Five days I spent in Geneva last week were full of learning, connecting with old friends and making new ones, and exploring intellectually challenging, yet exciting ideas with kindred souls. But something bigger than my personal experiences deserves special mention.
I saw the survivor movement take off, sort of unintentionally really. Seven survivors pioneers were there, from four continents but with joined fate. These people are some of the best teachers and best students I’ve had. They’ve inspired me with their resilience and commitment to survivorship.
During the meeting, I felt proud to see that even as they take on different jobs, and move on, they still embody survivorship and belief in survivor rights. We worked closely with one another and jointly pushed the survivor rights agenda, and we are natural allies, because our roots are the same. I could see that the connections that were set in place in the past have persisted and I felt among family.
These pioneers are swimming in different waters now, and bringing the message of survivorship to different ears. Such is the nature of movements, they take twists and turns, and it takes some time to recognize their reach. I think I witnessed survivor movement reach broaden a bit one May in Geneva.
They, along with many more survivors I’ve had the honor to meet and work with over the years, have taken their wounds, and made something great with them - gave back to their fellow survivors. They inspired other survivors to donate their time and money and serve their community with gratitude.
They made their own voices heard around the world, in front of regular people and heads of states alike, speaking with knowledge and conviction for survivor rights. I am privileged to have worked with them and hope our paths will cross again soon.
