Survivor

I have to admit that I struggled writing this article, it is very personal to me. My struggles weren’t with myself, but in knowing that others are struggling and fighting for their lives at this very moment.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I am a survivor of both. My heart goes out to all the men and women that are affected by these. One day there will be a cure for breast cancer and one day there will be an end to the violence against women and children.
Survivor, what does it mean? To me, a survivor means that you lived through a dangerous threat to your life and you are now safe from it. As a survivor, you always hold a special place in your heart for anyone going through what you have endured. You feel their pain, you know the signs and you try to help. Their pain is your pain. You never forget the horror of living through it but you always try to help others in some way.
Breast Cancer: Researchers are continually working on new chemo cocktails as wel as using the cancer patients own cells to help fight the disease. We are far from where we started from, but still have a ways to go. Each day is progress in the making. I have faith that we will get there one day. I would like to personally thank the; researchers, doctors, nurses, cancer patients, everyone involved in fundraising, etc. Not only is getting cancer very hard on the patient, physically and mentally, it is devastating financially. Some people have insurance, some don’t. Some people have fundraisers held to relieve the financial burdens, some don’t. For some, they don’t know where their next meal will come from or how they will get to their next treatment, I know because I was one of them. Then you have those who truly don’t need the help they receive, and that saddens me because there are so many people out there that are in need of it. Please look into things that you can do within your community that can help someone. For more information go to: http://www.breastcancer.org/
Domestic Violence: The more you learn about Domestic Violence, the more you will understand the cycle of abuse. The abuser has been trained so thoroughly that they are blind to the fact that it is their fault that pain was inflicted on someone else. I firmly believe that DV can be ended through education and counselling. The end to the violence comes when someone says, “I can’t live like this anymore.” This one statement applies to the victim and the abuser. The abuser has learned this behavior from an abuser; it is all part of the cycle. I believe we can teach children what to look for and the correct way to deal with their emotions. For the victim, please seek help from the professionals if you are contemplating leaving. Have a safe plan, there are people who specialize in helping you, please seek them out at 1-800-799-7233.
To all my brothers and sisters out there, we have just one life and a million chances in this lifetime to help our fellow man. Our children and their future are a huge key to ending the violence. So I am asking you to reach out and help in some way. If you are not sure how to help, speak to a professional. The difference could be in a man who deals with his emotions appropriately or one that carries on the tradition of beating his wife and kids.
If you know someone fighting any form of illness, ask how you can help them. Offer your support and be there for them. You don’t have to be family to stay by ones side. All hugs are welcome, please remember that.
I wrote other articles and blogs about Domestic Violence and Breast Cancer. You will find the blogs under the Blog category on the main page.
To the victim of DV, please realize that there is a much better life out there waiting for you. Hugs to you and please stay safe.
Remember, always appreciate every moment of this wonderful gift of life we are given. I am so blessed to have made it through and I thank God every day for it. Please educate yourself about these two important subjects and then see how you can help. Remember, what affects one eventually effects all.
Anger produces more anger.
Love encourages more love.
Compassion becomes contagious.
Hope remains eternal.