09/27/2024
**Warning: Long post alert! lol** ✨
Advocacy and finding my purpose have been weighing heavily on my mind recently.
Not many people know the background behind my book, *You Can Say No*, so I thought I would take a moment to share it!
In 2019, I was enrolled in a grant writing class as part of my undergraduate social work program. In this class, we were challenged to identify a need in the community and write a grant proposal to address it.
My project was inspired by Judy’s Place for Kids in Pikeville, KY, whose mission statement reads: “A bright solution for abused children - a community working together to promote safety and justice, offering hope and healing so that all may thrive and reach their full potential.”
I aimed to create an advocacy center in my hometown equipped with resources and guidance to help parents and children engage in discussions about difficult topics, such as unwanted touch, safety, and body autonomy. (Thankfully, years later, I discovered that Brave Beginnings is already fulfilling this mission!)
In what started as a lighthearted endeavor, I began to craft rhymes relating to my subject matter, aiming to provide education to youth in a child-friendly manner. Before I knew it, I had written an entire monologue (except for the ending) in just one night of brainstorming!
To provide background, I wrote this the night before an experiential learning trip to Costa Rica, so I was particularly motivated, inspired, and probably a bit sleep-deprived (maybe euphoric lol)! It felt as though a voice was guiding me, and the words and scenarios flowed effortlessly as if they were meant to materialize into something real.
I had never aspired to be an author, but I believe that moment was a seed being planted for both my own growth and the potential to help others.
Fast forward to 2022: with encouragement from my then-boyfriend, now-husband, inspiration from friends, and my new role as a therapist serving youth and families, I completed the book. I really wanted to emphasize that there are trustworthy adults whom children can seek out for help, as that was really important to include. After finalizing the wording, I found an illustrator and published *You Can Say No*! In a funny twist, about a week later, I had to pull the book back and hire a proofreader to fix some spelling errors before republishing it (oops! Just a sign of my excitement, I guess!).
Since then, I have promoted, sold, and given away my book. In doing so, I’ve had meaningful conversations with parents and youth, helping them to feel seen and safe, while also assisting parents and caregivers in discussing unwanted touch with their children.
I've had people reach out to me asking how to write a book (again, not an expert lol but, I’ve been able to empower and inspire them to pursue their own writing dreams!). I’ve received helpful reviews / feedback and have had my book shared in classrooms (one youth even read it to her teacher, and another teacher shows it in her child development class!). I collaborated with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Zanesville to distribute 100 books as part of a sexual abuse prevention initiative.
I’m so thrilled that my book is also a part of the circulation at John McIntire Library! I’ve also received feedback from a client who unknowingly bought the book, stating, “because you said so,” after I asked why she had been telling her teachers “No” in the classroom! She joking added, “Well, you should have written that in the book!”
I've also reached out to professors who have inspired me, sharing my own struggles with childhood sexual abuse and the challenges of discussing sensitive social work topics in class.
I share all of this to express how truly blessed I feel to be in a position to help others, despite my own childhood experiences. It’s incredible to witness the impact of following my calling and bringing an idea to life.
I firmly believe in honoring your heart and pursuing what you believe to be true in making a difference, despite personal fears and setbacks from your inner critic. You may indeed be the answer to someone’s prayers and plant seeds for others without even realizing the impact you’re making.
But I pose this question: When will you stop holding yourself back, circling in your trauma, and begin to make the impactful difference that has been weighing upon your heart?
I am incredibly grateful and excited for what the future holds, both for myself and for those I will continue to impact.
