A Survivor’s Journey From Solitude To Belonging
By Adam Keane
Back in April 2021 I wrote a poem, called Tribulation; Endured, that has changed my life. It represented the distillation of my experiences engaging in trauma-based CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) and over the past four years – though I’ve experienced relapses associated with the trauma I experienced – the poem has helped my recovery as a survivor take root.
This blog is dedicated to every survivor whose recovery in this moment, here, now, today, is in bloom – as well as those who remain in solitude alone, weighed down by the gravity of what they’ve experienced. If you take anything away from this blog then take this: you are not alone and, despite the gravity of experience inflicted by rape and sexual abuse, recovery is possible.
What follows is my attempt to articulate how recovery has been made possible for myself.
Creativity: a seed for recovery
As mentioned above, writing Tribulation; Endured has become a seed for my own recovery. The poem helped my recovery take root and that’s because in writing the poem I’ve been able to radically reframe the experience of the trauma and proclaim “this is me,” whilst closing the door on the past and walking into the future.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate since the poem was published to work for employers who have allowed my recovery to take root…
As a support worker working throughout the pandemic, my then employer agreed to match fund any sponsorship I’d raised during my half marathon run for SurvivorsUK. Today as a Civil Servant working at the Met Office I’ve had the opportunity to transform my career through an apprenticeship and in doing so become the world’s first apprentice to complete an apprenticeship in digital accessibility.
My success at the Met Office wouldn’t have been possible without colleagues knowing about what I’ve experienced and together we’ve created space so that I can bring my best self to work… and for me that means drawing on my experience of trauma and working as an advocate for others, so that when they engage and interact with digital content they aren’t excluded from information and knowledge that could be useful.
In doing so my recovery has been integrated into my everyday life and your recovery journey, like a poem, unfolds one line at a time. Whether you’re in the quiet solitude or nurturing the blossoms of progress, remember support is within reach.
Survivors UK offers a compassionate space where your voice is heard, and your strength is honoured. If this post resonates with you, take the next step and visit Survivors UK to find out more about their counselling services, or peer support networks or contact their confidential helpline if you want to speak to someone about your experiences.
