Allan,

Thanks for posting the link.

TJ Jeff,

I missed meeting you. I was there - I am in the white pants, tan shirt and cowboy boots - but was NOT interviewed.

It is an honor and joyous to be one of the "team Minnesota". Allan got the team to be seen and heard locally as he made contact with the local TV station and he got them to move there viewing of us to a more central location so all of us had the opportunity to be seen.

Team Minnesota consists of at least a couple dozen men who have been a group session.

Donnie

messed up the post reposted

got this in my email first thing this morning , this came from a guy that i use his trucking company to move some of the freight at my job as i am a shipping manager. it is a blessing and an honor that he felt that he could tell some one this for the first time . i have only met this guy one time and i think that this is so cool this is really working guys , this is the 3rd time some one has opened up to me about abuse . mission is being accomplished .










Good Morning Nathan
Marcy forwarded me your article from the Kansas City paper. I salute your courage for coming forward. Very compelling story.
There are tons of kids that get abused.....I have never told anyone but I was the younger of neighborhood kids and had my moments too. It never really bothered me because it was just a 10 year old boy and it only happened once...still , it's my little dark secret---I am sure your courage and the show will help others deal with their feelings of shame over abuse.
Take care my friend.

So many will have the courage to stand up and face these dark secrets. It was worth the emotional rollercoaster I experienced to do this. That's so awesome Nathan. There is no better gift we can give ourselves than becoming more conscious and aware in freedom.

This show was the topic of conversation at the Thanksgiving dinner I was at today.

My experience of "running" from family in shame is over. I can talk freely about the affects from the abuse.

I asked one of gals that was there if she had seen the Oprah show. That was the beginning of a 3 hr conversation. There was one woman and 5 men present.

I give myself and all who want to talk about this the power.

I was shaking - really physically shaking. I just took slow deep breaths. I was the one who was asked questions of. I did not go into details just talked about the awful feelings.

I stated the show for me was about "no more shame". I stated this my stomach was churning and the muscles in my body tensed up.

I made a fool of myself. I opened my big mouth. I go back and forth - do I tell or don''t I. I feel like crap.

Donnie

You were brave to speak out, Donnie. I think you do yourself a disservice to sell that bravery so short. We make the world we want real by creating it one statement and one act at a time.

It's also an act of hope and that is pretty damned great in my book.

-efm

EFM,

I am not sure why I felt so "terrible" - less than the rest of the group.

Does anyone go through as they share more publicly?

Donnie

I will just keep my mouth shut next time.

I was there fear that some child would not be reached made me go. I felt vulnerable and comforted then. Opened up all my wounds but worth it to try to make a difference. Kept quiet for 38 years in shame that was misplaced in blame that was misplaced. I am still an open wound that is healing myself with resources online and Private therapy. Starting a peer to peer group here in Cambridge is my effort to give back after recieving such a gift from Oprah. Also an Admin on Facebook Oprah's Echo. I want to give back. People have opened up to me about their own csa since Oprah one I met looking for a location for the group I am starting.