Katy has always been a storyteller. Journaling helped her navigate the challenges of a seemingly charmed childhood that included sex abuse. As she works on healing and reframing her story; what she wrote years before has become breadcrumbs left behind for her to follow. Stories from her childhood are healing her today, and she in turn, is healing her inner child. That process has brought a deeper understanding of her past and how it still affects her.
After 11 years in the non-profit sector, she left to dedicate her time to writing both as a journalist and an author of a literary non-fiction book. Her book takes her back to her abuse and abusers. She’ll confront them and by sharing how they hurt her, will eventually be ready to hear their stories. Part magical thinking, part memoir, her book takes readers to a place where rewriting your story is both possible and a venture worth undertaking. She hopes her writing will inspire others to consider another way to frame their past stories and focus more on the hero within than the victim.
WORKSHOP PRESENTATION: Telling Your Story – From Victimhood to Resiliency
When it comes to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), the story we continue to tell ourselves and others defines us. It either makes us stronger or leaves us feeling like helpless children at the mercy of outside forces. Participants who begin and continue the journey of self-discovery by writing and then rewriting their stories, can change and feel stronger.
The process can help them to identify less like victims and more like amazing, powerful heroes. Although, they lived through damaging experiences, Katy offers a way to look back and feel empowered. They will recognize thoughts and behaviors that were born out of trauma and begin to change their reactions to old feelings and habits that no longer serve them. The class begins with a reading from Katy’s book. Through her story, she’ll establish a trust-bond with participants based on shared experience, acceptance and desire to listen to our stories together.
WEBSITE: https://kathryngravesyoder.com/