But I am Your Voice

I know you are probably crying
Alone, not knowing what to do
Having no one to turn to
And not understanding what is happening

Confused, lost, unknown and unseen
Curled away and forgotten
The darkness of the room
Alone, looking out the window with no hope in sight

Listening, praying but no God there
To help in the slightest way
A bang on the door
Or a glimmer of hope, to be stolen at any moment

Looking at his sick face daily
Seeing the disgust; being touched
Living with evil
A nightmare on every turn

I know you don't know me
And would not acknowledge me in the crowd
But I am your voice
Where you will be, once he is gone.

Be strong, tonight may be dark and the footsteps loud
But he can never destroy you
For I am here, waiting, your future self
Writing slow tales of the horror you endured.

Feel safe knowing I am here
Keeping you kind
Getting you help
And holding you as you cry

By Tracey Copyright 2009

Festival Pics-One Of Several

501(c) Status

We congratulate Healing through Creativity on becoming 501(c) Status - not for profit.

Volunteers, Artists, Presenters and participants welcomed to the event. Contact us today on how you can help us.

More about the event:

Trauma Survivors and Supporters of Survivors of Trauma are invited to share art, music, writing, poetry and other creative forms at the Healing Through Creativity Festival.


More information, links and forum at www.healingthroughcreativity.org


Free Art Event for Survivors of Trauma including Rape, Sexual Abuse, Domestic Violence, Crime, War Trauma, Disability, Illness, Accidents, Grief, Loss and other Trauma.

More about the forum for you and your friends:

Trauma survivors & supporters are welcome to share thoughts, creativity (art, writing & poetry, drawing, painting, sculpting, jewelry making, ...etc) and communication at the 'Healing Through Creativity' message board for survivors. Feel the light within your inner soul shine and thrive. This forum is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who is creative to use their creativity as an outlet for healing and it's not just for survivors of violence, it's for survivors of any kind of trauma....sexual abuse, domestic violence, cancer, eating disorders, disease, grief and loss, disability...ect. So please feel free to join and heal with us.

Check out the HTC store for HTC artist work for sale.

Schedule 2009

The Healing Through Creativity Festival is a celebration of healing with a focus on the positive.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO POST ON YOUR BLOG, WEBSITE OR DISTRIBUTE TO FRIENDS WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING.

Oct 17 Saturday
9:00AM Opening Ceremony and Reception in Center for Integrated Art (9-9:30)
9:30AM Open Gallery
10:00AM Book Reading “Surviving Cancer and Other Tough Stuff: An Integrated Journal and Workbook for Healthy and Abundant Life and Becoming Who You Really Are” and signing by Kanta Bosniak(10-11:30).
11:00AM Crime Prevention Radio Live by Susan Bartlestone (A NYC internet radio) in and around the Festival
12 Noon Break – Open Gallery
1:00PM Creative Journaling Workshop – Supporting Positive Change by Kanta Bosniak
2:00PM Inside the Inner World of Dissociative by Heather Pate in the Main Building (2-3)
3:00PM Workshop
4:00PM “When Hope Won’t Be Found – Seeking Help For Trauma Recovery” by Sara Z in Main Building (4-5).
5:00PM Break (Possible Music and Poetry in Center for Integrated Art)
6:00PM Various Media for Telling Your Story by Will Perks in Center for Integrated Art (6-7+).
7:00PM Drumming Circle – between buildings (7-10).

Oct 18 Sunday
12 Noon Open Gallery
1:00PM When Hope Won’t Be Found – Seeking Help For Trauma Recovery” by Sara Z in Main Building (1-2).
2:00PM Self Esteem Workshop by Will Perks in the Main Building (2-3).
3:00PM Poetry Workshop by Charkara Ervin in Center for Integrated Art (3-4).
4:00PM “Life Lines: Celebrate Your Journey” Journaling Workshop by Dawn Espelage in Main Building.
5:30PM Break (Possible Music and Poetry in Center for Integrated Art)
6:00PM Workshop (To be announced) in Center for Integrated Art (6-7+).
7:00PM Music and Poetry Performances – Tommy Edwards, George Robertson & Others (7-10).

Oct 19 Monday
1:00PM Stress Reduction Workshop Kanta Bosniak in Center for Integrated Art (1-3).

Oct 20 Tuesday
6:00PM Slow Jam – Bluegrass in Festival Area (6-9).

Oct 21 Wednesday
6:00PM Theater as a Healing Art in Festival Area (6-7).
7:00PM “Life Lines: Celebrate Your Journey” Journaling Workshop by Dawn Espelage (7-8+).
8:00PM Water Heater Calab Fest – an art jam (local event from 7 – 10, details available).

Oct 22 Thursday
7:00PM Merry Pranksters Group - Festival Area (7-8).

Oct 23 Friday
12 Noon Open Gallery
2:00PM Basics of Grief and Healing by Will Perks in the Main Building (2-3:30).
3:30PM Break - Open Gallery.
4:00PM Bridgette Rose Poetry with Music in Center for Integrated Art (4-5).
5:00PM Self Esteem Workshop by Will Perks in Main Building (5-6).
6:00PM Workshop (To be announced) in Center for Integrated Art (6-7+).
7:00PM Music and Poetry Performances – Goodnight Silo and others - Festival Area (7-10).

Oct 24 Saturday
9:00AM Open Gallery
11:00AM Inside the Inner World of Dissociative by Heather Pate in the Main Building (11-12).
12 Noon Break – Open Gallery (Harvest Festival Activities will coincide with afternoon HTC events)
1:00PM Surviving Sexual Assault” presentation by LaQuisha Hall (Mrs Maryland Galaxy) 2:00PM Workshop
3:00PM Yoga For Healing by Carly Sachs and Friend in Main Room (3-4:30).
4:00PM Music and Poetry by Spectral Arts in Festival Area (4-5).
5:00PM Break (Possible Music and Poetry in Center for Integrated Art)
6:00PM Poetry Readings (Bridgette Rose, Carly Sachs and Friends in Center for Integrated Art (6-7).
7:00PM Music and Poetry Performances – Carly Sachs, Tommy Edwards, George Robertson & Others

Contact Details for the Healing through Creativity Event.
Email:info@healingthroughcreativity.org, Telephone: George Robertson 304 545 6286 Postal Address: PO Box 896, Bluefield VA 24605 USA

Where Did The Time Go?

I can't believe that on 9/1/08 my book will have been out for one year! It still blows my mind at times that I thought this was impossible! Accomplishing this reaffirms my belief that anything is possible. It also reaffirms my belief in the healing process and that there IS hope for other survivors!

It took me almost 3 years to finish this. In 2005 I had a major triggering event with my abuser that brought ALL of these feelings back. I stand by and I am proud of this work. It has caused a major rift with my family. It is a consequence that I am willing to accept. Maintaining family relationships are NO trade off for tranquility and peace!


I am looking forward to this year's festival with great anticipation!

http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=219395

The Morning Writer

This website was created by a fellow writer friend of mine. It has a lot of useful writing tools.

The one I like the most is journal prompting. For thoes of us who are not comfortable publically talking about our experiences this might be a useful healing excercise. I used to keep a journal when I was in high school. I also keep one currently. If you have some time please go and check out the website. It is also loaded with book reviews and resources for writers.

http://teresabrouwer.webs.com/apps/members/

http://teresabrouwer.webs.com/

You are Not Alone Book 2

Eating Disorder Recovery is possible.

You are not Alone, Book 2, is an inspiring collection of personal recovery stories, poems, art work and song lyrics by women who are in recovery or fully recovered from an eating disorder.

Order You are Not Alone Book 2 plus free companion CD via Amazon.

Profits are donated to eating disorder organisations to help raise awareness & help others in recovery.

Andrea Roe is an author and speaker whose mission is to show individuals struggling with eating disorders that they are not alone.

Check out her website today at www.youarenotalonebook.com

Another Great Read

I had the opportunity to read this book several years ago. The details of the abuse were so atrocious that I had to stop reading to catch my breath. Through it all he managed to survive and finally told someone what was happening to him!

Mr. Pelzer is truly an inspiration. He has been able to transcend his abuse and share his story with the world. I have also read The Lost Boy and A Man Called Dave which I highly recommend. I especially liked his other book Help Yourself.

By reading his story it reaffirms that we are not alone and that there is hope in healing.

Call for Presenters, Performers and Artists

CALLING PRESENTERS, PERFORMERS AND ARTISTS

Submit your art work, present your workshop or performance at the 4th Annual Healing through Creativity Art Event for Survivors of Trauma

Trauma Survivors and Supporters of Survivors of Trauma are invited to share art, music, writing, poetry and other creative forms at the Healing Through Creativity Festival. Connect with other trauma survivors at the event. Volunteer today.

Calling for Presenters, Performers and Artists. CONTACT US NOW.

When: Oct 17-24 2009

Where : Heart of Virginia Foundation Center for Integrated Arts, Grandin Gardens, 1731 Grandin Rd, Roanoke, Virginia

The experience helps trauma survivors and promotes community understanding.


For more information visit our website and forum at www.healingthroughcreativity.org for contact details. Email info@healingthroughcreativity.org.

CHECK IT OUT TODAY

The Courage To Heal, 20th Anniversary Edition

A couple of days ago, I received my copy of The Courage To Heal 20th Anniversary Edition. As I was flipping through it I noticed some changes from the 3rd edition that I would like to share with everybody.The authors have added some sections that I think may help:

Trauma and the Brain-This section talks about how trauma affects the brain chemistry and possible mental afflictions that may result. The most common is PTSD.

Using Guided Imagery-This I enjoyed reading. I have personally used guided imagery with my second counselor.

There is about a couple of pages dedicated to use of medication. I found this helpful as well. The authors have also taken out the section : Honoring The Truth. There is an expanded resource guide and the section on survivor accounts. There are other little things like more survivor poetry, list and information boxes ect. On a more personal note, I found some things that have inspired future poems about the healing process. If you can, I would encourage everybody to purchase a copy of the book. As my first counselor Carol said to me, "it is the survivor's bible".

New Poetry

This new poem was inspired by an actual event that took place in my life recently. I love drawing inspiration from all sorts of places. I hope everyone enjoys the poem.


Someone In The Crowd



Saw him sitting there in the crowd

For a moment remembered the things he has done; like a thief stole youth’s dreams, innocence and possibility with one touch, the anger, rage and pain, how through the journey the spirit cleans up the mess he made

The moment over, turn and walk away, remember what has been done to live and thrive

In a new life he has no place, no longer a face or a name, now just someone in the crowd

A Must Read For Kids & Parents!

There is a new book out there called My Body Belongs To Me by Jill Starishevsky. It helps children become aware of their bodies and encourages them to tell a parent or teacher when they have been touched inappropriately. I have included the link to the website.

www.mybodybelongstome.com

I would encourage parents and teachers to purchase a copy of this book and use it to educate their children. I have already ordered a copy for myself. When you have time I would encourage everybody to check out the website.

Grandin Gardens

As mentioned in the first post, this year's festival is at the Grandin Gardens in the heart of Virginia. Here are a few pictures that I would like to share with everybody.

I will be posting more pictures in future posts. As you can see the grounds and the interior are quite beautiful! Definite possibilities!