We have a Blogoversary coming up! November marks one full year from the time we began this dynamic community. One faithful day, I sat down with the amazing Lisa Flowers of Flowers Media Matters to discuss ways to seek out recourse for the traumatic birth I encountered in 2011. Naturally, she said, "Well, why don't you blog about it?"
So, I begrudgingly did so and boy, I couldn't have even fathomed how huge this would truly turn! I'm so grateful to her, our community, the professionals and peers I have met along the way and above all, God for putting me on this path! Here we are, a year later.
That's exactly what I want to know! At the advice of fellow blogger, Cristi of Motherhood Unadorned, I have a project just for you! I would love to see more posts of healing or thanks, that's your job! Every Birth Trauma Survivor, myself included, that I've met has gone through a period of despair, hopelessness, no one understands, there's no hope for healing, etc. You get the drift. That sounds harsh, but it's true. And it's our job to lift these souls back up, brush off the dust and tell them it will be okay. It sucks for now, but you're not alone and we're going to help you through this! Your Assignment: Be a Ray of Hope Your Task: Send us a photo, blurb, poem, artwork, song or blog post (stories) Send one, or send all! Send whatever you would like to offer up as a Ray of Hope for another Birth Trauma Survivor. These items can include the answers to questions such as:
Be a Ray of Hope submissions will be featured during the month of November (in the spirit of thankfulness as it is close to Thanksgiving for those of us in the United States), particularly during our Blogoversary which will be celebrated the week of Sun. Nov. 10 through Sat. Nov. 16! They will be placed on the website permanently so when new survivors find us, they will hopefully be able to find the hope they need to begin their journey. We will also have special guests during social media chats and of course, that special, top-secret announcement or two! Please send submissions to [email protected] or through Facebook. Much love and many smooches (AND BROWNIES) from me, Momma Trauma. You all amaze me everyday!
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My daughter is a huge reason why I push forward and do anything in my power to change how women are viewed and treated, specifically in healthcare but obviously the problem persists across the board. She is the key. She is why I am here, blogging, bearing it all. I want her to be strong and to know she is always beautiful in my eyes. I want to help her empower herself to be anything she desires, and boy is she already showing her independent streak! I want her to know that she doesn't have to take nonsense from anyone. Today is the International Day of the Girl. Today is her day, and although she doesn't realize it yet, I will celebrate it for her. Did you know Certified Professional Midwives are not just Pregnancy/labor related care providers? They also offer crucial well-woman care to any woman, young and old. Did you know they are still illegal in some areas? If you follow this blog, you probably know they are illegal in Delaware, hopefully that will change very soon. I fight this battle for my daughter, for girls across the globe. Not so that she HAS to have a CPM when she is old enough, but so she has the choice to do so. One day soon (in ten years or so!), she will be old enough to need that service and to make her own decisions about her body and healthcare with my guidance. I want her to have that opportunity. I don't want her to be "stuck." I want her to have respectful and evidence based healthcare. I want our daughter to see that mommy did everything in her power to remain strong, even when she was weak. I want her to see that it's not always about just one person. It's about a world FULL of women who care a whole heck of a lot, and we know that girls, our young women, hold the keys to a brighter future. I want her to know it's okay to be broken, but also that so much wonderfulness comes out of that brokenness! Girls, this day is for you. Don't ever let anyone hold you back from the things you deserve in this life: Safety, Health, Education, Prosperity, Life itself. Hold your true self close and dear to you, it is yours to keep. Treasure it. Are you celebrating the International Day of the Girl? Have you read the Girls' Declaration? (you should, it's inspirational!) Read the declaration to be delivered to the UN today, here!
http://www.girleffect.org/2015-beyond/the-declaration/ Miriam. Chances are we've all heard this name by now, dare I say it was even a household name for a day or two. Miriam. If you've seen her photos, you might say she was an attractive, happy, fun loving young mother with many years ahead of her! But, something wasn't right. Knowing that something isn't really our place and speculation of exactly what diagnosis she had abounds. What we can accurately say is that this mom, Miriam, needed help. The world is looking at Miriam as it has looked at mass shooters, bombers, and others who created mass havoc within seconds. "What is going on...?" quickly turned into, "Who in the world would do this?" which moved on to, "How dare she/he? I'm glad they shot her/him. Get this crazy off the streets!" Most who, unfortunately, find themselves in the national spotlight for dangerous, if not deadly, acts have had a mental illness of some degree. Miriam is no different. The world is talking about one Miriam. I know there are so many more. Miriam's who can't ask for help, who are afraid to be outcast into the land-of-crazy when they admit to someone they need help. Miriam's who don't even realize they need help. I was that kind of Miriam for a while. I thought I was just a sappy new mom who didn't want to have sex. That quickly turned into something much more with full blown PTSD attacks and depression that would lead me to suicidal thoughts. Looking back, I realize that I exhibited signs of what I was going through and wish others have recognized then at the time. Learn these signs, they could save the life of your loved ones. Like Miriam. In her case, her husband did recognize the signs and called for helped when their little one was only a few months old. She was being helped by a therapist. But Miriam needed help in that moment, as she was getting into the car with her baby. A friend, partner, family member, even a neighbor. Someone close enough to know her even just a little, someone she could have confided in or could recognize that something was wrong. Miriam needed help, not stigma. As do so many others. I am the face of postpartum depression and PTSD. I am a Miriam. What is your wish for World Mental Health Day? What are your doing to help break down barriers and stigma?
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AuthorWelcome to Momma Trauma's Blog! Thoughts, empowering posts and stories straight from Momma Trauma herself, Birth Trauma families & birth professionals. Archives
July 2015
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