I Feel Ashamed of My Chronic Illness
It was the second-to-last assault. Jonathan was my best friend at the time, and when he stepped forward to hug … Continue reading I Feel Ashamed of My Chronic Illness
Tag: assault
Reconnection
One morning I woke up, and my teeth were not clenched anymore. My face wasn’t twisted by nightmares. I had … Continue reading Reconnection
Mourning
The first thing it makes space for is sorrow. As the rage and terror ebb away, the grief can overwhelm … Continue reading Mourning
Safety
I knew safety was the first step towards healing after trauma. But I had thought that simply meant pushing my … Continue reading Safety
The Stations of the Cross
Nothing, other than chronic illness, has acquainted me more intimately with death than trauma. Through the violence that one body … Continue reading The Stations of the Cross
After He Strangled Me
The next morning I went downstairs to breakfast in the dining hall as usual, but it wasn’t usual. I sat … Continue reading After He Strangled Me
The Ninth Assault
Webbstock is a tradition at Webb Institute going back to 1979. All about booze and bands, it runs from daybreak … Continue reading The Ninth Assault
In the Aftermath
Jonathan’s assault was among the least violent of the assaults I’ve survived. In fact, to some people, it isn’t an … Continue reading In the Aftermath
The Eighth Assault
You think you know someone. You let your guard down because you tell yourself they wouldn’t. They couldn’t possibly. They’re … Continue reading The Eighth Assault
Healing Through Dance
Because trauma is of the body, it must be healed through the body. I needed a safe space where I … Continue reading Healing Through Dance
