| Author | Message | ||
     gayatgcc Member Username: gayatgcc Post Number: 58 Registered: 7-2007 Posted From: 74.14.92.60 |
I’ve been glued to a computer in a local coffee shop (sadly, my computer has been shipped back to Dell for repairs). I’m sitting here in my quaint local café, sipping away on a mocha late, and I have just asked myself the following question, “So, what happens now?” Here we all are, (hard to count), but close to 50 (maybe more), saddened by our pasts, haunted by our pasts, hurt by our pasts. The bandages that we all applied 30, 20, 10 years ago have all been ripped off and we’re coming to the realization that we are all wounded. Some of us have “scabbed over” the wounds and become cynical about the whole situation while others are trying to find ways (that don’t lead us to old vices) of coping with these overwhelming times. Where do we go from here? Does all of this talk just taper off after the GCC closing ceremony? Will any of us truly heal? I am not an activist. I am not a healer. I am a saddened, hurt, confused, and tired person. There must be a way (besides typing on FactNet or giving the Globe and Mail their front page for the next few weeks). I want nothing more than to put the hurt and pain of GCC behind me. I want to know that everyone else who was hurt is finding peace and beginning to heal. Why does this seem impossible? What is the next (and healing) step for all of us? For me? GayAtGcc (Stepping out of the closet) Tyler Holmes tyty_65@hotmail.com | ||
| survivor1101 New member Username: survivor1101 Post Number: 4 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 76.65.199.38 |
I was asking myself the very same thing. After today, after all of this goes quiet, what then? How do we process and move on? Do we just move on? I do not want to stay angry, or hurt. I want closure, an end to the dreams and flashbacks. I want to be able to face forward at last. There have been a lot of whispers about Class Action Lawsuits, something to pay for the healing we all need. I had the crazy notion for one brief moment after reading Gord Mintz's statement, about what to do with the buildings. I wanted to write to him and tell him to open a healing center to help all those who are walking wounded as a result of what happened to them at Grenville. Good question. What Now? | ||
| still_standing New member Username: still_standing Post Number: 9 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 74.99.129.19 |
Why not create a meeting place once every 4/6 weeks for GCC survivors to get together so they have a safe place to re-connect or be able to share.(In cities across Canada)...........Meet a a bar or hall......something that will make everyone at ease. Just initate it and hope that people will feel welcome and want to join in. | ||
| still_standing New member Username: still_standing Post Number: 10 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 74.99.129.19 |
Why not create a meeting place once every 4/6 weeks for GCC survivors to get together so they have a safe place to re-connect or be able to share.(In cities across Canada)...........Meet a a bar or hall......something that will make everyone at ease. Just initate it and hope that people will feel welcome and want to join in. | ||
| rozpriceenglish Member Username: rozpriceenglish Post Number: 92 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 172.164.76.180 |
gayatgcc - very timely... could we use the alumni association as a way to stay connected, continue to meet, and find healing in sharing and supporting each other? i would certainly be very willing, eager really, to host something in my neck of the woods to give people a chance to connect and heal. perhaps there could be some sort of 'conference' for gcc alumni who need help, with a cult-trained counselor/speaker? | ||
| gayatgcc Member Username: gayatgcc Post Number: 59 Registered: 7-2007 Posted From: 74.14.92.60 |
Personally, I don't think the GCC Alumni Assoc is the way to go. This needs to be specifically "help group" ... i would think. I've never done an Alumni event and never will. Alumni to me celebrates your time at GCC. This is not a celebration. (I say this with true feeling and do not mean for it to sound rude -- that's why meeting in person would be great -- it is sometimes very difficult to know what someway is saying, when they're typing it!). | ||
| cryfreedom Member Username: cryfreedom Post Number: 66 Registered: 6-2006 Posted From: 24.226.27.60 |
HEY "GAYATGCC" ------I totally understand where you are coming from. I have NEVER been to an Alumni and asked NOT to receive the mailing as I just wanted to leave that all behind me. I think it should be something set up outside of that. By the way I have laughed, cried and smiled at your posts over the last few weeks. You are a wonderful man who I wish happiness for in the future!! Take care------Dawn | ||
| sandrabrownearly New member Username: sandrabrownearly Post Number: 13 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 72.66.131.168 |
Tyler...I don't know you, but I love you! My heart truly goes out to you. You will find healing. I just know it! You don't have to be an activist to help someone else, whether a fellow GCC alumni or someone else that is "stepping out of the closet." You have so much knowledge and wisdom from all you've been through...use that...turn it into something good. I think you already have. Right here on this forum. Thank you...for all you do and for who you are. Sandra (Brown) Early P.S. Is it just me, or is anyone else in the mood for a mocha late? | ||
| tabby1979 Member Username: tabby1979 Post Number: 54 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 70.69.121.31 |
I think Standing Still has a good idea, if we have get togethers once in while just to meet...and reconnect and to meet other students that werent in the same years. I think just the reconnection for now would be good for many of us. But we need to focus on the healing and finding peace for others who are having a difficult time. We need to focus on moving on but with the support of each other. | ||
| denise New member Username: denise Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2007 Posted From: 69.156.57.30 |
I am a parent of a former Gcc student, and a former nurse ( if that means anything) . After reading these posts I have said some things under Globe and Mail. What I would like to say here is that I think this site has been 2 things. One an opening of memories that you buried and have been brought back, some good and some bad BUT the good thing about this site is that you have all reconnected again...you are talking and sharing and giving support to each other. This is not only good but very healing as you can identify with one another. And the love I see between all of you, especially now as adults makes my heart feel better. You can help one another whether in person or by writing. It gives clarifiacation, openness to situations and a sense of " speaking out" which you have been denied as kids in the school. Venting is good , and necessary before healing can start but to talk to each other like this is more helpful than anything and as I said seems to have brought you all closer to one another....good for you! I am proud of this group...you should be too. | ||
| gayatgcc Member Username: gayatgcc Post Number: 60 Registered: 7-2007 Posted From: 74.14.92.60 |
I am 100% supportive of starting a group in my area for people who want to talk, get things off their chests ... a support group. Ottawa area. Tyler. | ||
| survivor1101 New member Username: survivor1101 Post Number: 9 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 76.65.199.38 |
I would be willing to either start or support a group in Toronto, if other people would like to discuss please email me. marion.morton@gmail.com | ||
| rozpriceenglish Member Username: rozpriceenglish Post Number: 99 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 172.129.132.14 |
My husband and I are willing to start and/or support a group in the in greater NY/PA area. We are 3 hours from NY city. pricenglish@netscape.com | ||
| wagener84 Member Username: wagener84 Post Number: 67 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 199.214.192.50 |
Any Albertan's out there..give me a call anytime or email me. Michael.Wagener@gov.ab.ca I encourage everyone who has suffered from a broken spirit to please seek the help needed to heal and find peace. Please try to avoid too much anger or hate. Hatred and anger will destroy you and quell any inner healing. I am very emotional and must remind myself of this daily. As much as you need to confront your demons, ultimately you must also be willing to forgive. Peace | ||
| former_gcc_grl Junior Member Username: former_gcc_grl Post Number: 26 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 64.231.104.176 |
I'm in London Ontario and would love to establish a group for people in South Western Ontario. If there's anyone else around here interested please get in touch with me. ebloch813@hotmail.com | ||
| vancouver New member Username: vancouver Post Number: 8 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 216.113.168.128 |
I'd love to either help establish or participate in a group out here on the coast in the Greater Vancouver / Lower Mainland. Anyone wants to chat, I'm at rumbledog@hotmail.com | ||
| dignityquest New member Username: dignityquest Post Number: 25 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 99.245.112.186 |
Wagener: You are so awesome. I too have to watch my emotional temprement. Forgiveness means different things for people. Fo me, I more get to a place where I can move on rather than the traditional sense of forgiveness. Healing is the name of the game. Have even now talked to a few of you on the phone. That was awesome. A Toronto group is in the works. We can network with others. Still love to talk Mike, maybe our e mails are not compatable. Are you on Facebook? Cheers, DQ (Jeff) | ||
| gayatgcc Member Username: gayatgcc Post Number: 69 Registered: 7-2007 Posted From: 76.66.37.28 |
So, anyone (beside BettyBoop) in Ottawa interest in meeting face-to-face to chat? | ||
| survivor1101 New member Username: survivor1101 Post Number: 21 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 76.65.199.38 |
I had a thought today. Yay! /end sarcasm I thought that if we were to form a cohesive group, then we would have more of a voice than we do as individuals. If we had one person who speaks on our bahalf of a cohesive group. Anyone see where I am going? |
