Thank you, Dawn!! Anna's update...

Hello, all,

It's the real Anna again. Thank you SO MUCH to Dawn for blog'sitting for me during the last 7 hours. I really missed everyone, I know those last hours are sometimes the best fun.. ! But I had slept only three hours the night *before* the blog, and I would have never made it through. It was hard for me to make myself go to bed, but... I know it was the best for my health.

And that's what I want for all of you -- the best of health. Take care of yourselves.

It's not too late to make a pledge! We have raised unofficially...

are you ready?

$390...

and officially... $290.

Is that awesome, or what?!

My free magnet/button offer still stands -- no one took me up on it!

There is so much more I wanted to write about, but you know how it goes.. 30 minutes goes really fast, and there isn't enough time to get thoughts together everytime between posts.

Of my wonderful readers out there, who would like me to keep on blogging healing resources here? I'm thinking to keep going past the blogathon, but I'm not sure yet. I want your thoughts!


In any case, keep in touch all you gals and guys!

Much love,

Anna

PS. Don't forget -- if you still want to pledge, you can! Click here.

I have a wonderful teammate who will be blogging from now until the end, except if I'm brave, I may show up around the last post, say some good words. Or maybe if I can't wake myself, I will just have to come back and post something then.

But the blog will go on! And my bestest friend since I was, like, 13, she is awesome, cool, fun, wonderful, inspiring -- just like me.

;-)

Everyone, meet Dawn, Dawn, meet everyone...

One of my on the run posts...

It's lunch time here in my time zone, and so, I must feed the youngin's.



No time to post more than a -- I'm here, check out the info I posted on my charity and cause, and if you haven't made a pledge, and can make one, please do! My link is over there (psst, over to your right), and you can even get a free button or magnet! Isn't that just peachy?



Anna



PS. And thank you to Rachel, Marina, and Chris for your comments!! They keep me goin'



"...and even when your hope is gone, move along, move along, like I know you do..."



(Name this song, and I'll post a link to your blog on my next post! woohoo!)

So, once I get my act together, I plan on making this a resource for survivors. Here are some ideas I have so far:

Some posts on dealing with flashbacks, and getting grounded
Some posts on understanding self-harm, and getting help for it
Some posts on finding hope when it seems like there’s none to be found
Some posts on books, music, and other media that I have found inspirational or healing
Some posts about my experiences in healing, including posts on the aftermath that affects me personally – so you know, you are NOT alone out there
Some posts about self-comfort, and how to take care of yourselves
Some posts on random healing ideas and ways to find control and strength again
Some posts with resources, like websites and hotlines, for when you need help

In addition, of course, to the random blogathon ramblings – you can’t expect me to be inspirational and helpful ALL the time, can ya? Every 30 minutes? Sheesh! ;-)

Maybe a little something for those who pledge...

Hi, all, again :)

I'm looking to gather more pledges for my charity, Stop It Now! Together We Can Prevent the Sexual Abuse of Children.

And, soo..... The next 5 people who pledge at least $10 to my charity will get a freeeeeeee button or magnet of their choice from this page: http://www.cafepress.com/voicesstrength/1676401 (And 50% of all profits from this Cafe Press store goes to RAINN (Rape Abuse, and Incest National Network) -- So it's like giving twice!!)

And, if you already pledged, of course, I retroactively make this offer to you gals and guys as well.

So, to get a cooool magnet or button... pledge at least $10 for Stop It Now! (Here is my pledge link: http://www.blogathon.org/pledge.php?blogid=327), send me an email at writer.annakatz@gmail.com to let me know which button or magnet you'd like, and I'll let you know if you're in the next 5! You'll also need to give me a mailing address eventually, too, and of course, I won't share your contact info with anyone, never, ever, ever.

I'm not rolling in pledges or anything, so... trust me.. you'll probably get one of this way cool magnets or buttons.

So... anyone?? anyone?? :-)

(ACK! My toast is burning!!)

Love, Anna

It's time for post 2? already?

Ok, so... I promised you profound, but all I did was get sick. Ah well. So, I never made it to breakfast, so, now, I'm doing that...

If I may take a moment to say, however... This is why preventing sexual abuse before it happens is so important, why spreading awareness on the signs for people to look for before children suffer from it for too long or with no help, why hotlines like Stop It Now!'s prevention line (1-888-PREVENT) are so needed. Because the aftermath of childhood sexual abuse is terrible.

Yes, I'm laughing, and smiling... it's how I survive, and my therapist always says I have a good spirit. But the fact of the matter is...

I didn't sleep, because I had flashbacks all day.
I didn't sleep, because I wake in the night from sounds that aren't there.
I didn't sleep, because when I was a child, the only way to know it was safe was to sleep lightly.
I didn't sleep, because when I was young, I was hurt in a terrible way -- and no one helped me.


Off to breakfast now...

Anna

My first blogathon post...

Hello, everyone!

One might think I'd have something profound to share for my first post... or, perhaps, something deep, something light, something interesting to read. Alas, I didn't sleep well at ALL last night (can you imagine getting less than 3 hours of sleep the night before a blogathon!!), and so... being in my jammies, you'll have to settle just for...

Here I am, ready to get started... well, getting READY to get started :) And I hope we can have some fun, while raising awareness, and developing here a resource for survivors.

Right now, I must get myself some breakfast... and I promise to be a bit more profound in my next post!!

Love, Anna

On Schedule B

Hello!

Just wanted to let people know I'm doing Schedule-B during the blogathon, so I don't start until 9 PM PST (which will be 7 am my time).

Take care, all,

Anna

Thirteen Reasons I'm Rasing Money for Stop It Now! During Blogathon 2007 This Weekend

(To make a pledge, click here! http://www.blogathon.org/pledge.php?blogid=327 [Note:When you get to the pledge page, it asks for your email address and password. Below that, you'll notice a line that says, Don't have an account? Sign Up!. You want to click on the SignUp link, and this will allow you to make the pledge.])

Thirteen Reasons I'm Rasing Money for Stop It Now! During Blogathon 2007 This Weekend 1. Because I believe that the best time to help a child is *before* the abuse happens. 2. Because I feel adults can help a child -- if they know what to look for, and how to help. 3. Because I was molested as a child, and while I wish I could undo those years, I can't. 4. Because I like to believe that perhaps there are pedophiles out there just maybe, maybe, will have the courage to call Stop It Now!'s prevention hotline *before* they hurt a child -- and get the help they need. 5. Because one in every four girls, and one in every six boys is sexually assaulted before the age of 18 -- and that says to me that this is important to do something about NOW... 6. Because Stop It Now! is the only *prevention* hotline available for sexual abuse. There are many organizations that help with the aftermath, but Stop It Now! wants to try to avoid getting to that point. 7. Because blogathons are a fun way to raise money for charity... ! 8. Because I hope that my blog will go on to be a resource for people who suffered from sexual abuse or assault. 9. Because I know what it's like to feel like your alone -- and I want other survivors to know they are NOT alone. 10. Because I don't sleep well anyway, so, I won't miss the hours so much -- I hope! :-) 11. Because writing is something I love to do, and what better way to make a difference in this world than by doing something you love. 12. Because I believe that EVERY survivor can heal from their past -- if I am doing it, you can do it. I hope this blog will help them find their path to wellness. 13. Because if I don't do it, who will? Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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(To make a pledge, click here! http://www.blogathon.org/pledge.php?blogid=327 [Note:When you get to the pledge page, it asks for your email address and password. Below that, you'll notice a line that says, Don't have an account? Sign Up!. You want to click on the SignUp link, and this will allow you to make the pledge.])

Blogathon 2007 -- Making a Difference Today, Along With a Resource For Tommorow

Hello, everyone,

This is my Blogathon 2007 blog, and I'm blogging to raise money for Stop It Now. Let me tell you a little bit about the Blogathon, and Stop It Now, and then I'll tell you why I'm doing this.

(To make a pledge, click here! http://www.blogathon.org/pledge.php?blogid=327 [Note:When you get to the pledge page, it asks for your email address and password. Below that, you'll notice a line that says, Don't have an account? Sign Up!. You want to click on the SignUp link, and this will allow you to make the pledge.])

Of course, bloggers are always making a difference. But during the Blogathon, they aim to make a difference in a big way.

The Blogathon is an awesome event, where bloggers from all around the world sit down at their computers, and blog to raise money for needed causes. This year, starting on July 28th, at 6 am Pacific Time (USA), Blogathon Bloggers will begin to post something every 30 minutes, non-stop for 24 hours, staying up into the wee hours of the night, in order to raise money for their chosen cause.

People blog for all kinds of charities, and they are sponsored by people like you. Imagine that -- YOU can make a difference without having to stay up all night with us. Of course, you can blog, too! Check out the blogathon website for more details. But if you'd rather support one of us, that's awesome too. You make your pledge at the blogathon website, and either now or when the blogathon is over, you simply go directly to the charities online donation form and make your promised contribution. You can donate anything from $10 up to $1,000 or more. (I don't know if you can donate less than $10, you need to check with the charities giving policies. But if they say you can donate less, and that's what you can do, then heck, do that!)

No money passes through Blogathon or me (or any other bloggers). It is sent directly from the giver, to the charity. The purpose of pledging on the Blogathon site is to just keep a record of how much is raised, and to make it all the more fun and motivating for those of us feeling dizzy from the 38 cups of coffee we will need to stay up the entire time! :-)

Now, let me tell you a little bit about Stop It Now, and why I'm doing this, and what I mean by my blog post's title: Making a Difference Today, Along With a Resource For Tommorow

Stop It Now is an organization that aims to educate and empower adults to stop childhood sexual abuse. So many programs focus on educating mainly the children on what they should do to stop or prevent abuse.

But let's be clear -- that's good, kids should have the tools -- but this is not a child's responsibilty. It is never a child's fault, and it is unfair to place the majority of responsibilty into their hands by telling them to say "no" and leaving it at that. (Note to Adults: Saying No never stopped anyone from hurting me as a child.)

Children, when it comes to reality, are not the ones with the most power to stop abuse from happening. They are small, young, and so much more naive than those who do have the power to stop or prevent abuse -- who does have the power to stop abuse?

Adults.

Those who are around the child, those who know the child, those who raise the child -- it is the adults who need to know what the signs are that a child is being abused AND the signs that someone may be abusing a child. Stop It Now also offers a hotline. From their website:

"For more than 10 years, our national toll-free Helpline
(1.888.PREVENT) has provided thousands of adults a unique outlet to
confidentially voice their concerns. We provide support, information and
resources that enable individuals and families to keep children safe and to
create healthier communities."

But Stop It Now goes even further -- they put the responsibility to stop abuse at the core -- they also offer their hotline to adults who are thinking of abusing a child. They offer these people the help and resources they need to prevent the abuse from happening before it happens.

You can read more about Stop It Now on their website: http://www.stopitnow.com/about.html

Now, why am I raising money for Stop It Now? And what do I mean by my blog post's title, Making a Difference Today, Along With a Resource For Tommorow... ?

I am an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse. I strongly believe that there were many adults in my life who knew things, who saw things, and could have done something to prevent or stop what was happening to me -- and they didn't. They were all silent. By blogging for Stop It Now, I hope that the donations and the awareness raised through the Blogathon will help children not get as hurt as I did as a child.

Also, Stop It Now offers resources to those who suffered from Childhood Sexual Abuse. The aftermath of abuse is something few people can imagine, unless they themselves have experienced it. I hope by raising money for Stop It Now more survivors of childhood sexual abuse will be able to reach out and get help, and heal from the pain of their past.


I did blogathon last year, and we raised almost $100. Which is great! This year, I thought perhaps to do a bit more. Instead of just posting random things during the blogathon, what if I created a blog that would sit on the big Internet and act as a resource for those looking for help.

So, while I post for the blogathon this year, I intend to post about the many ways survivors can heal from the past. Anything from comfort to grounding to stoping self-harm to resources to hotlines -- whatever a survivor could possibly find helpful during a time of crisis, I hope to post on my blog during the blogathon.

This way, not only will I be blogging to raise money for Stop It Now -- I'll also be creating a resource online for survivors.

To make your pledge, click here!

http://www.blogathon.org/pledge.php?blogid=327
[Note:When you get to the pledge page, it asks for your email address and password. Below that, you'll notice a line that says, Don't have an account? Sign Up!. You want to click on the SignUp link, and this will allow you to make the pledge.]