I recently delivered a TEDx Talk revealing my high ACEs score of nine and how I found out about the ACEs movement by accident. Last July, I attended a screening of "Resilience" thinking it would be a movie about how a powerful coping mechanism can help children cope with toxic stress. Instead, imagine my shock, as I watched clinicians explain that my ACEs score could result in a shortened lifespan by 20 years!
Dazed and afraid, I threw myself into researching the findings of the ACEs movement - serendipitously invited to deliver my related TEDx talk five months later! Because I have PTSD, reliving my trauma over and over again during our three months of prep was extremely difficult and there were times I wanted to bail. Somehow, my resilience kicked in again and gave me the courage to followthrough; making the standing ovation I received at the end even that much sweeter.
I came away from this experience determined to broaden the focus of the current movement to incorporate what I'm calling #ACEsGROWNUPS - an initiative seeking to build a community of high ACEs adults. Within this fellowship group, I believe we can offer support for one another and, explore ways in which to mentor younger ACEs kids struggling the way we did/do.
I will formally launch the program via Instagram on Thursday, April 25th 2019 when I attend the Virginia Summit on Childhood Trauma & Resilience Summit as a sponsor and, as an adult still tending to the deep wounds caused by my exposure to trauma as a child. I am convinced that my #ACEsGROWNUPS initiative will offer all of us hope and continued healing.
Please keep track of my progress via my website, https://newyoricangirl.com. Thank you in advance for your support. Here is my TEDx Talk...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-7khA9g8m4
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