bandbacktogether

I Am The Face Of: Hypertension

In the United States about 78 million adults have high blood pressure, which can lead to heart and kidney damage.

This is her story.

If we’re getting technical about it, my chart says “Primary Idiopathic Hypertension.” Translated, that means “We have no idea why your blood pressure is high. Here are some pills.”

I’ve had high blood pressure since I was eighteen.

In the beginning, no one even tried to figure out why. My doctor at the time just looked at my readings, said it probably explained my headaches, and sent me home with some medication. It worked, so I took it and didn’t think anything about it.

Source: bandbacktogether.com

My Mom

With Mother’s Day lurking about, I thought I’d share a story about mine.

If you’ve read my other posts for The Band or checked out my profile, you know my mother has Multiple Sclerosis. She was diagnosed somewhere around 1989, although I’m not sure of the exact date. I remember she’d gotten the MS diagnosis after I’d finished kindergarten because she’d stopped driving and I’d learned to walk to school.

Sadly, her case of MS is now so advanced that there’s no real treatment available.

I’ll admit that my relationship with my mother isn’t the best, which shocks most people. However, I’m sure some can relate to our story. I love my mother; I know I’m lucky to have her, but the chronic MS has taken away so much that it’s left a huge hole in our relationship.

Source: bandbacktogether.com

Why Can’t I Just Feel Like Me Again?

Rape is a trauma that lasts with you a lifetime.

This is her story (trigger warning):

About a year ago, my best friend was really into this older guy, and I didn’t want to be around him; he gave me the creeps. But she always said, “Come on! I don’t want to go alone,” so I’d give in and hang out with them.

She’d always been a horrible friend, but I suppose I didn’t care (don’t worry, because thanks to my current wonderfully supportive, long- term boyfriend, I’ve since gotten her out of my life.)

Source: bandbacktogether.com

How to heal from rape or sexual assault

(This is an excerpt from a resource page at Band Back Together. Find more here: resource pages at BB2G)

How To Recover From A Rape/Sexual Assault:

If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault, you may not know how to feel normal again. You may feel that the emotional pain of a rape or sexual assault will never go away. You may feel shame, depression, anxiety and fear after the attack. No matter how you feel, know that things will become better, you will learn to heal, and life will go on in your new normal.

Here are some tips for recovering from a rape or sexual assault:

Physically:

Seek medical attention - even if you do not want to take the assault to the police, you must be seen by a doctor to receive care for any injuries and to be tested (and receive treatment) for any sexually transmitted infections.

Read more about sexually transmitted infections.

Source: bandbacktogether.com

What Is It About Rape?

This post contains information of a graphic nature.

Please do not continue reading unless you understand that sensitive content about rape is contained below. That said, please support this brave woman as she shares her story.

Rape is more that just physical violation, it also has devastating mental and emotional effects.

This is her story.

What is it about rape that is so hurtful?

Source: bandbacktogether.com

Another Layer

Sometimes, we at the Band know that part of owning who you are is admitting it to the world. It’s one reason why we at The Band work tirelessly to break down stigmas and find the ties that connect us all, the ties that remind us that we are none of us alone.

Please join us in standing tall and proud as we tell the world who we are.

What are you, The Band, The Face Of?

I am fairly open, I am aware that the only way people are going to understand various things is to have people speak out about them to be the face of them.

Source: bandbacktogether.com

I Was Raped

Up to twenty percent of all men will be raped in their lifetime.

This is his story:

Three days ago, I went out with some friends. We ended up at a local bar where I used to work. Working there meant that I got to know the locals - one in particular, a older man named John.

I always thought he was a cool, chill guy who liked talking to me.

I was wrong.

Source: bandbacktogether.com

A Dose Of Happy: Summertime

<a href="http://bandbacktogether.com/post/3839//"><img src="http://static.bandbacktogether.com/media/images/2013/02/Dose_Of_Happy_Monday.jpg"></a>

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gaywrites:

For those who need a reminder today.

(via melody-sillermoon)

Source: gaywrites

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(via mikynhas)

Sounds of Freedom

The Band asked me what freedom means to me.

I’m an Air Force brat. My first step-father was in the service when he married my mother, and our family lived overseas with him for most of my elementary school years.

Though he retired shortly after we returned to the States, we still lived near an Air Force base. I grew up hearing the sounds of jets Monday through Friday and the occasional weekend. We went to the Air Shows, and I stood in reverence as we were given tours of the jets.

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About

Band Back Together is a group weblog that provides educational resources as well as a safe, moderated, supportive environment to share stories of survival. Through the power of real stories written by real people, we can work together to destigmatize mental illness, abuse, rape, baby loss and other traumas so that we may learn, grow, and heal.

On Band Back Together, we put a face to things not normally discussed. We are the face of depression. We are the face of baby loss. We are the face of mental illness. We are the face of abuse. We are the face of rape. We are the face of SURVIVORS and we are proud to be here. We wear our scars proudly, like battle wounds because everything we've survived has made us who we are today: better, stronger, and smarter.

It's time to pull our skeletons out of the closet and make them dance the tango.

We will no longer let our secrets fester inside. We will no longer live in the dark.

All are welcome.

Me, Elsewhere

The Band Back Together Project, its host, editors, moderators, staff and volunteers are not responsible for any decisions you make directly or indirectly as a result of content on this site. This site does not claim to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical or emotional problems. The site is not intended to replace the care of a doctor, psychologist, counselor, or other health-care professional, nor the advice of legal counsel. . Effector Theme by Carlo Franco.