If You Could See Me Stories

In the finale episode, Kota talks about going back to the house that it all started in, some stories that he missed along the way and some final words for everyone to round out the season and look forward to the things to come. Thanks for Joining us this week!Visit, like, and follow us on social media!Facebook @IYCSMInstagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please contact a professional. If it is not an emergency here are some links that can help you find what you need Psychology today can help connect you with what you need and find a personal therapist that meets your personal needs and goals. Here are some other helpful resources: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7: 1-800-273-8255 National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7: 1-800-656-4673 Center for American Progress Family Acceptance Project — Posters to Build Health FuturesGLAAD GLSEN Human Rights Campaign National LGBTQ Task ForcePFLAG Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) The Trevor Project Transgender Law Center The Williams Institute

This week is our penultimate episode, we hear Kota talking about the now, and his hope for the future. Thanks for Joining us this week!Visit, like, and follow us on social media!Facebook @IYCSMInstagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please contact a professional. If it is not an emergency here are some links that can help you find what you need Psychology today can help connect you with what you need and find a personal therapist that meets your personal needs and goals. Here are some other helpful resources: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7: 1-800-273-8255 National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7: 1-800-656-4673 Center for American Progress Family Acceptance Project — Posters to Build Health FuturesGLAAD GLSEN Human Rights Campaign National LGBTQ Task ForcePFLAG Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) The Trevor Project Transgender Law Center The Williams Institute

With only 2 episodes left and some really heavy hearted conversations over the last few weeks we decided to pop in a rebroadcast of Kota appearing on If You Could See Me Conversations. Enjoy the unfiltered and wonderful conversation with Erin and Kota. We will be back in your ears next week with the next part of Kota's story.Thanks for Joining us this week!Visit, like, and follow us on social media!Facebook @IYCSMInstagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please contact a professional. If it is not an emergency here are some links that can help you find what you need Psychology today can help connect you with what you need and find a personal therapist that meets your personal needs and goals. Here are some other helpful resources: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7: 1-800-273-8255 National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7: 1-800-656-4673 Center for American Progress Family Acceptance Project — Posters to Build Health FuturesGLAAD GLSEN Human Rights Campaign National LGBTQ Task ForcePFLAG Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) The Trevor Project Transgender Law Center The Williams Institute

This week we here about a relationship that lead to a broken engagement. As Kota talks about what it is like living in the world of both/ and. With only 2 episodes left we, hear a very lovely and heart felt message to Kota from someone very special. You aren't gonna want to miss a minute. The referenced RAINN statitics can be found here. https://www.rainn.org/statistics/criminal-justice-system****Trigger warnings **** Suicidal Ideation, Sexual Assult, Gaslighting, Financial and Emotional AbuseThanks for Joining us this week!Visit, like, and follow us on social media!Facebook @IYCSMInstagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please contact a professional. If it is not an emergency here are some links that can help you find what you need Psychology today can help connect you with what you need and find a personal therapist that meets your personal needs and goals. Here are some other helpful resources: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7: 1-800-273-8255 National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7: 1-800-656-4673 Center for American Progress Family Acceptance Project — Posters to Build Health FuturesGLAAD GLSEN Human Rights Campaign National LGBTQ Task ForcePFLAG Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) The Trevor Project Transgender Law Center The Williams Institute

In this weeks Episode Kota discusses the Aftermath of The Philly trip and trying to handle being a victim and surviving the assult. He will discuss how he overcame the lack of support of some of those close to him and how his Mom became an anchor for his survival. ****Trigger warnings **** Suicidal Ideation, Sexual Assult, Gaslighting.Thanks for Joining us this week!Visit, like, and follow us on social media!Facebook @IYCSMInstagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please contact a professional. If it is not an emergency here are some links that can help you find what you need Psychology today can help connect you with what you need and find a personal therapist that meets your personal needs and goals. Here are some other helpful resources: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7: 1-800-273-8255 National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7: 1-800-656-4673 Center for American Progress Family Acceptance Project — Posters to Build Health FuturesGLAAD GLSEN Human Rights Campaign National LGBTQ Task ForcePFLAG Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) The Trevor Project Transgender Law Center The Williams Institute

This week is intense. Kota talks about his last relapse, getting his college degree and both of his sexual assults and the repercussions for him and those around him. Thank you for listening, take care of yourself, and we hope to see you next week.Thanks for Joining us this week!Visit, like, and follow us on social media!Facebook @IYCSMInstagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please contact a professional. If it is not an emergency here are some links that can help you find what you need Psychology today can help connect you with what you need and find a personal therapist that meets your personal needs and goals. Here are some other helpful resources: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7: 1-800-273-8255 National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7: 1-800-656-4673 Center for American Progress Family Acceptance Project — Posters to Build Health FuturesGLAAD GLSEN Human Rights Campaign National LGBTQ Task ForcePFLAG Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) The Trevor Project Transgender Law Center The Williams Institute

This week Kota gets a suprise all his own. The people that mean the most in the world all get together with Erin and discuss many important topics. Among those how to support a friend who is living with suicidal ideation, additiction, and surviving a sexual assult. Kota has lived through all of this and more and come out the other side still smiling. We are a little more than half way through our season and Kota's story. Listen safely!Thanks for Joining us this week!Visit, like, and follow us on social media!Facebook @IYCSMInstagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please contact a professional. If it is not an emergency here are some links that can help you find what you need Psychology today can help connect you with what you need and find a personal therapist that meets your personal needs and goals. Here are some other helpful resources: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7: 1-800-273-8255 National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7: 1-800-656-4673 Center for American Progress Family Acceptance Project — Posters to Build Health FuturesGLAAD GLSEN Human Rights Campaign National LGBTQ Task ForcePFLAG Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) The Trevor Project Transgender Law Center The Williams Institute

Just a few days after his 12th Sober birthday we are here to talk about what its like to find footing in sobriety and holding strong on that with found family and self care. A few of the other materials mentioned in this episdoe are: The book On Earth We're Breifly Georgous by Ocean VuongThe album Sonder by Dermot KennedyThanks for Joining us this week!Visit, like, and follow us on social media!Facebook @IYCSMInstagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please contact a professional. If it is not an emergency here are some links that can help you find what you need Psychology today can help connect you with what you need and find a personal therapist that meets your personal needs and goals. Here are some other helpful resources: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7: 1-800-273-8255 National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7: 1-800-656-4673 Center for American Progress Family Acceptance Project — Posters to Build Health FuturesGLAAD GLSEN Human Rights Campaign National LGBTQ Task ForcePFLAG Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) The Trevor Project Transgender Law Center The Williams Institute

Today, we hear about the getting clean and relapses that Kota faced and what he did to get and stay clean for 11 years and counting. As we continue down the winding path of this inspiring story of Kota vs. Goliath and how he gets to where he is today. Thanks for Joining us this week!Visit, like, and follow us on social media!Facebook @IYCSMInstagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please contact a professional. If it is not an emergency here are some links that can help you find what you need Psychology today can help connect you with what you need and find a personal therapist that meets your personal needs and goals. Here are some other helpful resources. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7: 1-800-273-8255 National Sexual Assault Hotline 24/7: 1-800-656-4673 Center for American Progress Family Acceptance Project — Posters to Build Health FuturesGLAAD GLSEN Human Rights Campaign National LGBTQ Task ForcePFLAG Services & Advocacy for LGBT Elders (SAGE) The Trevor Project Transgender Law Center The Williams Institute

Kota is an amazing survivor and there is so much more to come! This week we take a pause from Kota's narration to lift up what we have heard so far and take a look at how we as a socitey can help others. Ari Laoch joins us and also talks about ways that we can support folx in our lives to, in the end, break the cycle.Here's a little bit about Ari:As a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University's master's program in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling, Ari specializes in providing person-centered interventions for adults identifying within the LGBTQIA+ population, persons with brain injuries, and persons having a substance use diagnosis. He is an advocate for affirming treatment for all persons as well as Civil Rights for all..Here is where you can find more informantion on our souces for the episode:Cultural Humility https://inclusion.uoregon.edu/what-cultural-humility-basicsThanks for Joining us this week!Leave us a review and send a picture and let us know where to send your IYCSM Sticker! Visit, like, and follow us on social media!Facebook @IYCSMInstagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please contact a professional. If it is not an emergency here are some links that can help you find what you need Psychology today can help connect you with what you need and find a personal therapist that meets your personal needs and goals.

This week Kota talks about his battle with addiction and the ramifications it had on him and the relationships in his life. Thanks for hanging in with us as we juggle our everyday struggles and the learning curve of telling this important and insiprational story. Thanks for Joining us this week!Visit, like, and follow us on social media!Facebook @IYCSMInstagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!

Thank you for your patience as we get back on track post covid attacks. This week while we are working away we have a special treat. A rebroadcast of Erin's conversation with Kota, from one of our live broadcasts back in February. Thanks for your patience and understanding as we recover and get the show back on track. Thanks for Joining us this week!Visit, like, and follow us on social media!]Facebook @IYCSMInstagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!If you are experiencing a mental health emergency please contact a professional. If it is not an emergency here are some links that can help you find what you need Psychology today can help connect you with what you need and find a personal therapist that meets your personal needs and goals.

This week Kota discusses more of his life growing up in Prince George. Thing like understanding that he was gay, and what he did to keep it hidden. And even the parties with really expensive party favors and his first time tryng cocaine at 10 years old. This is only the begining of this amazing story of trauma, addition, recovery and life after all of it. Thanks for Joining us this week!Visit, like, and follow us on social media!Facebook @IYCSMInstagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!

This week we meet our next story teller, Kota and lay the ground work for the begining of a story about a child who became an adult int he shadow of statues and symbols, knowing he was different and trying to find a way to hide.it. Stay with us and follow Kota's story through all the challenges and trauma and how he overcame it to be the person we see today!Thanks for Joining us this week!Visit, like, and follow us on social media!Facebook @IYCSMInstagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!

In this finale of Donna's Story (for now) She talks about her dreams, Hopes and some last minute things to keep in mind for yourself, your friends and your loved ones. Join us for: If You Could See Me Presentation of "The Mother Wound" Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/if-you-could-see-me-presents-the-mother-wound-tickets-413694109217?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Donna Johnson Edwards is, in the words of William Shakespeare, small but fierce. She stands just under 5 feet tall and admits to having to shop in the children's section from time to time. In spite of, or maybe because of, her tiny stature, Donna exudes power. She doesn't realize it because her new reality differs so completely from who she was prior to the Traumatic Brain injury she experienced in 2016 that changed her life forever. Her courage and commitment to her healing, the storytelling process, and the honesty of her storytelling is an inspiration. This is her story. This week we hear from Erin, Donna, and some special guests Donna's friend Keith and her Therapist Carrie each with their unique perspective on Donna and her progress in recovery.

Welcome back this is episode 3; Advocacy is not a 4 letter word. In today's jam packed episode you will not only hear Donna talk about the importance of having your own advocates and about being an advocate for others, since her injury. We will hear some really interesting things about advocacy and understand how to advocate from Donna, her therapist, and Erin. Follow and like us, give us a 5 star review and let us know what you think. Learn more and join our mailing list at www.IfYouCouldSeeMe.com for updates!Like and Follow us on facebook @IYCSM, Instagram @theifyoucouldseemeprojectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeI Want to Be a Cheerleader link --> https://www.ifyoucouldseeme.com/plans-pricingIf you're experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911. This content and other content produced by The If You Could See Me Project and affiliated partners is not therapy, not intended to be therapy or to be a replacement for therapy. Nothing in this content creates or indicates a therapeutic relationship. Please consult with your therapist or seek one in your area if you are experiencing mental health symptoms. Nothing in this episode should be construed to be specific life advice. It is for educational and entertainment purposes only.

This week we talk to Donna about the accident that started it all and the events that lead up to the accident. A Doctor who over medicated her, another who underestimated her rationality and the one who made her feel seen.

Donna Johnson Edwards is, in the words of William Shakespeare, small but fierce. She stands just under 5 feet tall and admits to having to shop in the children's section from time to time. In spite of, or maybe because of, her tiny stature, Donna exudes power. She doesn't realize it because her new reality differs so completely from who she was prior to the Traumatic Brain injury she experienced in 2016 that changed her life forever. Her courage and commitment to her healing, the storytelling process, and the honesty of her storytelling is an inspiration. This is her story. I met Donna in 2018 when she became a member of my ReStory personal narrative writing and storytelling group at Life in 10 Minutes, in Richmond, Virginia. She made it known early in the process that she had been referred to the class by her therapist as part of her healing from a traumatic brain injury. Her courage and commitment to her healing, the storytelling process, and the honesty of her storytelling was inspiring and endearing. In 2019, Donna joined the If You Could See Me Project performing her story in our June event that year. Donna's is a story shared by so many who experience disabling conditions or events which alter their mind, body, and probably more than anything their sense of who they are, their value in the world, and often leaving them scrambling to find the appropriate resources and support to return to functioning. Donna's ability to talk about her experience and to advocate for herself and others, is a reflection of her fierce resilience.Disclaimer: This story is for entertainment purposes only. If you or someone you love is experiencing the effects of any medical or mental health condition, please seek medical attention. This series is not intended as medical or therapeutic advice and should not replace the engagement of a medical or mental health professional.

In today's episode Erin speaks with James E. Bullard about asking the universe for what you need, finding joy and the meaning of sequins in the shower drain. Join us for some great insight and a lot of laughs.

Donna Johnson Edwards is, in the words of William Shakespeare, small but fierce. She stands just under 5 feet tall and admits to having to shop in the children's section from time to time. In spite of, or maybe because of, her tiny stature, Donna exudes power. She doesn't realize it because her new reality differs so completely from who she was prior to that fateful series of events in 2016 that changed her life forever. I met Donna in 2018 when she became a member of my ReStory personal narrative writing and storytelling group at Life in 10 Minutes, in Richmond, Virginia. She made it known early in the process that she had been referred to the class by her therapist as part of her healing from a traumatic brain injury. Her courage and commitment to her healing, the storytelling process, and the honesty of her storytelling was inspiring and endearing. In 2019, Donna joined the If You Could See Me Project performing her story in our June event that year. Hers is a story shared by so many who experience disabling conditions or events which alter their mind, body, and probably more than anything their sense of who they are, their value in the world, and often leaving them scrambling to find the appropriate resources and support to return to functioning. Donna's ability to talk about her experience is a reflection of her fierce, resilience which is reflected in every aspect of her life and her history.

Today Erin takes a moment as we wind down our first season to look inward at not only what this experience has meant to her, but how she grew from it also.

This week Erin takes a deep breath and talks about something for the first time in 27 years.

Today Erin rounds out the interviews her parents about their experience. The phone call that no parent ever wants to get "there has been an accident", showing up to the school to see a helicopter air lifting their daughter and what the aftermath of that was form their perspective.

This week, Erin has an emotional talk with IYCSM Family member and first responder Melissa Earley. Who helps shine a light on everything from the mechanics of the first responders to why things we do make a difference.

This week Erin Speaks with Jean Lynch a retired Teacher, turned principal. They talk about the changes in the schools system for handling trauma then and now as well as so much more about education, and the differences children faced both then and now.

This episode Erin speaks with Namita. She is the young woman who watched the debauchery of November 1st, 1994 and had the presence of mind to call 911. She is part of the reason that Erin is here and able to tell this story. Thank you Namita, then and now.

Today Erin Talks with JOHN RICHARDSON-LAUVE a specialist in Micro and Macro Trauma Training. Erin looks inward about where the trauma started for herself and the baseline of the relationship between trust and trauma. John will help Erin look at how people could have helped her to over come the trauma that she experienced, and what we can do to help those in our lives.

The If You Could See Me Project is about taking shame off the table and bringing your whole self to your life. Well in 2019 things changed for us as they did for the rest of the world, and we had to find new ways to reach those goals. After taking some time to re-envision and plan our Erin, our anxious leader and founder of The If You Could See Me Project, has found a new way to help people tell their stories. Even if you don't want to tell your story you can listen and feel comfortable in knowing you are not alone. It All Started With… A Broken Pelvis, is the first season in what we hope will be a long series of stories. Erin is telling her story first, to learn how it works and because she would never ask something of anyone that she wouldn't do herself. So, tune in every Monday for a new episode of It All Started With… Check out our other podcastsHealthy Minds in Media, Therapist's Corner, and of course, Coffee and Conversations. Visit, like, and follow us on social media! FacebookInstagramJoin our Patreon: The If You Could See Me ProjectTiktok @ifyoucouldseemeLearn more about the movement at our website!