My Monster Has A Name

New Library

I recently added a new Library page to the blog, which is also in the top menu. This page represents a collection of the books on my bookshelf, right next to me every time I am on the computer that are related to this blogs content (I have a lot of books!).

I put in my personal reviews of each book too, if you are interested in my opinions on each, along with a rating. These are books that have helped me along my healing process and wanted to share. I hope to add a section of “Therapist Recommended” books soon, some of which are included already. These will be books that my therapist has recommended to me over the years.

In a continued effort to raise money for my favorite non-profit iSurvive, each books individual page has a link where you can buy the book from Amazon. Each book (or most anything else for that matter!) purchased through the Library through this link will raise 4% of the total purchase for iSurvive! All proceeds go directly to the organization, and not to me in any way.

iSurvive – Blogging for a Cause

I previously wrote a post about “iSurvive – Blogging for a Cause” (Part 2), which is another great way to support this organization. We have until June 6th to get votes in, but are already in the running for some of the $6,000 prize money, which is amazing! As of today we were tied for 4th/5th place with 6 votes. If you run a blog and would like to support this cause, please write a post before midnight on the 6th! Click here for a current tally of all votes.

Other ways to help iSurvive:

iSurvive is an incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and receive 100% of their financial support from benefit fundraising events and charitable donations. I’m sure any help is appreciated, and any cash donations are tax deductible! Links to their site about how to donate and help the organization: Main and Forum, summarized here for your convenience:

• Easily make a donation online through Paypal using the link “Main” above
• Donate online through Network for Good
• Write a check or money order, payable to:

isurvive.org

P.O. Box 78191

San Francisco, CA 94107

• Volunteer for iSurvive directly, OR
• Learn about volunteering for them through VolunteerMatch
• Buy t-shirts and other merchandise created by forum members at CafePress
• Buy a wristband by emailing the Executive Director, Lori Schmitt for details
• Shop for books (or anything else available at Amazon.com) through my new Library, as mentioned above
• Shop online using GoodSearch. Up to 30% of your purchase goes directly to iSurvive. Here is how:
  • Click on the link above
  • Enter “iSurvive.org” in the “Who Do You Support?”, and click “Verify”
  • Find your favorite store and shop
• Use GoodSearch as a search engine to find what you are looking for on the internet! This is an easy way to raise $0.01 for each search made. Here is how it works:
  • Click on the link above
  • Enter “iSurvive.org” in the “Who Do You GoodSearch For?”, and click “Verify”
  • Type what you are looking for into the search engine and click “Search”
  • That’s it!

1. iSurvive – Blogging for a Cause
2. iSurvive – Blogging for a Cause Part 2
3. My Early Warning Signs of Crisis*
4. Safety First Checklist Part 2*

Trigger Scale: (0/5)

I wanted to take the opportunity to sync up with fellow blogger Faith Allen who writes Blooming Lotus. Today she wrote a great article about why survivors might want to support iSurvive through Blogging for a Cause, and her experiences with the forum.

If you are a survivor of any type of abuse, I highly recommend iSurvive. I have only been active for a couple weeks (read for months before having the courage to interact!), but like Faith wrote, they have already saved my life too. The outpouring of support at the site is a great way for survivors to see that there are others like them, others who will support them and listen to their darkest histories, and provides an arena for telling and discussing your story, thoughts and ideas about abuse and the healing process.

It has also helped me to understand very simply, that I am NOT alone in this. Others HAVE survived, and even flourished. And, I am NOT Crazy or Insane. Again like Faith, I had a collection of symptoms that I kept trying to explain to the point of being considered a hypochondriac, because so many different diseases/conditions can fit when you are a survivor. Now I simply identify with having PTSD, healing from DID (just found out yesterday, jees louis…) because of extreme childhood trauma.

Additionally, every single person on the forum seems to be a beautiful, strong person. They really are survivors. Being a female, it has also taught me that this is not just a women’s issue and that there are men who have struggled with the same issues as I have, which really opened my eyes.

Please support iSurvive by posting about Blogging for a Cause today! We only have until June 6th to get votes in. I already wrote my vote counting post here.

1. iSurvive – Blogging for a Cause
2. New Library Page & Raising Money for iSurvive
3. Safety First Checklist Part 2*