[DSM-Iowa] I'm A Survivor.

[Enrique Mejia]

Mary first thank you for sharing. 
There no words I can say to tell you how sorry I am that this happened to you. Our chapter meetings, and any NFB event should be places of safety, where people can feel that they are loved and cared for. 
I am glad to hear that you are getting help for your mental illness. I can say that I am also receiving mental health therapy, and have for years. 
I am glad that you are sharing your mental health struggle because as a society we need to end the negative stigma related to mental health. Mental health to me is no different than physical health, in fact often they are related.  


Again thank you for sharing your story. 
I will be reaching to you and the rest of the board so that we can plan our first board meeting. 

Thank you. 

Enrique. 

> On Jan 10, 2021, at 15:44, Mary McGee via DSM-Iowa <dsm-iowa at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hello, again!
>               I just listened to the Presidential Release and, I must say that I’m impressed with the words.  But, as they say, talk is cheap but it takes money to buy whiskey.  I’m now on the board of our chapter, so it’s time to be honest.  I’m a survivor, who was sexually assaulted at a National Convention way back in 1976 by a national leader of the organization.  He was just the first one; one or two other followed at different times.  I also had an employee of the Iowa Commission for the Blind “come on” to me.  I’ve heal it in for years because I also come from an abusive childhood and thought it was my fault.  I was a fish who jumped from the frying pan into the fire when I thought the blindness community would be different.  It wasn’t. 
>               I sincerely hope we can move forward in this.  I am not ashamed to say that I post on #MarchingTogether.  I will be vocal about this issue.  I’ve spent years in psychotherapy and I’m not ashamed of that!  Training is nice.  Talking is nice.  At the local level, I want to see us DO something. 
>               I will also seek help from the Survivors Task Force.  I encourage everyone to do that if they feel the need.  We must uncover this mess, root it out, and fix it?  I want to help!
>               I sent my contact information in an earlier email.  If any of you want to contact me, please do, even if you want to tell me full of it, because you’re entitled to you opinion. 
> Cordially,
> Mary L. McGee
>  
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