Los Angeles, CA USA

"PATHS" NEW BEGINNING

Photography by NELLIEANNA H.HAY
Poet,Photographer: Friend of Survivors with TBI/ABI

This page is a tribute to Individuals and Centers that crossed our path in a journey of survival and empowering us to now extend a hand of support to all those echoes of cries unheard that face domestic violence.

To reach a soul, whose spirit may have been broken due to abuse in any form is to know that advocacy and awarenss is the key to empowering the mind, heart and soul to regain and relearn: DIGNITY, SELF RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE. Tools that cut the chains of fear.

TOBY EDMONDSON

Click here for Inspirational Writings by Toby whose compassion and understanding were the essence of my motivation to set my soul free.

MARK SHERRY

A soul that set others free with his love, passion and advocacy on their behalf: Mark Sherry, survivor of traumatic brain injury, musical play writer, song writer and a dear friend.

His remarkable compassion,understanding and outreach towards survivors of Domestic Violence, thru his studies, writings and research in Australia. An individual works, compassion and advocacy that crossed continents and touched our soul.

A courageous,caring,loving and extremely intelligent individual that reached out to those that survived or struggled with any and all issues of Domestic Violence, thus his passion for his work as a researcher and advocate on behalf of surivors of TBI/BI dealing with domestic violence. An extraordinare man, A man with a heart of Gold, with severe physical pain and limitations yet his love of life could be felt among those that have come to know and love him. (Pearl)

Mark Sherry's Story

Echoes of Cries Unheard

"My hope is to reach souls that have experienced domestic violence and to bring awareness to those that may be instrumental in freeing loved ones from such an environment.

Advocacy for those reaching out: Silent Voices that somehow go unheard.

Sharing stories and writings is one of many methods used to bring awareness of the complex issues that must be overcome individually and to empower broken spirits
that face domestic violence daily.

We are not helpless victims, we are survivors, warriors seems to be the appropriate terminology in a war zone called "home" as we strive to stay alive and mentally deal with deep wounds.

As there is variety in life, so is each individual circumstance. Understanding and approaching a person facing domestic violence keeping in mind that though there are similar patterns and cycles of domestic violence, each is unique, a factor that at times is forgotten or ignored.

As survivors we can learn to utilize our warrior spirits we have applied to survive towards the ability to set our selves free from controlling and abusive individuals.

Upon reaching that point in our lives, we thus must continue to protect ourselves and relearn ways to recognize similar characteristics in other relationships. A behavioral pattern many of us have known for years, yet it must be replaced by new healthy patterns to feel life and love as exists outside domestic violence.

But the most wonderful understanding shared with me by a dear friend was:

LET GO of the Past and the Pain of the ones that injured us.

Not all human beings are abusive as those that entrapped us and thus learning to Trust is the most challenging endeavor we will undertake. Once we reach that point, paths open up that we never knew existed.

Loving and kind souls embrace us to feel warmth and love that is geniune, like balm applied to heal our wounds and scars.

New Paths, New Joys, A life free set free."

Pearl
5/20/02
Copyright:Pearl,M.S.

Janice "Blu"

"Excerpts from Janice "Blu's" journal days before her motor vehicle accident on 12/4/97.

11/27/97
"Getting a little of my brain back day by day and getting my way, the way I'm used to living ".

I wish I could get back at least a mile back, but instead it's an inch.

Walking backwards on a path to the point I feel is the original 'fork' in the road. It's kind of sad and funny at the same time.

I remember back when, at a time when nothing could or would phase my numbness and now I can feel the jackals all around waiting. The good thing is their just waiting for me to trip and fall instead of dying. But with this in mind, my tendency to be defensive and bitter is simpler than a trivial observation at someone or something, like it used to be.

Hopefully, it is at that 'Fork'. Realized how quickly some people seem to clasp on and become one with what was not made for them. "Consumption of the Inconsumable".

12/2/97 TUESDAY
"All objectives have been met.

While my work is left behind, a small reward for every goal or set guideline achieved.

Achieved is the PLAN.

My PLAN is the Contrary for the mere fact of the genius idea of CONTRADICTION."

12/3/97 WEDNESDAY
"Fueled by positive, when a goal/a chip falls. Realized that (previous) phases are now complete. The urge or any hint of that scene is gone. I must embed that boundary that symbol that represents completion of a phase. That destructive phase. Still face the elements that are trying to break me. That old trick or treat scene. 'Damned if don't, damned if I did', type of statement lingers."

THE INCH EVERY DAY IS THE ONLY WAY I KEEP AHEAD NOW.

12/4/97 THURSDAY 7:00PM JANICE BLU suffered Traumatic Brain Injury by Motor Vehicle Accident as a backseat passenger without a seatbelt.

"Katie"

Click on Link above for "Katie's" heartwarming story of her endurance, perseverance, and determination to survive not only as a truamatic brain injury survivor, but as an individual who's ability to face tremendous challenges to this day, has not stop her from moving forward. Her story is one that reaches deep down within our soul and be motivated and encouraged to never stop living no matter what challenges we may face.

Katie, an incredible strong woman of whom many of us have come to know, admire and respect. Outstanding love for her children is the beauty within her soul.

Mother to an autistic child and her other two children have post truamatic syndrome. A courageous woman who advocates for her children with learning disabilities and shares her experience and knowledge with others to empower them to seek special educational needs in the school systems.

Despite her challenges "Katie" has made the best of circumstances and has become an entreprenuer, small business owner of:

"Edith's Typing Service"

An incredible accomplishement!