Sufferer I Am A Survivor Of A School Shooting

[intothelight]

Welcome and congratulations on finishing your degree!!

 

[a3a2]

Dear carharjo,

As a teacher, the words "school shooting" make my blood run cold. I can think of nothing more terrifying. I am so glad you survived, and can understand why you are struggling. I wish you well on your healing journey.

 

[sarafina]

Its okay, Sarafina, I do not mind. My mom is very much like you. She has been very adamant about me expressing things, especially to her. She also was very affected by the shooting, but deals with it in a different way than I do. As much as there have been times when I felt she was pushing me too hard, I have learned to appreciate that she is doing it out of love. Maybe if you are going to show her, do it in a way that is more "hands-off". For example, instead of asking her to read it, just put it on her desk and mention you have put something there for her to consider. It can be quite overwhelming to feel pressured to talk about something, but to know that there are others out there may be helpful. But let her come to it on her own, that is the most important thing.

I have had a falling out with the Dawson shooting survivor daughter, not that she was physically present to the degree that you were. She is non-communicative and I am respecting her wishes not to have a relationship for awhile. I hope in time she will contact me. Meanwhile my other daughter was kettled and arrested as part of a police brutality protest back in March so now I am keeping a watch to see if she develops any PTSD like symptoms later. Neither daughter likes to talk about traumas of the past.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[sarafina]

I hope in time she will contact me. .

This is an update : My older daughter has re-established contact. The younger one who was also arrested seems to not have any trauma symptoms and GOOD NEWS my post-trauma support group has finally started and it is a good group and I am glad to finally meet some others who have experienced the same type of trauma and to heal from it in a collective way. My symptoms have diminished a lot but I still get nervous bathing as I have this idea that riot police will bust in suddenly and it feels real even though it is not true. Everytime I see a police car I have to check what station it is from, I never used to notice these things.