But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.   (1 John 1:7)

The Bible uses light as a metaphor for honesty because you can truly see and examine things in the light. But in darkness, no one can see the truth. All that is good is hidden.

My efforts as I write will be to continue my story with all honesty, wherever possible looking at other sides. Hopefully I will learn from it, at the same time helping you, the readers, learn.

The issues of stigma need to be brought out in the open, talked about so that the pain felt by those who live with it is appreciated. Such people need to be better accepted for who they are – people with feelings – people who have worth.

What I’m relating in these writings – the memories – have been journaled about and told to medical professionals, counselors and friends. From the beginning I couldn’t keep the pain to myself. What happened to me is even now, three or more years after the trauma, discussed at all my appointments. It’s the biggest factor in the struggles with my mental health.

Everyone knows that stigma is bad. I only wish I could help them understand the depth of the pain and how dehumanizing it is to be a victim.

I hope the issues and the stories I’m bringing to light will contribute to an understanding of the seriousness of stigma.