Why should "I" Care?

Why should "I" Care?

My husband asked me the other day, why I care about Mandie Safe Haven.  It was not quite a rhetorical question, but one to provoke me into relaying a message of why I do what I do. I do this out of LOVE and FEAR; let me explain. I love helping people, sometimes more than I should; giving them the opportunity to to accept my advice. Yet, I fear for those who aren't able to get the help they need...many times they don't recognize or realize that help is available.

This is the main reason for creating my blog. It is my mission to reach out to as many people as possible and educate them to understand their pain; by confronting their fears and overcoming the abuse they endured. 

It took me a while to conquer my demons before I could move forward and help others who experienced pain. I was in my mid-thirties before realizing that I was not alone in my predicament of suffering.  As a child growing up, I was scared to confront my attacker(s), much less let others know about the sexual abuse.

I was petrified to shower in gym class, due to thinking others could see what was done to me and humiliate me.  It wasn't until I was 15, before divulging this information to my male counselor.  He ridiculed me, saying I was lying about my adoptive parents.  I was being scolded for telling the truth, which was extremely hurtful, knowing a professional adult didn't believe me.  Then again I thought why should he, I had been seeing him for almost 4 years, and never hinted about any abuse.  I tried telling him, I was too scared of the repercussions that would befall me had I spoken out sooner.

I learned that bad things can happen to you, and no one is around to help.  As conflicting as this was, I still kept struggling to survive the beatings and sexual abuse. "No good deed goes unpunished," was to be my mantra for injustice. 

My fear is for the millions of women having experienced what I went through.  I want the world to know that there is help available and many organizations willing to risk helping you. I realize I stated women, but men who also have been there; WE are here to help everyone!!

I recently watched a video about self-love. As I watched it, there is things I could relate to.  Things I too have to work on to become the best me possible. 

Prayers,

Mandie