For those of you who have been following this show since the beginning almost 2 years ago, or who have had the opportunity to go back to listen to some of the early episodes, you'll recognize this weeks' guest: Mac McDonald.

Mac was one of the four people who were on a panel of rape survivors who had been assaulted on their respective college campuses in New York state. Each of them has a gripping story of what it means to be raped, then not believed, or blamed for their own assaults. Such was the case with Mac…even her close friends denied or minimized her experience of rape, which only exacerbated previous traumas and sexual assaults she had endured.

But Mac is a fighter. Mac sought help for her trauma experiences, and now is progressing through the hard work of fighting the daily grip of PTSD and downward spirals. She has an amazing support system of therapists and several friends, and of course her original sisterhood of the 3 other people who were on that panel with her. Mac fights her past every day. She leans on her therapists, her friends, and the joy that comes from her job of working with children in a daycare. These children support and lift her up with their innocence and curiosity, their laughter, and their sometimes-brutal honesty of inquiry and exploration. Because of all of this support, Mac not only survives her horrific past, but is thriving and growing every day.

Please listen to this episode in its entirety…that would be greatly appreciated by Mac and myself. Then, as an extra dose of support, please subscribe to this podcast! AND, I want to make you aware of my new Instagram account: @sexualassaultsurvivorstories. I have decided to take additional steps in furthering the power of this podcast and the community of victims and survivors that are guests and listeners of this show, but also for all of you who listen to support victims and survivors, and to learn more about the impact of rape and sexual assault, as well as the power of empathy through being trauma informed. Please visit the new account @sexualassaultsurvivorstories, and hit that FOLLOW button. Then, please take an extra moment to share this account with all of your followers and also ask them to follow @sexualassaultsurvivorstories. There's power in numbers, believe me. And to make an even greater impact in our society, and in order to help bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault, I have set a towering goal of 500,000 followers by the end of October! Don't for a second believe that this cannot be accomplished…because it can!! If you follow, then ask all of your followers to also follow @sexualassaultsurvivorstories, the exponential growth can quickly help us get to this goal! I truly thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your help in this endeavor!!

Here are some links and sites I hope you look at, subscribe to, and read and learn about:

@sexualassaultsurvivorstories (on Instagram)

https://markel-consulting.com

https://www.army.mil/article/233617/army_nco_to_speak_out_against_sexual_assault_at_redstone_kickoff

https://www.arcigrey.com/

https://startbybelieving.org

https://evawintl.org

https://thejanbrobergfoundation.org

https://safeinharmsway.org

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