Hope Domestic Violence Sexual Abuse Michelle Poitier Jacksonville , Florida October 2015
· re , BltlNC .
1 -1 c , 1:11 : llf141 : lll : · r141 : lll : l ! S
Ne > l -l c > 1 » 1 :
In 2013 , 44 year old Michelle Angelique Poitier hit rock bottom . She had lost her apartment , car , her position , a significant love relationship and relationship with her parents . With no home of her own , she was forced to live with friends . Her life was in a rapidly downward spiral and suicide appeared to be the only way out . After spending thirteen years in the US Navy , Michelle left military service in 2003 due to a heart condition and a medical disorder eventually diagnosed as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD secondary to Military Sexual Trauma ( MST ). The agency ' s statistics show that between 11 to 20 percent of veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan experience PTSD . Women are more likely to develop PTSD than men because they are more likely to experience sexual assault and child sexual abuse . Michelle Poitier is one of those women .
After leaving the Navy , it was increasingly difficult for Michelle to just get out of the bed each day . " The things that I enjoyed , I wasn ' t enjoying anymore :' Her first sexual assault occurred when she was six years old . An uncle tried to rape her while she was sleeping . " I thought that it was a dream ;' she says . " When he was finished , the last thing he said was if you tell anyone , I will kill you :' She felt terrified and alone . Her mother was away in the military , and Michelle was being raised by her grandmother . A couple of months later , a second uncle exposed himself to her .
" I am tired of lies and secrets because secrets hurt us ;' says Michelle . " There are so many women that are suffering who aren ' t able to talk about it :' To overcome what had happened , Michelle tried to excel at everything during her naval career . However , by the time she left the US Armed Forces , Michelle was a broken woman . " The sexual trauma has impacted every aspect of my life ;' says Michelle . " It has impacted my relationships , finances , and every step of my life :'
Two years later , Michelle Poitier is an entirely different person . She found a new purpose in her experience ; now residing in Jacksonville , Florida , Michelle is an advocate for women and public speaker confronting the stigma of sexual abuse , PTSD due to military sexual trauma , homelessness and domestic violence among women . She has become the agent of change she wanted to see , helping women to overcome their circumstances and hope and dream again . She mentors female veterans taking them on expeditions as a No Barriers Warriors expedition Leader .
Although , it ' s in the infancy stages , established in August 2015 , " Healing Women Healing Nations ofJacksonville Inc : s motto is to Engage the community , Educate women and women veterans with children on their benefits and resources , and Empower them to persevere through their trials to accomplish their dreams . The ultimate purpose is to provide safe , stable housing to these women and their children to help them rebuild their lives . She takes a proactive stance on being a positive force for change in the lives of women who otherwise would not have a voice . Her true focus and passion is empowering women to heal from their wounds , regain their voice and find their place in society again .
Michelle Poitier is a contributing writer to " Queendom Magazine " writing articles on " Personal and Professional Transformation ", " Sistas Helping Sistas ", " Will You Be Made Whole - Surviving Sexual and Domestic Abuse ''. and " An Endangered Species -Hate crimes Against African Americans are on the rise ". She travels around the United States sharing her story , bringing hope to others . Her message is founded on these principles
Transparency , Vulnerability and Accountability ." Just to be able to bring a gleam back to someone ' s eye , providing hope where there was none , is what drives me ." To Whom Much Is Given , Much Is Required . I am my sister ' s keeper and must go out to reach as many as I can ; extending the lifeline that was extended to me ... to others ! A life without purpose is a life without meaning . My goal is to help others identify and pursue their passion without reservations apologies . or