Inspirational Survivors

I've wanted to do a section for this web site for some time now depicting the amazing strength of some of the men and women I have met throughout my life, whether they are in the media Advocating and spreading the truth, or simply phenomenal women who've held a significant place in my heart.

I believe strength is a force that is to be reckoned with and the healing these men and women have endured has taken them well past being a soul survivor of sexual and physical violence, they are now thrivers on a journey to inspire and move the world with their stories and personal validation, through personal courage, and perseverance, through Advocacy, music, personal projects, writing and so much more.

Vera

Vera is one of the strongest women I know. She created a Web site for Survivors of Sexual Abuse called 'Dancing In The Darkness', that flourished faster than any other site on the net, giving personal support, answers and information on such a vast level. Through her journey building this web site, she then went on to create a message board for survivors called 'After Silence'. Had it not been for the strength and protection of this beautiful forum I would not have an on-line family to turn to in my own time of need. What she has given all of us, is a way to find others who are just like us. To validate that we are not alone in our healing. I met Vera in September of 2004 in New York City, New York, and the strength I saw in her eyes is one I will forever be thankful for. Because she is a true Inspiration to many Survivors that we can all make our dent in this world.

Kellie Greene

Kellie is the founder and director of SOAR (Speaking Out About Rape) which provides national awareness, education and prevention programs to empower survivors of sexual violence and enhance the public's understanding and acceptance of rape victims. I met her twice in 2005, once for 'Operation Freefall' and again for 'SOAR SPA', and of course will see her again many more times since these two programs have become such a valid part of my own personal healing. 'Operation Freefall' is an annual event held on the anniversary of Kellie's attack each year, to take a two mile high stand against sexual abuse by skydiving to the earth below. 'SOAR SPA' (Something Positive Afterward) is a weekend retreat for survivors and their families designed to enhance the healing process by rejuvenating the spirit and fostering supportive relationships and bonds. Kellie has been an Inspiration to me for many years, after watching her tell her story on 20/20 with Tori Amos and finding my own strength to live past the personal pain and anguish, I too have gone on to become an advocate. That is the power one voice can have on another.

Julie Lynch

I met Julie during SOAR SPA in 2005. I walked up to her and I said "So you're the girl who did the movie 'Getting Off', it's so nice to meet you!" I hadn't yet seen the movie but it was playing at a theater we all attended the second night. The movie was so powerful, so real, so true to who a real survivor is that my heart literally sank watching it. I cried, I felt emotion, and I felt understood. During the end of the movie we were all able to get to know Julie just a little bit better by asking her questions and just hanging out with her during the entire event which she was present for, and she has shown us that when you set your mind to it, you can do anything you believe in. Julie is now in the process of getting another movie about child abuse funded for new production and we just can't wait to see what her vision brings to the world. Click here to Visit Julie's 'Getting Off' page.

Jane Piper

Jane is the founder and director of an organization called 'SAAV' (Survivors & Artists for Abolishing Violence), using art and all forms of creative expression, committed to providing sexual assault survivors with a safe, caring and informed place to unite. Empowering women to rid themselves of the shame and secrecy surrounding rape by supplying the tools needed to find their voice. I met Jane at SOAR SPA in 2005, and found her to be one of the most Inspirational self speakers I have ever met. There wasn't a question in my own mind that this girl did not hesitate to ask, and I will always remember her strength to stand and BE the message we all need to hear in this world.

Donna Ferres

Donna is the Author of the book 'Undying Will' whom I met during SOAR SPA 2005. Her bravery in telling her story as a way to present her book to the group was so powerful I will forever remember her conviction and her strength in telling the world she will not be silent for the man that kidnapped, raped and nearly killed her so many years ago.

Louise Palmer

Louise is one of the writers for SELF Magazine, I met her during SOAR SPA in 2005. She is a phenomenal woman with a spirit that truly soared! Her reasons for being there were more than just to write an article about this event, but to BE a part of this event as a supporter and as a Survivor herself. And I felt a certain sense of connection to her story as she broke her silence publicly for the first time with us.

Jennifer Urezzio

Jennifer is an Inspiration to me, I met her at SOAR SPA 2005, she runs a Natural Remedies business called 'Blooming Grove' in which she encourages men and women to find sanctity and peace in aromatherapy through soaps, bath teas and oils. She was the reason I decided to give myself a little "ME" time each and every single day, even if it's just a hot bath with one of her products, the invigoration is magical and helps me connect with my own spirit as I leave my troubles at the door.

Tori Amos

I met Tori Amos during a private show at a Hotel in 2003. My friend knew someone who helped us meet her in person. She is a musician and she sang a few songs to all 30 of the guests present that day in this little room on the 5th floor of the 'W' Hotel in San Francisco, and at the end we all were able to talk to her and take our photos with her photographer which was wonderful. I finally had the opportunity to tell her I was a survivor and how much she truly meant to me, as she embraced me with a couple of hugs and some sweet words of encouragement telling me that "We all need people like you in the world". The reason I love Tori so much is because she is real, she is a survivor and her music has been a tremendous inspiration to me for a long time. It was because of her music that I was Inspired to simply feel again and I can't say that about anyone else in the music industry so I have a lot to be thankful for in terms of this beautiful woman who has also touched the lives of millions worldwide.

Patti Feuereisen

Patti is the Author of the book 'Invisible Girls' tracking the minds and thoughts of every kind of girl Survivor there can be. What is amazing about Patti's book is that anything that can happen has happened and it's not up to society to tell us we are alone when we truly are amongst survivors every day of our lives. She addresses such subjects as 'The Lolita Complex' and 'Pandora's Box' as well which was the Inspiration for my up-coming personal CD, and she's gone on to become one of the greatest writers in my collection. We even appeared on the same talk show, different dates. I can honestly say without Patti's book I would still be stuck in a hard place, mentally.