Today I Helped Stop A Mugger

[Oberons Wife]

Today out shopping a man mugged a young woman, and a second man chased after him and tackled him to the ground and held him in a headlock. Lots of passer bys stood in a circle. But the two men were struggling and I was worried someone was going to get badly hurt. So I sat on the muggers legs. And told another woman to take over one leg as it was tricky. In this way three of us held the mugger until the Police arrived.

When the police arrived they asked my phone number, but because of the stress I couldn't remember it.
But I am happy with how well I coped. My ptsd is due to violence in my personal life and I couldn't bear it when I was hit is public and no-one did anything about it. Today three people stopped this guy. And whilst I was stressed I did cope. I didn't cry till I got home. And the young woman involved knows there are people who will look out for her.

I'm feeling that I must be getting better.

 

[Abrasky]

wow, way to go! I'm sure that woman that was mugged was greatful. Amazing you could do that and not freeze.

 

[Marie E.]

Oberons, great job. Give yourself a pat on the back!

 

[maddog]

You ggo get em, great job!

Yay for power to the people!

Maddog

 

[Oberons Wife]

Thank you. I really am so delighted that I did something like this.

When people shout I shrink and run away because I expect to get hit.

I know I took my time with this and was aware of my thinking (great leaf excercise in mindfulness therapy). First of all I looked at what was happening. I saw the risk of both of the men getting hurt, and of the mugger getting away. I stood right infront of the mugger as he's held on the floor and told him he hadn't a hope of getting past so many people and should stop struggling. When he didn't stop I sat on him, knowing he might hit me, but I decided that wouldn't make me feel bad as it had nothing to do with me being me, only what I was doing.

I guess being hit by a mugger is different to being hit by someone who's supposed to love you. But nevertheless, even though I got the wobbles, I'm feeling I can be brave afterall. :)

 

[Meadowsweet]

Wow, I'm very very impressed. You take care of yourself and give yourself a big treat for being so ready. (((:))))

 

[maddog]

You know, I think those of us who have endured extreme violence, most particularly with the double wammy of betrayal owing to it being dished out by someone who is supposed to care for us, actually lose sight of the courage and resilience that underlie our ability to live through that. We spend so much time feeling fear and distress and disempowerment, and understandably so, that it's easy to forget that actually we've done and gone through more than most people ever will.

And it's in crises such as yours that this inner courage and solidarity shine through.

There's not much good that comes of trauma and abuse, but if there's anything, it's the fact that it brings out courage in us that rise and rise in the face of adversity.

So take a moment to not be shocked, even pleasantly so, by your courage... take a moment to say "this is me, and I am strong, always!!!"

Maddog

 

[Oberons Wife]

I think it's not the physical pain I find frightening, it's the way the violence makes you think about yourself. So if this guy had hit me, I would have still felt pleased that I'd tried to help the woman. So my identity would be enhanced not shattered.
Thank you all for your support.

 

[Eleanor]

WAY TO BE! Perhaps (if there is a next time) you will have four or five others sitting on appendages with you! You are awesome. The world needs more thoughtful, responsive, response-able people like YOU! You are officially my hero for today. :):tup:

 

[The Albatross]

Yay Oberons Wife... glad you had an eye out for the safety of others and took a bite out of crime.