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Being vulnerable gave me freedom from sexual abuse and bullying | Jill Prescott | TEDxStanleyPark


bad secrets destroyed lives they ruin

bad secrets destroyed lives they ruin relationships they cost you your health

relationships they cost you your health

relationships they cost you your health and they steal your dreams its 1975 in

and they steal your dreams its 1975 in

and they steal your dreams its 1975 in Wallace burg Ontario population ten

Wallace burg Ontario population ten

Wallace burg Ontario population ten thousand two hundred I’m nine years old

thousand two hundred I’m nine years old

thousand two hundred I’m nine years old just about to turn ten it’s the middle

just about to turn ten it’s the middle

just about to turn ten it’s the middle of the summer and it is sweltering hot

of the summer and it is sweltering hot

of the summer and it is sweltering hot one of those summers where you could see

one of those summers where you could see

one of those summers where you could see the heat rising off the pavement I’m at

the heat rising off the pavement I’m at

the heat rising off the pavement I’m at my neighbor Sarah’s place and she was

my neighbor Sarah’s place and she was

my neighbor Sarah’s place and she was the oldest of a group of girls that I

the oldest of a group of girls that I

the oldest of a group of girls that I hung out with for most of that summer

hung out with for most of that summer

hung out with for most of that summer we’re in Sarah’s bedroom and I’m propped

we’re in Sarah’s bedroom and I’m propped

we’re in Sarah’s bedroom and I’m propped up on top of her dresser Sarah’s sitting

up on top of her dresser Sarah’s sitting

up on top of her dresser Sarah’s sitting on the bed with two of the other girls

on the bed with two of the other girls

on the bed with two of the other girls and her finger is on the play button of

and her finger is on the play button of

and her finger is on the play button of the ghettoblaster and kiss the rock fan

the ghettoblaster and kiss the rock fan

the ghettoblaster and kiss the rock fan of the day is ready to play they’re all

of the day is ready to play they’re all

of the day is ready to play they’re all smiling and laughing and having a great

smiling and laughing and having a great

smiling and laughing and having a great time and I’m pretending because I know

time and I’m pretending because I know

time and I’m pretending because I know that once again something bad is about

that once again something bad is about

that once again something bad is about to happen to me Sarah yells Jill stand

to happen to me Sarah yells Jill stand

to happen to me Sarah yells Jill stand up my face flushes I can feel the sweat

up my face flushes I can feel the sweat

up my face flushes I can feel the sweat beating up on my skin and starting to

beating up on my skin and starting to

beating up on my skin and starting to soak through my tank top and my shorts

soak through my tank top and my shorts

soak through my tank top and my shorts when you hear the music start dancing my

when you hear the music start dancing my

when you hear the music start dancing my whole body is shaking and I feel like

whole body is shaking and I feel like

whole body is shaking and I feel like I’m going to throw up when the song

I’m going to throw up when the song

I’m going to throw up when the song blasts from the speaker now move your

blasts from the speaker now move your

blasts from the speaker now move your hips and circles lick your lips slowly

hips and circles lick your lips slowly

hips and circles lick your lips slowly start taking off your top

unbutton your pants start playing with

unbutton your pants start playing with yourself

yourself

yourself I said go slow if you are naked before

I said go slow if you are naked before

I said go slow if you are naked before the song ends you’re starting all over

finally the song ends and I’m naked my

finally the song ends and I’m naked my clothes my dignity my self-respect lying

clothes my dignity my self-respect lying

clothes my dignity my self-respect lying on the floor in front of me and then you

on the floor in front of me and then you

on the floor in front of me and then you know the rules Jill never tell anyone or

know the rules Jill never tell anyone or

know the rules Jill never tell anyone or else my innocent childhood ended that

else my innocent childhood ended that

else my innocent childhood ended that summer was one of many times those girls

summer was one of many times those girls

summer was one of many times those girls abused me and for years I told no one I

abused me and for years I told no one I

abused me and for years I told no one I believe

believe

believe secrets must be kept but all secrets

secrets must be kept but all secrets

secrets must be kept but all secrets have an impact there are good secrets

have an impact there are good secrets

have an impact there are good secrets like the family recipe for meatballs

like the family recipe for meatballs

like the family recipe for meatballs that’s been passed down from generation

that’s been passed down from generation

that’s been passed down from generation to generation those kind of Secrets they

to generation those kind of Secrets they

to generation those kind of Secrets they create a bond in the family a sense of

create a bond in the family a sense of

create a bond in the family a sense of pride and intrigue good secrets don’t

pride and intrigue good secrets don’t

pride and intrigue good secrets don’t hurt anyone and then there are bad

hurt anyone and then there are bad

hurt anyone and then there are bad secrets bad secrets will destroy you

secrets bad secrets will destroy you

secrets bad secrets will destroy you I became Moody and sullen I didn’t trust

I became Moody and sullen I didn’t trust

I became Moody and sullen I didn’t trust anyone I didn’t still feel safe in the

anyone I didn’t still feel safe in the

anyone I didn’t still feel safe in the world anymore and I built a wall of

world anymore and I built a wall of

world anymore and I built a wall of guilt and shame between myself and

guilt and shame between myself and

guilt and shame between myself and everybody else I was often sick sore

everybody else I was often sick sore

everybody else I was often sick sore throats I would lose my voice I battled

throats I would lose my voice I battled

throats I would lose my voice I battled bouts of pneumonia and severe stomach

bouts of pneumonia and severe stomach

bouts of pneumonia and severe stomach issues my secrets were destroying me and

issues my secrets were destroying me and

issues my secrets were destroying me and I believed I would take them to my grave

I believed I would take them to my grave

I believed I would take them to my grave what I know now that I didn’t know them

what I know now that I didn’t know them

what I know now that I didn’t know them was that once I started keeping secrets

was that once I started keeping secrets

was that once I started keeping secrets I would become secretive instead of

I would become secretive instead of

I would become secretive instead of being open

being open

being open transparence I became shut down and

transparence I became shut down and

transparence I became shut down and closed off I was easy prey for

closed off I was easy prey for

closed off I was easy prey for exploitation after that summer I was

exploitation after that summer I was

exploitation after that summer I was bullied and harassed daily at school

bullied and harassed daily at school

bullied and harassed daily at school it’s easy to take advantage of somebody

it’s easy to take advantage of somebody

it’s easy to take advantage of somebody who’s always afraid and scared it’s what

who’s always afraid and scared it’s what

who’s always afraid and scared it’s what predators are looking for at 16 I was

predators are looking for at 16 I was

predators are looking for at 16 I was raped by then I was programmed to keep

raped by then I was programmed to keep

raped by then I was programmed to keep secrets and I kept that one too in order

secrets and I kept that one too in order

secrets and I kept that one too in order to get away from the pain to not feel so

to get away from the pain to not feel so

to get away from the pain to not feel so much in my life I turn to random sex

much in my life I turn to random sex

much in my life I turn to random sex alcohol drugs sex can be a cry for

alcohol drugs sex can be a cry for

alcohol drugs sex can be a cry for connection alcohol and escape and drugs

connection alcohol and escape and drugs

connection alcohol and escape and drugs a sedative when you feel like you’re

a sedative when you feel like you’re

a sedative when you feel like you’re broken inside high school became

broken inside high school became

broken inside high school became unbearable I dropped out never even

unbearable I dropped out never even

unbearable I dropped out never even graduated more secrets more guilt more

graduated more secrets more guilt more

graduated more secrets more guilt more shame by the time I was 27 years old I’d

shame by the time I was 27 years old I’d

shame by the time I was 27 years old I’d hit rock bottom no friends disconnected

hit rock bottom no friends disconnected

hit rock bottom no friends disconnected from my family on antidepressants and at

from my family on antidepressants and at

from my family on antidepressants and at the same time drinking like every day

the same time drinking like every day

the same time drinking like every day was Saturday night I had two choices

was Saturday night I had two choices

was Saturday night I had two choices continue to self-destruct or make a

continue to self-destruct or make a

continue to self-destruct or make a change I picked myself up off the floor

change I picked myself up off the floor

change I picked myself up off the floor walked into the kitchen open the drawer

walked into the kitchen open the drawer

walked into the kitchen open the drawer and I pulled out the yellow pages side

and I pulled out the yellow pages side

and I pulled out the yellow pages side note for those of you that don’t know

note for those of you that don’t know

note for those of you that don’t know what the yellow pages are it’s what we

what the yellow pages are it’s what we

what the yellow pages are it’s what we used to find people before we had Google

used to find people before we had Google

used to find people before we had Google [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] I opened up the Yellow Pages and section

I opened up the Yellow Pages and section

I opened up the Yellow Pages and section on councilors and I called for help I’ll

on councilors and I called for help I’ll

on councilors and I called for help I’ll never forget the day I walked into dr.

never forget the day I walked into dr.

never forget the day I walked into dr. David’s office he’s 50 ish balding

David’s office he’s 50 ish balding

David’s office he’s 50 ish balding horn-rimmed glasses and wearing a

horn-rimmed glasses and wearing a

horn-rimmed glasses and wearing a sweater vest in the middle of the summer

sweater vest in the middle of the summer

sweater vest in the middle of the summer and our fairy verse session he said Jill

and our fairy verse session he said Jill

and our fairy verse session he said Jill tell me about your life man I’ve never

tell me about your life man I’ve never

tell me about your life man I’ve never told anyone I felt incredibly vulnerable

told anyone I felt incredibly vulnerable

told anyone I felt incredibly vulnerable as naked as I had as a nine year old

as naked as I had as a nine year old

as naked as I had as a nine year old dancing on top of that dresser the first

dancing on top of that dresser the first

dancing on top of that dresser the first session I was a mess I could barely

session I was a mess I could barely

session I was a mess I could barely speak couldn’t make eye contact with him

speak couldn’t make eye contact with him

speak couldn’t make eye contact with him it was the hardest thing I’d ever done

it was the hardest thing I’d ever done

it was the hardest thing I’d ever done second session got a little bit easier

second session got a little bit easier

second session got a little bit easier and by the third I told him all my

and by the third I told him all my

and by the third I told him all my secrets debut set 9 the bullying the

secrets debut set 9 the bullying the

secrets debut set 9 the bullying the rape at 16 and the years of random sex

rape at 16 and the years of random sex

rape at 16 and the years of random sex alcohol drugs it was horrible and

liberating I could feel the tension

liberating I could feel the tension leaving my body for the first time I

leaving my body for the first time I

leaving my body for the first time I could breathe for the first time in my

could breathe for the first time in my

could breathe for the first time in my life I knew none of it was my fault

life I knew none of it was my fault

life I knew none of it was my fault no this it is a lie that secrets should

no this it is a lie that secrets should

no this it is a lie that secrets should be kept it is a lie that you should

be kept it is a lie that you should

be kept it is a lie that you should never tell when I found the courage to

never tell when I found the courage to

never tell when I found the courage to tell dr. David I started really wanting

tell dr. David I started really wanting

tell dr. David I started really wanting to know who I was and what I wanted in

to know who I was and what I wanted in

to know who I was and what I wanted in the world to start living I am more than

the world to start living I am more than

the world to start living I am more than my secrets you are more than your

my secrets you are more than your

my secrets you are more than your secrets and when you release yourself

secrets and when you release yourself

secrets and when you release yourself from them you get your life back and no

from them you get your life back and no

from them you get your life back and no freedom

there are good secrets and bad secrets

there are good secrets and bad secrets so how do you tell the difference

so how do you tell the difference

so how do you tell the difference listen to your see is your central

listen to your see is your central

listen to your see is your central intelligence system we all have one it’s

intelligence system we all have one it’s

intelligence system we all have one it’s how your body talks to you and then when

how your body talks to you and then when

how your body talks to you and then when you hear what it’s saying you decide

you hear what it’s saying you decide

you hear what it’s saying you decide what to do about it do you ever feel

what to do about it do you ever feel

what to do about it do you ever feel like you’ve done something wrong like

like you’ve done something wrong like

like you’ve done something wrong like you’re a bad person even though

you’re a bad person even though

you’re a bad person even though logically that doesn’t make any sense

fear anxiety they can show up as a

fear anxiety they can show up as a tightness in the throat sore throats

tightness in the throat sore throats

tightness in the throat sore throats getting colds difficulty breathing

getting colds difficulty breathing

getting colds difficulty breathing stomach issues like indigestion even

stomach issues like indigestion even

stomach issues like indigestion even irritable bowel syndrome I had many of

irritable bowel syndrome I had many of

irritable bowel syndrome I had many of those symptoms of keeping bad secrets

those symptoms of keeping bad secrets

those symptoms of keeping bad secrets from the time I was 9 years old well

from the time I was 9 years old well

from the time I was 9 years old well into my adult years don’t let that

into my adult years don’t let that

into my adult years don’t let that happen to you or anyone you love listen

happen to you or anyone you love listen

happen to you or anyone you love listen to your central intelligence system and

to your central intelligence system and

to your central intelligence system and then speak the truth it will be horrible

then speak the truth it will be horrible

then speak the truth it will be horrible and liberating keeping God’s secrets has

and liberating keeping God’s secrets has

and liberating keeping God’s secrets has a negative impact on your relationships

a negative impact on your relationships

a negative impact on your relationships and your health you might think that you

and your health you might think that you

and your health you might think that you don’t deserve to be loved either by

don’t deserve to be loved either by

don’t deserve to be loved either by yourself or anyone else I certainly

yourself or anyone else I certainly

yourself or anyone else I certainly didn’t you could shut down give up on

didn’t you could shut down give up on

didn’t you could shut down give up on your dreams that is a huge price to pay

your dreams that is a huge price to pay

your dreams that is a huge price to pay you will lose your ability to develop

you will lose your ability to develop

you will lose your ability to develop deep intimate connected relationships

deep intimate connected relationships

deep intimate connected relationships keeping bad secrets can lead to stress

keeping bad secrets can lead to stress

keeping bad secrets can lead to stress and anxiety severe illnesses and even

and anxiety severe illnesses and even

and anxiety severe illnesses and even heart disease they often lead to self

heart disease they often lead to self

heart disease they often lead to self abuse in the form of addictions

abuse in the form of addictions

abuse in the form of addictions everything from food to alcohol to drugs

everything from food to alcohol to drugs

everything from food to alcohol to drugs and as crazy as it might sound the

and as crazy as it might sound the

and as crazy as it might sound the consequences can be the same as the

consequences can be the same as the

consequences can be the same as the secret you might become an addict as a

secret you might become an addict as a

secret you might become an addict as a result of keeping a secret about being

result of keeping a secret about being

result of keeping a secret about being abused

abused

abused and now you’re keeping a secret about

and now you’re keeping a secret about

and now you’re keeping a secret about being an addict secrets on top of

being an addict secrets on top of

being an addict secrets on top of secrets on top of secret until you are

secrets on top of secret until you are

secrets on top of secret until you are destroyed by them and then their suicide

destroyed by them and then their suicide

destroyed by them and then their suicide second – car crash is the most common

second – car crash is the most common

second – car crash is the most common cause of death among young people in

cause of death among young people in

cause of death among young people in Canada today is suicide due to bullying

Canada today is suicide due to bullying

Canada today is suicide due to bullying secrets are literally killing us and

secrets are literally killing us and

secrets are literally killing us and death isn’t the worst of it

death isn’t the worst of it

death isn’t the worst of it so what could possibly be worse than

so what could possibly be worse than

so what could possibly be worse than death

death

death failing to live

failing to live

failing to live don’t let secrets ruin your life don’t

don’t let secrets ruin your life don’t

don’t let secrets ruin your life don’t live with regret I know how this feels

live with regret I know how this feels

live with regret I know how this feels I’ve spent over 20 years on my own

I’ve spent over 20 years on my own

I’ve spent over 20 years on my own healing journey it’s been so impactful I

healing journey it’s been so impactful I

healing journey it’s been so impactful I know I will spend the rest of my life

know I will spend the rest of my life

know I will spend the rest of my life helping others I became a hypnotherapist

helping others I became a hypnotherapist

helping others I became a hypnotherapist and then dug deep into the healing arts

and then dug deep into the healing arts

and then dug deep into the healing arts of energy work and intuition this is not

of energy work and intuition this is not

of energy work and intuition this is not just my story

just my story

just my story many people have begun their own healing

many people have begun their own healing

many people have begun their own healing journey by letting go of their secrets

journey by letting go of their secrets

journey by letting go of their secrets Stephanie came to me

Stephanie came to me

Stephanie came to me lost depressed wanting deep connected

lost depressed wanting deep connected

lost depressed wanting deep connected relationships and our very first session

relationships and our very first session

relationships and our very first session I said Stephanie tell me about your life

I said Stephanie tell me about your life

I said Stephanie tell me about your life she closed her eyes and said Jill I just

she closed her eyes and said Jill I just

she closed her eyes and said Jill I just feel so ashamed at 17 Stephanie had been

feel so ashamed at 17 Stephanie had been

feel so ashamed at 17 Stephanie had been raped and for 12 years she had been

raped and for 12 years she had been

raped and for 12 years she had been carrying this secret with her and it was

carrying this secret with her and it was

carrying this secret with her and it was destroying her when she found the

destroying her when she found the

destroying her when she found the courage to tell me she said I feel like

courage to tell me she said I feel like

courage to tell me she said I feel like a hundred pound weight has been lifted

a hundred pound weight has been lifted

a hundred pound weight has been lifted from my body her whole face changed it

from my body her whole face changed it

from my body her whole face changed it was like witnessing a miracle over the

was like witnessing a miracle over the

was like witnessing a miracle over the next while she went through the

next while she went through the

next while she went through the processes of understanding release

processes of understanding release

processes of understanding release forgiveness now stephanie has those deep

forgiveness now stephanie has those deep

forgiveness now stephanie has those deep connected relationships she mentors

connected relationships she mentors

connected relationships she mentors other women who’ve been through what

other women who’ve been through what

other women who’ve been through what she’s been through she’s no longer

she’s been through she’s no longer

she’s been through she’s no longer afraid she is

how do you free yourself begin by

how do you free yourself begin by admitting that you keep secrets no

admitting that you keep secrets no

admitting that you keep secrets no matter how big or small and then you

matter how big or small and then you

matter how big or small and then you must tell someone a friend a therapist

must tell someone a friend a therapist

must tell someone a friend a therapist there’s no other way to release yourself

there’s no other way to release yourself

there’s no other way to release yourself from the burden of Secrets other than to

from the burden of Secrets other than to

from the burden of Secrets other than to speak the truth and I know it’s hard but

speak the truth and I know it’s hard but

speak the truth and I know it’s hard but the worst is over you survived you are

the worst is over you survived you are

the worst is over you survived you are right here right now and it will be

right here right now and it will be

right here right now and it will be horrible and come on liberating yeah one

horrible and come on liberating yeah one

horrible and come on liberating yeah one of the coolest things that happened to

of the coolest things that happened to

of the coolest things that happened to me when I let go of my secrets as I

me when I let go of my secrets as I

me when I let go of my secrets as I started aging backwards at 40 I look 50

started aging backwards at 40 I look 50

started aging backwards at 40 I look 50 now at 50 I look 40

now at 50 I look 40

now at 50 I look 40 yeah

yeah

yeah [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] it’s amazing what happens to you when

it’s amazing what happens to you when

it’s amazing what happens to you when you feel free and you start eating

you feel free and you start eating

you feel free and you start eating properly and sleeping

properly and sleeping

properly and sleeping who needs Botox just it your secrets

look you are more than your secrets and

look you are more than your secrets and the worst is over you’ve survived

the worst is over you’ve survived

the worst is over you’ve survived together we can create a world in which

together we can create a world in which

together we can create a world in which our kids are not afraid to tell a world

our kids are not afraid to tell a world

our kids are not afraid to tell a world where we are not destroyed by our

where we are not destroyed by our

where we are not destroyed by our secrets a world where we help each other

secrets a world where we help each other

secrets a world where we help each other heal creating that world begins with you

heal creating that world begins with you

heal creating that world begins with you find your voice speak your truth release

find your voice speak your truth release

find your voice speak your truth release yourself from your secrets and set

yourself from your secrets and set

yourself from your secrets and set yourself free

”

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