Inside Scoop & Trigger Warning: The first annual Canadian Women’s Warrior Retreat is being held this spring. It was designed to help sexual assault survivors stand tall and fight together. The following post contains a graphic story that may cause triggering feelings. This post also contains more information on how you can join or contribute to this inspiring event. 

“Your life is your story. Write Well. Edit Often.” – Susan Statham

It was a beautiful sunny day, and I was helping my mum with laundry. We had run out of detergent, and as I was old enough to make it to the store on my own (it was just a couple of minutes away). So, my mum sent me to pick up a bag while she continued with the housework.

I got to the store, and was told that there’s none available in the front and we had to go to the warehouse. The store owners were our neighbors. My parents knew them. I knew them, and I knew the older man that was helping me (he was the father of the owner).

So, even as a 7-year-old, I didn’t feel that there was anything wrong with the scenario. That’s until we went to the back, the old man picked up the detergent and asked me to come closer to take it. As soon as I got closer, he opened his zipper and exposed himself grabbing my free hand and asking me to give him a hug and touch him. I honestly don’t remember much from that moment, but all that I remember is I pushed, dropped the detergent on the floor and ran back home.

 – Anonymous

YOU’RE NOT ALONE

The above story is a recount of one sexual assault survivor. But these types of assaults happen daily to countless women across Canada, and the world. The statistics in Canada show that 9 in 10 of the victims are women. Some like the one above are never reported, and many are not lucky enough to have escaped in time.

Being a survivor myself and struggling most of my life, I knew I had to give back in some way. I have struggled with my mental health ever since I was a child. As I got older and became a mom a lot of fear took over me. I was triggered a lot in my twenties. I was in and out of the hospital complaining of pain in my head that they couldn’t find, and no amount of medicine would help. I was then finally able to put 2 and 2 together and figure out that I need more help.

I reached out to my doctor, where at first I was pushed off to the sidelines. Like it wasn’t important. I was at one time told to get over it and move on. I started seeing therapists, 5 of them to be exact. Not all at the same time of course, but over the course of many years. Some of them helped while others felt like a complete waste of my time.

I knew that there had to be more out there to help those of us through such an experience. So, I started meditating, went back to school for holistic nutrition, and started using and educating people on essential oils. My life has forever changed. I am now seeing a proper therapist and psychiatrist. I am on the proper medication, and I run a successful business.

One of the hardest but most beneficial parts of my journey was the diagnosis. I never really wanted to hear it, but I was initially diagnosed with PTSD. However, that has now changed to Borderline Personality disorder, Anxiety disorder, Panic disorder, and an Eating disorder.

When I look back at the struggles I went through to get where I am today, I often wonder how I didn’t give up on myself, and on the system. But I didn’t and I am so grateful to be at where I am today.

LET’S STAND TOGETHER, THERE IS HOPE

The Women’s Warrior Retreat was developed because I don’t want other people to be where I was at and give up. There is so much more left in your journey, and I am now dedicated to helping other women come out of crisis and develop and grow into the people that they were meant to be.

The Women’s Warrior Retreat was a dream that has become a reality.

This Non-Profit 2-day event was created to help empower women who are survivors of sexual assault, to take their life back into their own hands. To show love, encouragement, and support.

Those who often have feelings of being lost, hopeless, and alone. This retreat allows women to reconnect back with themselves, and others. Giving them the strength and guidance to continue forward.

This retreat offers an assortment of different classes such as:

• Fitness classes to help release our bodies’ natural endorphins and our feel-good hormones.
• Meditation and mindfulness to help reconnect back to the present moment, and release our stress and fears.
• Personal development to lift us back on our feet and to conquer our days forward.
• As well as Nutrition to help nourish our bodies and flourish into everything we were meant to be.

Your life is your story, and the adventure ahead of you is the journey to fulfill your own purpose and potential. – Kerry Washington

WOMEN’S WARRIOR RETREAT INFORMATION:

The Women’s Warrior Retreat will be held on April 6 and 7th 2019 at Circle Studio in Petrolia. This is a 2-full day event that includes:

Day 1

• Fitness Class
• Opening Meditation
• Personal Development
• Catered Lunch
• Nutritional Education
• Guest Speakers
• Share Circle
• Yoga
• Final Meditation

Day 2 

• Fitness Class
• Opening Meditation
• Self-Defense Education
• Lunch
• Self-Defense Practice
• Share Circle
• Final Meditation

Only 20 tickets available, so book yours today at: https://womenswarriorretreat.ca/itinerary/

Are you ready to begin your story?