Cary’s Story
She was the first one to answer my open call — you know, the one where I ask perfect strangers to rip their guts open and offer them up on a steaming, wretched platter for public consumption. Where I ask them to share the most intimate details of what is almost always the most shameful time in their lives, all in the name of theories and public good, in the hopes of somehow, someday, affecting some sort of change.
And she’s terrified.
That so many people are willing to do this blows my mind. That a brand new blog that is not even 24-hours-old yet is nearing 2,000 hits is honestly one of the most humbling feelings I’ve ever experienced. Remarkably, I now have an arsenal of these stories awaiting your eyes and ears, many of them written by bloggers you know, or think you know.
That’s Cary’s point, actually; She writes, “I am just like you.”
Her piece is all I could have hoped for in an opener, and it wasn’t even planned that way. It’s written with a quiet clarity. She has taken each simple sentence like a wooden plank and laid it gently down, one by one, side by side, to form a long, white, quiet, whitewashed dock, the kind you don’t even realize you’re walking, the kind that makes you sit a spell at the end and dangle your feet into the cool, still water.
It’s an exquisite story. To me, the most striking thing about it is that I know this woman. I mean, we’ve never met, but I think you’ll understand after you read it.
So, please. Go read the inaugural survivor story on Violence UnSilenced — Cary’s story — and continue to spread the word.
Nicole says:
I probably don’t fully appreciate the depth of what the new blogs means to you, but I think I have an idea.
Congratulations! Know that you are helping others to recognize that they are not alone, that maybe there is something going on with someone the love, that there is life after all this sh*t.
By dredging something terrible to the surface, you’ve done something wonderful not just for you, but for others.
February 17th, 2009 at 6:48 am
Ashlie- Mommycosm says:
Maggie, what a great site! I’m not surprised that you got so many hits right away. I’m willing to bet most of us have been touched by violence in some way, shape of form…either to ourselves or someone we love. For me, it was my SIL and my ex’s mother. You’re doing a great thing by sharing these stories.
BTW, also love the quick link out of the page. Good thinking;)
February 17th, 2009 at 6:59 am
Mojo says:
Two… thousand?
In the first 24 hours. Two thousand.
Wow. That’s… that’s amazing and wonderful and holy shit I’m just blown away.
I just can’t begin to tell you how proud I am of you and what you’re doing. I’ve already read Cary’s piece and it’s everything you said it is. Exactly right for an inaugural post.
Somebody asked me this morning why this was so important to me. And it wasn’t until then that it really hit me why. We all have a stake in this. Not just those who are or have been victims, but every.single.one.of.us. We all have a dog in this fight because as long as this problem exists we are all at risk. Individually and globally. Because violence begets violence, regardless of what form it takes.
That’s why this is important to me. That’s why it needs to be important to everybody.
So thank you Maggie, from the bottom of my tired old heart… thank you.
February 17th, 2009 at 9:44 am
we_be_toys says:
I’m on my way over to read Cary’s story, but I just wanted to say, I’m not surprised by the inaugural success of the DV site. It’s so much more prevalent than we can really wrap our heads around, and it isn’t going to stop until we’re all paying attention and calling for accountability.
All right, enough – I’m going…!
February 17th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Jewels says:
M-My eyes filled up with tears and poured like broken faucets when I went to the new blog. I was so consumed with emotion. I obviously love this blog and admire you so much. This NEW blog is probably the best thing a person could do with a blog and I want to tell you how utterly PROUD I am of you for doing this. I have forwarded it to the whole rape crisis team and my advocacy groups. It’s amazing how many people you can reach via the internet and I hope that your traffic increases everyday because it’s not just numbers…we know what those numbers mean….
February 17th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Kate says:
Dear Maggie:
The new website is phenomenal. Thank you so much for taking this on. I know this will be successful in helping thousands (maybe millions eventually) of survivors know they are NOT alone and that the stories of abuse are everywhere. We can learn to be strong and to stand up against this beast, especially if we are unified and willing to share our stories.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:05 am
magpie says:
You do good work, you.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Amysprite says:
Amazing. So glad to hear it is off to such a great start. I’m heading over to read her story now.
February 17th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
jen says:
Cary is awesome. I love being a small part of this new venture, this new sitting round the fire.
February 17th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
-T- says:
I’m planning on following the new site. I need to find out everything I can in order to help my teenage daughter who has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and last year revealed to us what happened to her during the summer.
Although I can not speak for her, I am trying to find a way to let her know that she is worthwhile and that she can survive. She is currently receiving treatment to that end as well.
I want to thank all of you for allowing me to get a better insight to what she experienced.
February 18th, 2009 at 8:40 am
justmylife says:
I wish you continued success! I do believe you will help many more people than you ever expected to.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Debbie says:
You’re an angel Maggie. I took the pledge and my prayer list is growing. I’m so proud of you and what you’re doing!
February 20th, 2009 at 12:49 pm