Hi, I'm Jo. I'm one of the senior staff here at CS, and am a survivor of multiple childhood abuses. I've been a member of CS since I was about 17, which was pretty early on in CS's history. Back then I was a very nervous, and insecure kid with some pretty major abuse issues. When I first joined the forum, I was looking for answers and some sort of way of figuring out the mess in my head. CS became my lifeline and the love and acceptance I received here felt so alien. Now several years on and I am an adult, who still has some pretty major issues and insecurities, but I am so much better equipped to deal with them.

The friendships I have formed here are the closest I've ever had, and the mutual love and support have been so healing. Although I wish that none of us had experienced the abuses we have, being able to understand each other to such a deep level makes a huge difference. Being a survivor can make you feel so alone and isolated... and sometimes you think maybe you're the only one to have been through what you have. To find someone who really understands what you're going through is a relief.

At the moment, I am a physics undergraduate at university in England. It is something that I love to do, and am very much enjoying. It gives me something to work at and focus on when things get tough.

When I'm not studying, I like to do a variety of things, including painting, which I have found to be a good outlet in expressing the many powerful emotions that as a survivor I feel. I also spend a lot of time working at CS, as well as spending time spending time with my friends here. Working at CS has given me the opportunity to use my own experiences for something good, and I also feel it has helped me to grow and develop as a person.

Sometimes in the midst of all the pain, it can be hard to see that God is there... but as I look back over my life I can see all the ways he has been at work. I know that God has a plan for my life. Sometimes it's hard to see, and sometimes it's hard to understand...but I am going to keep fighting.

 

 

 


Jo is a member of the Senior Staff Team, and also co-mods one of the small groups.



All the staff here at CS work voluntarily, and do not get paid for their work. However, there are ways that you can donate directly to Jo should you wish to do so. :)