#survivor-testimony

#survivor-testimony

I WAS DETERMINED to return to Portapique before the snow fell. Anyone who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder will understand why returning to the scene would trigger and heighten the flashbacks, nightmares, and panic attacks I experienced that summer. I knew it would be gruelling and awful, but I felt I needed to go. My sisters Janice and Maureen questioned if I was ready, concerned it would be too much for me.

With 250 people on board, the second locomotive derailed and dragged the rest of the train with it. One of the four passenger cars plunged into a six-meter-deep ravine, and another was left partially suspended. The accident resulted in the deaths of 13 people and left approximately 100 injured, 36 of whom are still receiving medical attention, according to a statement from the Mexican Navy.

For six years, starting in 2007, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission travelled throughout the country, hearing testimonies from over 6,500 people who'd endured Canada's residential school system. Six thousand and five hundred people, believing in the mandate of the commission, courageously testified, thinking that, finally, they would be heard and amends would be made. It's difficult to imagine what that must have been like-reliving the abuses and indignities of what can only be described as internment facilities following a mandate of indoctrination set by the state and implemented by the Church.

"Since it's already being reported - Yes I left the Oversight briefing with Epstein victims early. As a recent survivor (not 2 years in), I had a very difficult time listening to their stories. Full blown panic attack. Sweating. Hyperventilating. Shaking. I can't breathe. I feel the immense pain of how hard all victims are fighting for themselves because we know absolutely no one will fight for us." She concluded: "GOD BLESS ALL SURVIVORS."

"There's nothing but hatred and contempt. There can't be forgiveness for such an act of evil. I really, truly don't believe that. I think forgiveness is something that you earn. Forgiveness is something that you would be genuinely sorry for what's happened. "I believe if he hadn't have killed himself, he'd have gone on to do it again. And I looked at that man in the face before he detonated that bomb and there was no hesitation."

"And this guy came in the middle of the door, and pointed his gun at me. He started shooting around me. I put my hands up and said, 'I'm a cleaning lady. I'm a cleaning lady.' But I realized - he comes with a machine gun. He's not going to know who I am. He's going to shoot, no matter what."