Welcome to our Pretty Things Survivors Do inaugural blog hop! We are glad you’re here.

If you made it here from Perky Penny Paper Arts, you’re in the right place!

PTSD is a “psychiatric disorder that can occur in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event such as a natural disaster, serious accident, terrorist act, war/combat, rape or other violent personal assault.” (American Psychiatric Association definition)

Although mostly associated with war veterans, it affects 3.5% of the population and 4% of US children ages 13-18 will experience PTSD in their lifetime. About 8 million adults have PTSD during a given year. (Brain and Behavior Research Foundation)

The holidays are a difficult time for those living with PTSD. We are participating in the blog hop in the hopes that you may be reminded to reach out to loved ones, neighbors, and friends who could be living with PTSD daily. If one person is remembered this holiday season, then we have achieved our goal of spreading awareness. Below you will find different ways you can help those with PTSD.

Art Therapy - Card Making

I chose the Stampendous image because of my children. Having had a difficult upbringing, I wanted to be the best mother I could. At the early age of 20 when I had my daughter, I took parenting classes, read Dr. Spock, listened to advice from good mothers, and most of all decided that I wouldn’t be anything less than what she deserved.

When my son was born after 7 losses, I knew that all I wanted to do was have the opportunity to raise him. We color almost every chance we get. It’s our time and we use art as a medium to grow the bond, between mother and son. He has had his own stamps since a year old! He is also a very good painter.

My life is a stark contrast to the way I grew up. It was hard realizing the abuse I had been subjected to but I chose to change the narrative. It wasn’t easy, I was lonely for many years, but a pencil in hand seemed to provide healing so I kept drawing. I didn’t originally choose this image, I chose a warrior, but knowing that children of abuse always suffer with not being good enough, I am glad I stuck with it. The peace and hope that my faith gave me and continues to give me, is one of the many reasons that I have had the chance at a more fulfilling life. It wasn’t easy, many years of therapy were needed as well as spiritual counseling, but looking back at the way things were, to the way they are now, it was worth it.

I pray that you find comfort and solace in art as I have. Thank you for joining us!

Please leave a comment if you would like to learn more about how I overcame suffering with PTSD to thriving. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end of the Youtube Video!

If you would like here is the full blog list:

The blog hop list is as follows:

1. Sandy Allnock

http://sandyallnock.com/winter-cardinal-watercolor-prettythingssurvivorsmake

2. Josefine Fouarge

http://holylise.com/pretty-things-survivors-do/

3. Rubeena Ianigro

http://www.arareruby.com/

4. Leigh Houston

https://stitchesinpaper.blogspot.com/2018/12/pretty-things-survivors-do-blog-hop.html

5. Mamie Carson Wadsworth

https://onejoyousskip.wordpress.com/

6. Tania Ahmed

https://taniaahmeddesigns.blogspot.com/2018/12/pretty-things-survivors-do.html B

7. Ana Reese

http://www.gluegundiva.com/be-free-pretty-things-survivors-do-blog-hop

8. Tracy Freeman

http://inkyfingersandribbon.com/2018/12/07/pretty-things-survivors-do-blog-hop

9. Amy Tsuruta

https://tsurutadesigns.blogspot.com/2018/12/pretty-things-survivors-do-blog-hop.html

10. Tracie Pond

http://www.tracieponddesigns.com/?p=3560

11. Sharna Waksmulski

http://cardsbysharna.blogspot.com/

12. Alix Davis

http://alixsworld.com/pretty-things-survivors-make-blog-hop

13. Janette Kausen

https://janettekausen.com/pretty-things-survivors-do-blog-hop-giveaway/

14. Mayra Duran-Hernandez

http://mayrasdesigns.blogspot.com/

15. Kimberly Wiener

https://wienerhoneymooners.blogspot.com/2018/12/prettythingssurvivorsdo-blog-hop.html

16. Seeka

https://skypaperscissors.com/2018/12/07/pretty-things-survivors-do-blog-hop/

17. Joanne Maree Soukup

http://www.perkypennypaperarts.com/2018/12/pretty-things-survivors-do-blog-hop.html

18. Crissy Salima Smith

http://www.iheartscraps.com/blog/2018/12/6/prettythingssurvivorsdo-blog-hop

Thank you for joining us! If you know someone who lives with PTSD and would like ways to support them, please visit the following sites and remember to reach out to a neighbor, friend or family member during this holiday season, you could make a difference in their day.

The National Institute of Mental Health https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml

US Department of Veteran Affairs https://www.ptsd.va.gov/

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Here is a list of products used on this Card:
Neenah Solar White 110lb: (The best for bases and for Polychromos!) https://amzn.to/2EiJd86

Faber Castell Polychromos: https://amzn.to/2L2NtZR