Before I started the course I couldn’t handle my emotions and it had a knock on effect on my daughter. She was only 2 but always saw me sad, upset and not understanding why. As a very young child up until my teens I was sexually and physically abused, which left me with a lot of scars and very emotional.
In my early teens I turned to drink and drugs to numb my pain, flash backs and emotions, which were my tools to cope as I felt dirty, powerless, ashamed etc. When I fell pregnant with my daughter I gave up the drink and drugs straight away but the emotions of my childhood crept back in and I knew I couldn’t go back to drink and drugs to numb my pain, flash backs and emotions.
I went through counseling about a year ago which helped me use tools to conquer the flash backs etc but I still had the pain and emotions. I started to isolate myself and stayed in my shell, which was not good for me or my daughter. At this stage I knew I had to do something to move me to living for now and make me love myself again and be happy, to start living and not just existing.
What I take from this course is I have now been able to trust people again. I have made new friends and started to go to a group that I’m interested in. I am now more confident and most of all I can see the magnificent me and have grown to love myself again. I have also just got myself a job to work with young offenders in which I intend to use the tools and lessons in mentoring them and helping them believe in their selves so that they can change their lives.
I can now walk away from negativity and feel more empowered. I no longer hang my head down in shame; I hold my head up high, as I’m a survivor. My daughter is much happier now and our home life is more fun, full of happiness and love. I’m a more positive person now and believe that I can achieve anything I set my mind to. I’m really looking forward to the new me and the next chapter in my life.”
Ms GW, a parent
PS Ms GW is doing a sponsored Skydive on behalf of our charity Every Family Matters
PPS During the course Ms GW set a goal to overcome her isolation and get out more. She achieved her goal and met a man she has now become engaged to and they plan to marry next year.
Ms GW has also recorded a video interview:
