From Tracie: The Movie That Changed My Life

Monday, April 12, 2010

The Movie That Changed My Life

I am very open about being a sexual abuse survivor and talking about the abuse and all that I have gone through, but this wasn't always the case.  I used to live in denial, shame and fear...then I saw something that inspired me...

It was six years ago that I first heard about Angela Shelton.  She traveled across the county to meet all the women who shared her name as a fun way to interview women in America....what she found was that 28 out of 40 Angela Sheltons had been either raped, beaten or molested.  On her journey the she met an Angela Shelton who tracks sexual predators and lives in the same town as the filmmaker Angels Shelon's father, who sexually abused her and her siblings for years.  Watching this movie inspired me to admit the sexual abuse I survived as a child and start healing.  The support I have received from the Army of Angels has changed my life.  I have learned to search for joy in every moment!

Searching for Angela Shelton quickly changed from being just another documentary to being a movement of healing for abuse survivors.  In the years since, Angela has spoken in Congress, universities, military bases, high schools, community centers, conferences and seminars worldwide....spreading her message of healing.

Through all those speaking engagements and hearing from thousands of abuse survivors, Angela began to understand that trauma is like a sword you are carrying around inside of you.  She started having Removing the Sword of Trauma Events and wrote the Warrior Workbook.  It is for survivors who want to move past the pain and find healing and joy.
What I am really excited about is the SAAM Educational Package -  The Army of Angels Surviving Abuse Awareness Method Educational Package. You get all of Angela Shelton’s materials! This is a great resource for educators, therapists, advocates and survivors. You can visit Angela Shelton's store for more information about this package and all of her teaching materials.  Be warned, it will change your life.  I know it sure changed mine......and I am very thankful!

16 comments:

  1. Well isn't it odd how God works things out. As a sexual abuse survivor myself I know how hard healing can be. I may have to look up that package..A movie that changed my life is Woman thou art Loosed by TD Jakes. The book is also awesome and I have read and reread along with handing copies out to fellow survivors.

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  2. I have a friend that could use this information. I'll be passing the link on to her. I hope others that need help find this information. You're doing a good thing.

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  3. I actually never knew the whole origin of the Angela Shelton thing- thanks for sharing!

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  4. Very cool stuff.

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  5. How interesting! I'm going to check that out.

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  6. It is amazing to me how powerful movies and books can be in our lives.

    Kudos to you for speaking your truth.

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  7. My sister was raped when she was younger. I wonder if she's heard of this. I'll have to pass along the word. Thank you for being so open!

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  8. I will have to look into this Tracie. Thanks so much for sharing my sweet blogging friend!

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  9. I think it's great that you are sharing this with others and are able to deal with it now. I'm so sorry to hear that you have ever had to go through anything like this. I hope that you find healing within. Kudos to you though for opening up and sharing this with others. You may have just helped someone else that was going through the same feelings as you.
    ((HUGS!))

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  10. sounds like a huge help for those in similar circumstances. Thanks for stopping by my blog today and adding your thoughts :)

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  11. I saw that documentary too and was very moved by it. It shows how our creativity and making art can be therapeutic. I can]t get over how many with the same name were living parallel lives. Are those the odds? Is it really that common, I wonder.

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  12. I was just introduced to your blog and I am so impressed with your honesty. I am always surprised by the amount of women who have experienced rape or abuse. I myself was raped as a teenager and still keep the secret with me. A few close friends know about the experience, and I am only posting it here because I don't know any of you personally. I wanted you to know that I admire your strength to speak out and talk about your experiences.

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  13. I think it is amazing how open you are, thank you for passing this information on to people who could really need it :)

    Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest

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