I can't express the YELP that I let out at Shannon's words and her absolute grace in telling her story! You too Matt, thank you both so much and thanks for posting and allowing us to share in the moment.

I am sitting here at my computer with tears streaming down my face. I have never been so proud of anyone in my whole life as I am you and Shannon. I am so very blessed to have you and Shannon and Tonya in my life.

If you could see me right now, you'd see the standing ovation I want to give you! You guys did an amazing job. YAY Shannon! GO Shannon! You rock! You win!

This is only getting better. Tomorrow morning, we are speaking before the entire Steering Committee of the Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. I spoke to them in April (SA Awareness Month, which I journaled about on DS back then), and there wasn't a dry eye in the room after I'd read Shannon's "Letter to Future Survivors." Now they'll get to meet her in person, and each rape crisis center in the state is receiving a copy of RAR.

I remember when you came back from the meeting. I feel like my heart is going to burst out of my chest with pride for the two of you.

ty for sharing this. Its hopeful to hear someone who feels like they are on top of this, not so effecte4d by all of tht any more.

You're doing it! You are absolutely doing what we all hope to do; make a difference. And, is it weird or mean-spirited of me to hope that D*** is out there in your community somewhere SEEING his life falling away one speech at a time?

Perhaps, soon, well just maybe Indiana needs to hear about RAR and the wonderful woman there.

Shay was born to step up, she's a natural. Her voice was, and will be heard. But even more than that, the whole speaking and news, and all....well, the LIFE of Shannon, it is that I applaud the most!!

I just do not have the words to express my pride in you Shannon and also in you Matt! It is just so wonderful to see this work embraced by the media and moving forward into the big meeting this morning! I am just so very proud!!!

And I must say, although I have seen your faces...it was incredibly touching to hear your voices as well and think to myself with pride...'I know these people...we are of the same tribe!'

And that every crisis center in Oklahoma will be getting their own copy of RAR...just passing it along to benefit even more people who are hurting! I believe that one day there will come a time that our tribe will become so very strong in its numbers and its influence (1 out of 4 is a lot of voters) that we will make a significant difference! I am just beaming from ear to ear this morning! Rock On Matt and Shannon!

Wow. This is absolutely amazing! I am so proud of you. This is so powerful. I love your strength Shannon, and I love the words of encouragement that comes from fellow survivors here.

Some feedback in my email today:

Hi! My name is Katina. I am sure you are being overwhelmed with email right now but I hope you get to read this. I am a mother of a beautiful 15 year old girl. She has always been very successful in school, athletics, and sociable. She is our first child. Our life with her has been wonderful. We have always been more strict with her than most parents are. She is not allowed to date until she is 16 ect. During the last school year she started to change. She became very angry with both of us (worse with her dad). Her grades were falling, she could not stand her coach (she previously adored), did not like sports, and claimed to have no friends. That twinkle in her eye was gone. We struggled with her all year not knowing what was wrong. Two weeks ago after finding out about a $2,000 cell phone bill and that she was having a relationship with a girl (18 y/o and abusive) that she finally revealed she was raped. The rape happened at home after school by an acquaintance in Oct 07. Not a close friend just someone she had met through friends. I am a RN in western Oklahoma and I am SANE trained, but I feel completely overwhelmed. I want to help her through this. I did take her for an intake session at scope ministries, but I am not sure if that is the right place. Last night when we watched the report on channel 9 it felt like a answered prayer. I have been looking everywhere for a good resource book on rape. It is really hard to find. It is also hard to search for in the library of a small town. I just wanted to say thank you so much for the work you are doing. We (my husband, daughter, and I) feel so isolated. It gives us hope to see there are people out there trying to make a difference in this area. If you have any suggestions on what our next step should be I would love your input.

Sincerly
Katina


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Matt,

I was very impressed and touched by the News 9 story that ran last night regarding your work with the young rape victim. She is very fortunate to have found you and to be able to work through her trauma to begin the healing process. Thanks for living the mission of INTEGRIS Health. Also, good luck with the sale of your new book. I would be interested in reading it; let me know how I can purchase one.

Thanks again. Bruce

Bruce Lawrence
Executive Vice President and COO | INTEGRIS Health

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Matt�.I saw the clip last night��it was wonderful and you both did a great job��I am hoping your book sales take off and you put on a conference/workshop based on the book�Diane


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I should mention that Shannon got a standing ovation from the State Steering Committee on Sexual Assault Programs this morning. I should have let her tell you that, but she wouldn't mention it on her own, so I'll brag for her. She sat there, stunned...

I am so moved, but this we should have expected. This total response we should have known was coming, because we've been watching it ourselves. Thanks for your selfless sharing, each of you!

BRAVO!!!!! I am so proud Shannon.....you deserved every tiny handclap and ever so more! You are a beautiful work in progress indeed...I am so proud to feel a part of this wonderful tribe that I hold so dear.

Those emails are so touching and I am so very pleased that this work is reaching people! YEAH! That is just what we need is to reach more people that need the help and just might know where to turn! I am just so amped up about this wonderous progress that I may well explode! : )

Thank you all so much. I am working on a better response, I just need a little time. Thank you all

Thank you all so much. I am working on a better response, I just need a little time. Thank you all

More feedback arriving constantly!

From "Just Another Okie" in El Reno, OK:
You are a hero just for telling your story!
The same thing happened to me when I was 16 and I couldn't even bring myself to tell my own mother until I was in my late 20's. I did things, such as drugs, I regret now but then I was self destructive because I hurt so much I just wanted my life to end. I needed help but was too ashamed to get it. Now I see the problems I have to face head on. No matter how much they may hurt now they won't start to heal without getting proper help.
I could have let this eat me up so bad that I could have hurt my children unintentionally by over mothering them. Even though they think I may still, I do keep a watchful eye on them and yet still let go enough to allow them to be kids.
Just remember when you're a mother someday, you can only protect them so much and pray to God to keep them safe so they may never know your pain.
May God be with you always!

From "Proud" in Stillwater:
You are a very strong person, also a hero to many women that has had to face this. Oklahoma loves you, and very proud you made this decision for others to learn and follow. Thanks again!

From Zoey in OKC:
What a brave young woman! I applaud her courage and perseverance. You are an inspiration to young women. Always remember you matter and you are special. Thank you for sharing your story.

Tina in OKC:
I myself have been raped, molested and abused. I have what is called conversion disorder. It is so rare. My doctor recently told me to write a book. My grandmother just emailed me and told me I should look at this. Take courage. Personally I want others to know there is life past abuse. I am a successful woman with a family I am so proud of...I have contacted Oprah Winfrey. If you, being the victim read this, mention us together. We are in the same city.... Let's change the way some, not all, view mental health. Especially from the sexual abuse side of it. This could really help others. Can you see? Please read the post. I would like to go through news 9 for the contacting part for safety purposes. By the way I am so proud of you girl!

From Yellowrose92:
Thank you for sharing. . .this can only be a good thing, not only for the young ladies who have been harmed, but also for the parents, friends, and relatives who may gain insight into symptoms, and the importance of dealing with these symptoms appropriately.

From Okie Survivor in Yukon:
Hey like the others said it takes a lot of courage to tell your story. I too was raped at 16 by 3 guys two I thought were my friends. I am now 25 and still dealing with my issues from the rape. But you see it hasn't just happened once to me its happened a total of three times. The last two I never told anyone about. I didn't want to go threw the court crap like I did at 16. The most painful one and traumatizing one was with the three guys. They damaged parts of me that can't be repaired they beat me so bad the next day I didn't know were I was. The cops questioned me for hours on end because they wanted to see if it would change my story and then I told them the names of the guys and they finally believed me. These guys were dangerous and I didn't even know people warned me about them and I didn't listen.When i went to school that next Monday the whole school already knew because these guys bragged about what they did to me. People at school laughed at me and said they were happy the cheerleader got raped. I still hear that they want to kill me for going to the cops. they are out of jail and it scares me. I have tried to get help but no one has seemed to help me threw it they would rather avoid the subject because its made many therapist I go to cry just hearing my story. I am so sorry that it happened to you but I am thankful that you fought threw this. I have fought threw it on my own and learned to cop with it.
But i won't lie I am still very much struggling with it and hope that one day I will find someone like you did to help me threw it.I am married and my husband has helped me more threw it then anyone but I do still struggle and I run scared I always look over my shoulder and I hate it. Keep staying strong. I will keep you and other rape victims in my prayers.One piece of advise listen to your friends when they tell you someone isn't good for you to be hanging out with. I am very proud of you for being able to show your face on the tv and share your story. Stay strong .

From Tina in OKC:
Wow. The girls. This is so wonderful that we are able to share. Think about it. Each of these posts are from the heart and I absolutely can tell they are genuine. It doesn't sound like anyone here is giving up. Just making sure that they are real and not gullible. What seems to happen is that we just feel so pushed out when it happens. It is not something people know how to deal with. It has happened to me by guys from school, family members, and it just is awful. I have had one recently apologize and acknowledge the affect it has had on me. My stepfather I asked him to write me a letter, tell me why he did it, what was his motive, why it is wrong and what he will do in the future to prevent this from happening again. He still hasn't. I explained to him it will be for him more than me. They get so immersed into sexual desire and that atmosphere, it begins to dictate actions. How sad, really. no, I do not feel sorry. Nor do I want to chum, but these people are ill. It's only by their desire they will get better. That's not my job. jail only does so much. Jail may make them think but they still need to change within. They have so much bad association and they need avenues to improve. It's there but they are still being told, its because it happened when you were younger or others may excuse their behavior. Nope, I don't think so. they need to own up and just accept what they have done or are doing is wrong. But those of us who have been the victims we must be careful. There is something about us they see they want. Perhaps my happy state of mind is attractive, or perhaps others have a darling figure. Be careful how you conduct yourself. We are not better than anyone else, but I have already had 2 other occasions since I have been married, at Wal-Mart in their lot, and at a hotel in Tulsa where I have been sought out as a victim. It's like its on our forehead. The first time I had to yell at the guy to get out of my truck. My heart felt like it was in my throat. The next guy was recently at a hotel. He tried to get me to come by the door and what he didn't know is I heard him call his friend and say to put me in the trunk. Its frightening. I had to get away quick. He looked at me like I was the crazy one. even the receptionist said where that hotel was is in a prostitute area and the guy surely thought I was one. Friends I am far from that. I am a happy loyal wife. My husband now feels like he must be more protective. But as women we must be on guard and not put ourselves in sticky situations. I must say those occasions were not sticky but as a high school girl I was groping to find love in all the wrong places. Honey loves, don't. Please don't. Just learn at school, focus and parents open your eyes wider than they are and tune in as clear as possible to look for signs of promiscuity and an insatiable desire to be liked among peers. That goes deeper. They need something other than that from their peers.

Lets use what happened to us to help others.

Tina

From "Been There Too" in Caldwell, KS:
I am so proud of you for having the courage to face these demons. Rape is very damaging to the emotions as well as to the physical body. God Bless you for your courage and fight. You are in my prayers.

From Minerva in Mustang, OK:
What a brave young women...it's time women stood up and said no more...we will not live in shame....

From "Me Too" in Oklahoma;
I wish that kind of therapy was around 20+ years ago! I applaud the survivor and therapist both!