Learning and sharing with others on the road back.
I was sexually abused as a young boy over 40 years ago. A lot was taken and the effects linger deeply.
It can be a difficult path to navigate, to find your way when you have no one to ask directions, even as an adult. I eventually found invaluable resources and support along the way, though the content is sometimes sparse for male survivors.
To repay the kindness found in those resources, and to add back to the universe, I submit my insights (a.k.a. ramblings) about what happened, what helped, and the ongoing search for peace. Here lies my crinkled old road map, with notes scribbled on the side, about great places to visit and canyons to avoid.
I am not a lawyer nor a counsellor. Please seek professional advice and help from both.
This website’s title, The Road Back, alludes to screenwriter Christopher Vogler’s interpretation of mythologist Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey. It describes the section of the trip after the hero/ine has faced the ordeal, has seized the sword, and heads for home, likely to face one last important battle before their return. [Detailed post coming soon]
This storytelling model continues to resonate with me. The correlation and connection to one’s journey, one’s life, one’s role, and the desire to move forward, is likely why narrative therapy proved to be extremely helpful in my own healing process.
Finding a way to try to rewrite my path and my pain as purposeful with this metaphor was exciting. To then be able to turn to you - with ways to tell you that you are the hero in your story - feels like a purpose.
So, if you are on your own personal, unique, and courageous journey and you found this website: you’ve got this and please, keep it up.
It can be an extremely challenging trip, but you are not alone.
Regards,
Laurie Kinsman
Mug photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash.
Fence signs photo by Dan Meyers on Unsplash