((((anderson))))

We do hear you and we understand. Up until three years ago, we had no safety or way to allow anyone within to feel safe and have friends. Not even for any of us. It was something that was not safe to do and with what we were feeling we had to be so careful. Except for our t and our friend that would talk to us over the phone we were hidden.

We were hidden except at night when the world seemed to be asleep and we could shut the blinds and allow the others to come out and be. It was then that they could find safety within the closed doors and windows of the night to be safe. Sometimes that was not possible as things would come in the night that would hurt and at times there seemed no safety anywhere.

Once we moved and we found that safety could possibly exist only then did us within step out and begin to feel safe. It was something that at first for us was almost like a rush as we felt safe but were unsure it would last or that it could be possibly true. It took time for us all to realize that the safety was not going to walk away or put us down and not accept us.

It has taken a long time for all of us to feel safe enough to be seen and heard. Now, for most we are not afraid to step forth on our own and there are those that accept us for who we are and it is okay. Our t and treatment team know and they do not chastise us for stepping out. Also coming to a place of knowing each other exists has made it safer too. Before we were not even knowledgable about each other.

Our friend and her family know we are here and they accept too. It is not anymore that we have to have such a fear of being so that makes it easier to step forth ourselves and be who we are. We still have to be cautious as sometimes there are those that do not understand or believe. Also there are still those that look for us making it feel dangerous and scary.

We took a risk and reached forth and now it is much easier to allow us to have a voice. Time has proven that safety can sometimes exist although we still have to be cautious at times. Now we no longer feel we are a secret for we have thoses that know we are here and they accept us for us.

Victoria of dps