Jackie and Audrey
“I would give you your childhood back.”
Jackie on if she could give Audrey anything.
Audrey loves her own drive and motivation.
Her guilty pleasure is rewatching the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice over and over again.
Jackie feels safe talking about her experiences with her family. Her mother has been her rock. Her sisters–who were there with her ten years ago– understand what she has experienced and remain some of her biggest support. -
Jackie, 17
Jackie loves that she is a reliable, steady person… that the people she loves know they can come to her for anything.
A perfect day for Jackie includes sleeping in and hanging out with the people she loves.
Through her healing process, she has learned that there are so many unconventional kinds of therapy that can help people. She started powerlifting her sophomore year and found that it has been incredibly grounding, and has helped to relieve her anxiety.
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Audrey, 17
She feels powerful when she is writing and sharing her story.
She is afraid of loud noises.
Through her healing process, she has used music to help her through her hardest days.
This experience forced her to enter adulthood at a young age.
To the world, she says: I am not just my trauma. I am so much more than what happened to me.
I want to hug you and hold you and tell you that you are valid as a person and what happened to you does not define you. While time does not necessarily heal all, you will learn to live with this, and you will survive
Audrey to Uvalde students beginning their grieving process.
To other survivors, Audrey says:
“I was in your shoes ten years ago. It hurts me that nothing has changed in the legislature. I want to hug you and hold you and tell you that you are valid as a person and that what happened to you does not define you.
While time does not necessarily heal all, you will learn to live with this, and you will survive.”
To the world, Jackie says:
“All of you saw what happened, but you didn’t do anything about it.
Instead of offering sympathy, offer solutions; whether through coping skills, activism, or change.”
This trauma is like a scar. The wound will heal over in time and you will figure out how to live with it. It will always be a part of you, but it won’t be a raging fire your entire being.
Jackie
What Does the Future Hold?
Audrey wants to be a journalist to use her words to raise awareness and make change.Jackie is excited to keep sharing her experience to help others find relief and feel seen, and to find her own relief by helping others. Inspired by this work?
Help Dear World continue to tell stories like this around the world.