National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
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NAASCA Highlights
EDITOR'S NOTE: Occasionally we bring you articles from local newspapers, web sites and other sources that constitute but a small percentage of the information available to those who are interested in the issues of child abuse and recovery from it.
We present articles such as this simply as a convenience to our readership ...
July 14, 2011 -- Tonight's special guest Michael Skinner has many credits, among them musician, singer, songwriter .. and child abuse advocate. The 'Surviving Spirit' non profit (see: www.SurvivingSpirit.com) stresses "Healing the Heart Through the Creative Arts, Education & Advocacy." Michael says, "I deal with complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression (major at times), severe back problems and mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). My health concerns are the result of childhood and teenaged years filled with the pain and the suffering by severe and protracted sexual, physical and emotional abuse from my parents and many of their friends." Later labeled 'mentally ill', he concludes, "Through the 'Surviving Spirit' [non profit] I hope to be a part in the change in addressing and eradicating the stigma and discrimination that so many survivors of trauma, abuse and mental health concerns face every day." We'll feature several pieces of Michael's music on tonight's show.
Here's a recent article posted at Boys & Men Healing from Sexual Abuse/Big Voice Pictures website:
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Mike Skinner-Singer/Songwriter/Advocate and Founder of Surviving Spirit
Mikes' beautiful song, Brush Away Your Tears , a song he wrote for those hurt as children, is featured Boys and Men Healing film as the credits roll after the film. His live performance below is testimony to the transcendent power and beauty of his music, and the impact his music has in reaching millions of those abused as children.
Mike's words below about healing, acceptance and love, convey the raw truth of the sexual abuse he experienced as a child. Yet, his creative voice, advocacy and music clearly tells another story--a story of hope, healing, reclaiming life, and going on to help others. Our belief is that silence, denying, or minimizing child sexual abuse is detrimental to the individual and society. Mike not only speaks boldly about what happened to him as a child, but as a phoenix rising from the ashes, he creates truly beautiful music that will endure and touch millions.
ACCEPTANCE, HEALING & LOVE by Mike Skinner
I think that most people in the world who have suffered through any kind of debilitating trauma and abuse would certainly welcome having Acceptance, Healing & Love in their respective lives. Unfortunately, for far too many, that is not the case; I know from my own experiences and that of so many others that all too often we are left on our own and for the most part we can be shunned, ostracized and cut off by society or the respective community we long to be a part of. Those who have known the pains and horrors of child abuse in all of its forms know this all too well. And should you have the misfortune to have been sexually abused as a child or a young teen – well…that only compounds the dilemma of trying to “fit in”.
My physical, emotional and sexual abuse coupled with psychological terror came at the hands of both of my parents and many of their perverted friends – male and female adults who did deplorable and despicable acts upon young children that they should have been arrested for. I think for myself though, the simple fact that my parents did not accept me as a human being, as their son who had so many bright and shining qualities and gifts to share with them and the world has done a number on my psyche that still is part of my very core. As a young boy the realization that my parents did not love me, but in fact hated me, left a profound mark upon me. Trying to find acceptance, healing and love has been a life-long journey for me because of that simple realization.
I have come to believe that we do need acceptance and love from those around us in order to heal – yes, we can do many things, good things to help facilitate the healing process from childhood traumas – but we really can't do that in solitude. Sadly, for so many of us who are survivors, the trust that was broken repeatedly only makes the healing journey harder to embark upon – especially when the messages of not being accepted, whether overtly or subtlety and being told to stay quiet about our abuse; well….once again we learn the message that we don't belong.
We have a long way to go in erasing the stigma and the discrimination that impacts the lives of those who have been sexually abused. It is indeed an uphill battle to get society to stop ignoring what is and has happened to children. That is one fight or battle we face – but within our own community we still have great areas of stigma, discrimination and non-acceptance from fellow survivors. There are indeed some wonderful people and organizations doing great things out there…but there are many who also shun & ostracize their fellow survivors. That non-acceptance needs to stop, because it is a shameful and crippling hurt upon those who have already suffered enough and it is wrong.
In my own little way of trying to be a part of the solution and not the problem, I decided many years ago to speak out and sing out publicly – there has been a price for that openness; it is what it is. You can learn some more about my advocacy endeavors by visiting the website of the Surviving Spirit, a nonprofit I have created to help those impacted by trauma, abuse and mental health concerns at Surviving Spirt. We also send out a monthly newsletter that shares information and resources on fellow survivors and organizations who are doing some wonderful things in their efforts to help others. And please visit my own website [soon to be upgraded & updated]. Both of these sites share lots of great resources and information for hope, healing and help - and you can hear songs off of my three album releases.
