My name is Dr Mike Kirse. I’m a 60-year-old man who is still recovering from the emotional and spiritual damage done to me in my middle teenage years from sexual abuse by two priests. I am, and have always considered myself, a victim. That changed a little over a year ago when I started attending a support group called Journey to Bethany.
Because of them, I now look at myself as a survivor which has a much more positive connotation to me than victim.
This is one small step closer to finding healing, which I have struggled to find since the sexual abuse happened to me. In my experience Journey to Bethany has been a source of group therapy which has aided me in the healing process through sharing my story, my sufferings, and my thoughts. I feel comfortable sharing them with other people with similar life experiences. The healing process is a journey, and it may well be a journey that I am on until the day I die. I’m thankful Journey to Bethany found me and that I was open to giving it a try.
Things I like about Journey to Bethany – number one is the support group that welcomes to its monthly meetings all survivors, family members of the survivor, and other people who support the survivor. Secondly, as a group we were invited to help set up rules and create boundaries for our meetings to create a safe environment so that everyone can participate as they feel ready to do so. Thirdly meetings are led by people who have experience in matters of sexual abuse. And fourth, it’s an ongoing means to help heal our brokenness.
These are just a few of the many things that I like about and continue to benefit from through Journey to Bethany. If you would like to speak to me more about Journey to Bethany, then you can get my phone number from Jennifer Prusa or Whitney True-Francis. I will be more than happy to help meet your needs in any way I can.
Thank you.
Dr. Mike Kirse, Survivor Gathering Participant, Survivor Advisory Group Member
