Time happens one second at a time. Life happens just as quickly. Consider taking the time to notice the moments that make a difference. Attending the Healing Together Conference is an opportunity become part of something fantastic and instants that will leave lasting impressions. Think about how many of us feel isolated in our multiplicity or isolated in being the support for someone who is dissociative and envision the infinite ways of being and becoming whole. Not whole as in singleton but as a person no longer scattered in fear and lost in trauma but being as you were meant to be . . . a precious jewel like no other.

Ask yourself what do we do with jewels? We make earrings, rings, tie clips, necklaces, belt buckles, or we shine them up and keep them warm in our pockets close to our hearts. At some point people with trauma history were not treated as precious jewels but were tossed around and mistreated like an old unmatched sock. Some of us have learned that we are jewels and what we are made of while other of us have not realized our priceless value. Some of us have figured out how to treat others as jewels while other of us did not know that unmatched socks had lost a part of itself. What better place to learn than together with people who have been there and are striving for living life differently – the opportunities and depth of healing are infinite.

My hope is that everyone attending be open to the experience of gaining a stronger sense of self and understanding of others. As long as we are able, this will be an event my husband and I attend every year. I hope, for myself, that each year I can share more of my journey through life. We hope that sharing our lives will be continue to be encouraging to others. Last year we learned a lot about ourselves through kind words shared from those around us. (Thank you all again!) Sometimes the mere fact of seeing others like yourself is a profound healing factor.

Visit AIM site directly.

The staff (me) is back up and running.  It has been a challenging year.  One of growth, slowing down, and experiencing the difficult events of life such as losing a parent.  This is not the place for posting my personal experiences; which by the way I am also in the process of developing.

I want to let you all know that I appreciate the continued commitment of reading of sparse material posted here during the past twelve months.  I also appreciate the emails expressing concern.  I am glad I was able to respond to those emails.  My aim is to get back on a schedule of posting information that helps educate and shed light on the topic of DID from a professional standpoint.

Without further delay . . .

Many of you have heard whispers of a conference for people who live with DID and their supporters.  If you haven’t, then the word is officially out.  Yes, it is true!   An Infinite Mind, LLC hosted its inaugural conference February 5 – 6, 2011, Healing Together:  An Educational and Support Conference on D.I.D. in Orlando, Florida, USA.  I venture to say anyone who attended will say that it was an extraordinary event.  There were moments of challenging distorted thought patterns and times laughing about the reality of DID.  The event was sponsored by Discovery Institute, P.A. and Pandora’s Project.  The speakers ranged from local specialist to internationally known authors.  Each of them were very instrumental in providing an avenue toward better understanding.  There were many attendees who also invested their personal time and shared their experiences with others; which was an added benefit.

I could go on ad infinitum  (pun intended) but I will leave you with a message from the desk of the amazing Jaime Pollack, Founder/Directer of An Infinite Mind.

Don’t miss your registration, make your donation, prepare for participation and when it is all over (until the next year) enjoy a celebration.  Looking forward to Healing Together 2012!

Takeya

Hello Everyone!

What is your gender? female

How would you describe your nationality/ethnic/cultural orgin? Scots-Irish

Where do you live? Pacific NW

Are you married? No

Do you have children? 5 sons

If you work. What is your profession? or What do you do? Retired, but pursuing a writing career.

What is your educational background? High school.

Do you have pets? 1 cat

Tell us a little about yourself.

As a victim of childhood sexual abuse, my life has been chaotic beyond words. I married young and began a family when I was 18. The marriage didn’t last long as I had so many intimacy issues, not knowing from where they stemmed. I then married and divorced 3 more times and ended up having five sons.

After my sons were all grown and I became a nana, a good friend saw an episode of Dateline dealing with DID and was struck by many similarities between me and the man profiled on the show. She knew someone who was married to a multiple; we were introduced and after discussing the possibility of my having DID with this new friend of mine, everything began falling into place. I began therapy and was told that I definitely am a multiple.

The diagnosis was both a blessing and a huge source of discouragement. It was a blessing because for the first time since my childhood my life began to make sense. I knew that DID explained so many things about me and my chaotic life which I’d never before been able to comprehend. On the other hand, knowing I have a mental disorder was shameful to me.

It’s been a long, bumpy road trying to adapt to being a multiple in a world of singletons. I figured out quickly that there are some people you can trust with the news of your DID, while others are not safe to confide in. I feel as if I’m living a sort of double life. My kids are grown, my grandkids are getting older: but here I am, tending to my other children, those who live inside of me and require nurturing.

About 4 years ago I began blogging about my DID in an effort to better understand it. I needed a place where I could say what I wanted to without worrying about the responses I’d get. Also, I wanted to help demystify this disorder. Not everyone’s DID is as melodramatic as Sybil’s! I’ve made some great friends from blogging; I’ve written about everything going on in my life–not just the things pertaining to DID. I blog about my writing aspirations, my grandkids, my faith in God. I’ve tried to present a well-rounded picture of what DID is like for me, always bearing in mind that it is different for everyone who lives with this disorder.

Recently I published a book of poems about my abusive childhood. I’ve also been published several places online, and was recently the featured poet in Pink Panther, a magazine which also publishes a printed version. It seems this redheaded stepchild has finally found her voice! My abuser (my stepdad) used to scoff at my writing. I began writing stories at the age of 7; whenever he’d walk into a room and see me writing he’d mock and shame me. For decades my passion for writing became a sort of furtive, secretive thing. But now I’ve come full circle. Now the truth can be told and, in the telling, hopefully I can speak out for those innocent children who have no voice in this world.

Any poll questions that bring you here to vote are based on how you answered Part I.

Please respond in the comments section.

I want to thank all of you who continue to vote, make comments, give feedback and words of encouragement.

It is definitely worth the time that it takes to gather information about DID.  I did not expect to have so many people actually read and participate.  I want to make sure that I am providing support that you all are looking for not just what I think people want to see.

There are many things that I can do on my own but there are some that I can’t.  The poll for today is to gauge what I need to move to next. It is hard to convince therapists or significant others to participate so there are some ideas I can’t implement yet.  Spread the word and let the people in your support system know that they can also send suggestions and experiences.

Thank you!!