Mike DomitrzPresident, Author, and Speaker on Respect, The Center for Respect, Inc. · Author & Speaker on Respect for Schools, Corporations, & the Military since 1990 (has reached

Every survivor has strength and courage within them.

9 Oct 2023 · 1 min

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In this personal testimony, the speaker recounts a phone conversation with his mother and Sherri, who had been raped four hours earlier. While the speaker worries about saying the right words to support Sherri, she immediately asks how she can help and offers assistance, demonstrating unexpected compassion and resilience. This interaction leads the speaker to recognize Sherri’s strong, courageous character and to conclude that every survivor possesses inner strength and courage, highlighting the importance of supportive communication and the inherent resilience of trauma survivors.

Chapters

Well, when I was on the phone with my mom, I didn't know it, Sherri was home. Sherri was getting on the phone, my mom told me. And I'm like, oh my gosh, I gotta say the right words. I gotta let Sherri know that I'm here for her. I gotta let Sherri know how much I love her. And I'm sitting there going, how do I say the right words? And Sherri spoke first. Sherri said, Hey Mike, how you doing? Hey, anything I can do to help? 4 hours after she was raped, and she's asking me what she can do to help? That's amazing. I got off that phone, I instantly knew I was sitting with a strong, courageous individual. What I would later learn is that every survivor has strength and courage within them.