Comments for Lauren's Kids http://laurenskids.org To prevent sexual abuse through awareness, education, and to help survivors heal with guidance and support Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:52:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Comment on Parent Perspective by Penny http://laurenskids.org/parent-perspective/parent-perspective/#comment-107 Penny Tue, 21 Feb 2012 02:52:58 +0000 http://laurenskids.org/?p=1039#comment-107 I have been thinking about this post since you put it up. I have talked to Lauren about it and the reason it has taken so long to reply is because I have seen you both for the last 3 years and watched how much everything has changed. The first year was so difficult for Lauren from the blisters to knowing how to respond to some of the people she met. Like you point out, your daughter’s strength and courage pulled her through as she fought to finish that year. There is a picture of you on the steps of the capitol (with many other people), but the look on your face is of unbelievable amazement as you listen to her speak to the crowd. Your response is that of a proud, but awestruck dad. I know the position you have in your business has made it easier to get some things done, but it also took a very brave young lady to say she wasn’t going to keep this quiet and bury it, hoping most of the world wouldn’t know what happened to her and to move forward in life with her “secret”. That decision and the support behind it has changed so many lives. The education she has spread across this state has been done in such a true, heartfelt manner that people get such a positive feeling from just being part of what she is doing. It makes you feel as if you can stop being a victim and become a survivor, that you can shed the shame and put the blame where it belongs, that you can move on and take back your life. As a parent (or grandparent) of a victim it is hard to understand how a tragedy like this can happen especially when you put so much into making your child’s safety such a high priority in their lives. I know you did and so did I, and as the grandparent of a victim and a victim myself, it’s difficult to say which is harder to fix. Everyone will have their own answer and reason for their answer to that issue. A victim has so many ups and downs to finally make some positive growth (and there is a growing group of older PTSD victims who are just starting to deal with what happened many, many years ago), but now, because of you and Lauren, there will be fewer and fewer victims as we teach others to tell, to report these crimes and to get the people that harm our children off the streets. The victim has a lot to deal with, and as you put it, “Most people will never truly know the impacts on a victim or a victim’s family that Walk In My Shoes is all about.”, as the grandparent of a victim, you are so right, it’s like the old phase “Unless You Walk a Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes”, you can’t grasp the full feeling. Having both sides of the issue to see this from, look at your daughter’s smile (we’ve talked about how revealing that is), she has grown so much and this year shows that in her connection to the people she meets along the walk. Keep doing all you can to support her, but also be kind to yourself, you have supported her much more than most families can ever hope to do. I have walked all 3 years as much as I could and learned so much from seeing Lauren grow much more confident in all she does. She has had such an impact on me and my family. The program with the 39/39/39 t-shirts was such a great idea, I wish more people would have supported it, my grandchildren and I earned ours and wear them proudly. We also wear a bracelet from each year (all 3) and it gets attention from people so we get to spread the word about Lauren’s Kids and help others. My deepest thanks go to Lauren for her bravery and tenacity (one of my favorite words) but especially for the positive spirit and love she shows all of us (and the extra attention she gives my family) and my true appreciation for you and your ability to get to the people who can change things to keep this a safer place for all the children in Florida. THANKS from a grandma, mom, teacher, victim, survivor, grandmother of a survivor (she uses that word) and a resident of the state of Florida. I have been thinking about this post since you put it up. I have talked to Lauren about it and the reason it has taken so long to reply is because I have seen you both for the last 3 years and watched how much everything has changed. The first year was so difficult for Lauren from the blisters to knowing how to respond to some of the people she met. Like you point out, your daughter’s strength and courage pulled her through as she fought to finish that year. There is a picture of you on the steps of the capitol (with many other people), but the look on your face is of unbelievable amazement as you listen to her speak to the crowd. Your response is that of a proud, but awestruck dad. I know the position you have in your business has made it easier to get some things done, but it also took a very brave young lady to say she wasn’t going to keep this quiet and bury it, hoping most of the world wouldn’t know what happened to her and to move forward in life with her “secret”. That decision and the support behind it has changed so many lives. The education she has spread across this state has been done in such a true, heartfelt manner that people get such a positive feeling from just being part of what she is doing. It makes you feel as if you can stop being a victim and become a survivor, that you can shed the shame and put the blame where it belongs, that you can move on and take back your life. As a parent (or grandparent) of a victim it is hard to understand how a tragedy like this can happen especially when you put so much into making your child’s safety such a high priority in their lives. I know you did and so did I, and as the grandparent of a victim and a victim myself, it’s difficult to say which is harder to fix. Everyone will have their own answer and reason for their answer to that issue. A victim has so many ups and downs to finally make some positive growth (and there is a growing group of older PTSD victims who are just starting to deal with what happened many, many years ago), but now, because of you and Lauren, there will be fewer and fewer victims as we teach others to tell, to report these crimes and to get the people that harm our children off the streets. The victim has a lot to deal with, and as you put it, “Most people will never truly know the impacts on a victim or a victim’s family that Walk In My Shoes is all about.”, as the grandparent of a victim, you are so right, it’s like the old phase “Unless You Walk a Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes”, you can’t grasp the full feeling. Having both sides of the issue to see this from, look at your daughter’s smile (we’ve talked about how revealing that is), she has grown so much and this year shows that in her connection to the people she meets along the walk. Keep doing all you can to support her, but also be kind to yourself, you have supported her much more than most families can ever hope to do. I have walked all 3 years as much as I could and learned so much from seeing Lauren grow much more confident in all she does. She has had such an impact on me and my family. The program with the 39/39/39 t-shirts was such a great idea, I wish more people would have supported it, my grandchildren and I earned ours and wear them proudly. We also wear a bracelet from each year (all 3) and it gets attention from people so we get to spread the word about Lauren’s Kids and help others. My deepest thanks go to Lauren for her bravery and tenacity (one of my favorite words) but especially for the positive spirit and love she shows all of us (and the extra attention she gives my family) and my true appreciation for you and your ability to get to the people who can change things to keep this a safer place for all the children in Florida. THANKS from a grandma, mom, teacher, victim, survivor, grandmother of a survivor (she uses that word) and a resident of the state of Florida.

]]> Comment on 2012 Walk: Days 30, 31 and 32 by crystal wright http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-days-30-31-and-32/#comment-105 crystal wright Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:51:06 +0000 http://laurenskids.org/?p=1384#comment-105 We did the walk in Panama City and i brought my son this time to walk. It was his first one and he loved it so much he cant wait for another one. We would just like to thank everyone for the support and the fun we all had. Keeping everyone in our thoughts and prayers. Xoxo We did the walk in Panama City and i brought my son this time to walk. It was his first one and he loved it so much he cant wait for another one. We would just like to thank everyone for the support and the fun we all had. Keeping everyone in our thoughts and prayers. Xoxo

]]> Comment on 2012 Walk: Day 24 & 25 by Heather http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-24-25/#comment-87 Heather Mon, 13 Feb 2012 03:47:07 +0000 http://laurenskids.org/?p=1333#comment-87 Thank you all for your efforts. When I was 13, I was a victim of a sexual predator and being that I not only lived in Gainesville, but personally knew one of the "predators," it hit a little too close to home. I am very supportive of your cause!!! Thank you all for your efforts. When I was 13, I was a victim of a sexual predator and being that I not only lived in Gainesville, but personally knew one of the “predators,” it hit a little too close to home. I am very supportive of your cause!!!

]]> Comment on 2012 Walk: Day 12 by Bonnie Cox http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-12/#comment-63 Bonnie Cox Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:34:16 +0000 http://laurenskids.org/?p=1267#comment-63 I witnessed your police escort walking through Port St. Lucie (US1 & Village Green Blvd) this morning! I was unaware of your organization until then. It is a wonderful thing that you do to protect others. I am interested in learning more about your cause when you have a chance. Keep up the good work and Happy Walking :-) Bonnie Cox I witnessed your police escort walking through Port St. Lucie (US1 & Village Green Blvd) this morning! I was unaware of your organization until then. It is a wonderful thing that you do to protect others. I am interested in learning more about your cause when you have a chance. Keep up the good work and Happy Walking :-) Bonnie Cox

]]> Comment on 2012 Walk: Day 12 by Diane Connell http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-12/#comment-43 Diane Connell Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:28:01 +0000 http://laurenskids.org/?p=1267#comment-43 Hi Lauren, On behalf of the Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida, thank you for stopping in Fort Myers last week to raise awareness on child sexual abuse. You, your father, and the entire crew are an inspiration to us all. "Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb." - Sir Winston Churchill Hi Lauren, On behalf of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Southwest Florida, thank you for stopping in Fort Myers last week to raise awareness on child sexual abuse. You, your father, and the entire crew are an inspiration to us all.

“Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.” – Sir Winston Churchill

]]> Comment on 2012 Walk: Day 12 by Nicole http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-12/#comment-35 Nicole Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:27:23 +0000 http://laurenskids.org/?p=1267#comment-35 Lauren, it was an honor to share a part of your journey with you yesterday. I am inspired by your strength, courage, and desire to help others. I am so excited to have met you and hope that in the future we can work together to help change the lives of others for the better!!! Good luck on the next leg of your journey!!! Lauren, it was an honor to share a part of your journey with you yesterday. I am inspired by your strength, courage, and desire to help others. I am so excited to have met you and hope that in the future we can work together to help change the lives of others for the better!!! Good luck on the next leg of your journey!!!

]]> Comment on 2012 Walk: Day 11 by Marsha Dixon http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-11/#comment-33 Marsha Dixon Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:19:48 +0000 http://laurenskids.org/?p=1255#comment-33 Lauren, Today you walk for those who have suffered intolerable fates at the hands of their abusers. I won't get a chance to walk with you until Fab. 21st but I am with you always! I walk with you because we need to walk for those who aren't able to make the journey for themselves! You are the inspiration that leads us on and we thank you so much for what you do! With Loving Praise and Thanks, Marsha Lauren, Today you walk for those who have suffered intolerable fates at the hands of their abusers. I won’t get a chance to walk with you until Fab. 21st but I am with you always! I walk with you because we need to walk for those who aren’t able to make the journey for themselves! You are the inspiration that leads us on and we thank you so much for what you do! With Loving Praise and Thanks, Marsha

]]> Comment on 2012 Walk: Day 10 by Anjuli Lohn http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-10/#comment-27 Anjuli Lohn Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:00:39 +0000 http://laurenskids.org/?p=1239#comment-27 Hi Lauren! I'm a reporter at WINK-TV, we were interested in meeting up with you during your stop in Naples/Fort Myers tomorrow. Is there a contact person I should call? Please let me know at your earliest convenience. Thanks a million, Anjuli Lohn WINK News Reporter 239-810-3595 anjuli.lohn@winktv.com Hi Lauren!
I’m a reporter at WINK-TV, we were interested in meeting up with you during your stop in Naples/Fort Myers tomorrow. Is there a contact person I should call? Please let me know at your earliest convenience.

Thanks a million,

Anjuli Lohn
WINK News Reporter
239-810-3595
anjuli.lohn@winktv.com

]]> Comment on 2012 Walk: Day 7 by susana asencio http://laurenskids.org/laurens-blog/2012-walk-day-7/#comment-24 susana asencio Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:34:41 +0000 http://laurenskids.org/?p=1214#comment-24 Hola Laurens los estoy siguiendo por la Computadora, Que Dios te Bendiga siempre a Ti y a Todos los que te Ayudan de cualquier forma. Los Quiero Mucho Cuidate y Cuidense Todos Mucho y por favor Cuidenme a mi Hijo (Soy la Mama de Rafael mi Tlfn: 786-512-1213) Besitos y Abrazos de Susy y la Tia Elo. Hola Laurens los estoy siguiendo por la Computadora, Que Dios te Bendiga siempre a Ti y a Todos los que te Ayudan de cualquier forma. Los Quiero Mucho Cuidate y Cuidense Todos Mucho y por favor Cuidenme a mi Hijo (Soy la Mama de Rafael mi Tlfn: 786-512-1213) Besitos y Abrazos de Susy y la Tia Elo.

]]> Comment on Teacher’s Corner by Lauren's Kids – 2012 Walk: Day 7 http://laurenskids.org/teachers/#comment-19 Lauren's Kids – 2012 Walk: Day 7 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:33:34 +0000 http://laurenskids.org/?page_id=972#comment-19 [...] Curriculum [...] [...] Curriculum [...]

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