AuthorLenaB

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Who would have thought that the girl who experienced domestic violence would one day stand in front of 300 medical students at Jefferson, sharing her story and teaching future healthcare providers the importance of screening patients for intimate partner violence? 💜 The same girl who once had to find her way through the pain is now using her voice to educate others, encourage meaningful conversations, and remind future providers that behind every patient is a person whose story may never be told unless someone takes the time to ask. During Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I had the opportunity to engage with these students through thoughtful discussions, questions, and a role-play scenario that explored how intimate partner violence can present in a hospital setting. Together, we discussed the responsibility healthcare providers have to recognize the signs, create safe spaces for disclosure, and connect patients with resources that could ultimately save their lives. There is something powerful about becoming the very person you once needed. My story didn't end with what happened to me. My pain didn't get the final say. And what I survived no longer exists only as a part of my past; it has become part of the work I do to help others. I may not have chosen what happened to me, but I can choose what I do with my voice. And if sharing my story helps one provider ask the right question, recognize the signs, or help one survivor find safety, then standing in that room was worth it. 💜 I am a survivor. I am an advocate. And I am proof that what you survive can become part of your purpose. #DomesticViolenceAwarenessMonth #DomesticViolenceSurvivor #IPVAwareness

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Thirty- six. I keep thinking about that number and all the life you should be living right now. The memories we should still be making, the conversations we should still be having, the laughs we should still be sharing, and all the moments you should be here for. I wonder what you would look like at 36, what you would be doing, and how much more life would have shaped you. There are so many things I wish I could ask you, so many things I wish I could tell you, and so many days when I would give anything just to hear your voice one more time. October will never be just another month to me. It carries too much of you. Your birthday, the day we lost you, and all the memories that seem to get a little louder this time of year. Sometimes I wish I could skip right over these days. Other times, I want to sit in every memory because remembering you is the closest thing I have to getting a piece of you back. 36 years ago, the world became a little more beautiful because you were in it. And even though I only got a limited number of years with you here, I will spend the rest of my life loving you. I would give anything for one more birthday with you. One more hug. One more laugh. One more ordinary day that I would never have known was so precious until I could no longer have it. Happy heavenly birthday, my brother. My big brother. A piece of my heart that I will never get back because it will always belong to you. I hope heaven is celebrating you the way you deserve to be celebrated. I hope you are surrounded by peace, love, and everything beautiful. And I hope you know that down here, there is a little sister who still says your name, still thinks about you, still loves you, and still wishes you were here. I miss you in ways words will never be able to hold. I love you beyond this life, beyond this loss, and beyond anything I could ever explain. Happy 36th birthday, big brother. Until I see you again. 🤍🕊️