge we seek…the closer we all will come to healing and authentic global peace.
#4 You said earlier that you “do not pride yourself on formal education”—can you expand on that?
In my experience, any prior education I had in respect to mental health was irrelevant and completely inaccurate. When it comes to this injury—it is an injury and not a mental illness. Nothing taught was even close to reality. Independent research, networking with doctors, other researchers, etc., but most significantly, listening to and caring about others and their loved ones who has experienced a markedly abnormal traumatic life event, powerful enough to cause this injury and most of all establishing an International family of advocate who were on the same path is ultimately why I am able to understand and see this injury for what it is…it is not a disorder. It is an injury.
Left untreated, the side effects very often mirror those of mental illness. I mean, who feels sane without sleep? Who feels sane who is experiencing extreme pain? The medications used to “treat” this injury also cause these “insane” feelings because these medications were not intended for injuries. For PTSD, the FDA approved drugs are not even maintenance.
Knowing this offers amazing hope for the future because when properly identified and treated, injuries heal. Regulating the nervous system via holistic modalities turns this wound into wisdom…controlling pain and sleep is priority so that the adventure of healing and awakening the mind, body and soul can be effective and begin.
One of the main problems with PTSD is the lack of 1st response care.
People back away rather than surround the injured person with love and support.
It’s so important to remember this is not the end…this is an opportunity to grow and become. It is an exciting and positive thought process.
To be continued in next month’s issue…