This summer I had the opportunity to share the story behind Rising Strength at the Talbot Senior Summit held at the Talbot Community Center. The Talbot Senior Summit is a day-long program for seniors, caregivers, professionals and children of seniors where they can learn about wellness, safety, technology and staying active. I feel very grateful to live in a community that provides these types of services to the seniors in the community and it was an honor to participate.

I asked Matt and Kathy Herron from Mid-Shore Martial Arts to teach the self-defense portion of the class. I was recommended to link up with Matt by a friend of mine whose children attend Mid-Shore Martial Arts. When I met Matt I was so impressed with his enthusiasm and passion for empowering people through martial arts and knew he would be a great fit for the Rising Strength seminars. Matt and Kathy have a talent for teaching martial arts and work with both children and adults. During the class, Matt and Kathy showed the participants how to properly hit, kick and get out of holds. We reviewed real life situations and how to stay safe. Matt and Kathy could not have done a better job and I look forward to organizing more classes with them.

While sharing my story I mentioned how often I am contacted during or after the events that I organize by people who have survived an attempted or completed assault. To me this has validates the high statistic of 1 in 6 men and women have survived an attempted or completed rape. I never would have believed that statistic until I became a part of it. Soon after I said that a women attending the course raised her hand and asked to share her story. While living in Baltimore she was attacked and forced into her car by an unassuming man in a suit. This woman’s attacker forced her to drive but while she was in the car she remembered how her father in-law, who was in the military, told her that the longer she was with a person trying to hurt her the more likely she would not survive. This brave woman pulled her emergency brake and jumped out of the car and ran to the car behind her. The attacker took off on foot and was not caught.

I am so grateful that this woman survived her attack and was able to share her experience with us at the seminar. Every time I have the opportunity to share my story and organize a self-defense class I feel that I am healing and getting stronger. I hope that the woman who shared her story was able to leave the class feeling the same way. Thank you to the Talbot Senior Summit for asking me to be a part of this years event!