The #1 cause of death for children and teens in America now is from a gun. Not cancer, not car accidents, not mishaps. Guns. Unacceptable!
We are survivors! I know many of you have been affected by gun violence, and I’m so sorry for your loss! February 1-7, 2023 is National Gun Violence Survivors Week. Please, leave us a comment with your loved ones name, and I’ll light a candle tonight in their honor. You can share your story too if you’d like. You can just say why you support this if you don’t have a name, comments help!
My husband completed suicide by a gun, after passing his background check with flying colors, even right after I called the police and told them he was suicidal. He fooled the clerk, as most of them do, and told them he was going hunting. Because there was not, and STILL is not, an open line of communication for 911 to tell the background company not to sell them a gun, because they are a threat to themselves or someone else, he was able to purchase his gun, and end his life. If only there was a way to protect him during his crisis!
I tell you the road a survivor is forced to take after a suicide or murder is nothing short of a nightmare. Matter of fact, it’s so monumentally hard, heart wrenching and guilt ridden, that 64% of people who have lost a loved one to suicide, are more likely to take their OWN LIFE!! I was almost one of them! 85% of them lose their job, go into depression or can’t function. Also was me. It took me a decade from hell to heal from this, after much grief, trauma, healing, self-discovery and personal work. Not to mention the daily challenges with being a single mom!
I’ve had to fight like hell to be here, and by the grace of God 14 years later I am happy, healthy and thriving! Now I help others, write books, speak, and hold space for other survivors, widows, and Highly Sensitive People.
110 Americans die each day from guns. America has mass shootings every day!!! This is UNACCEPTABLE America! We are making huge strides, and we must do more to protect our loved ones and babies from gun violence! It’s time for the survivors to take a stand and share their stories!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SIGNATURE and standing with me to make this much needed communication link and protection and help for our loved ones to happen!
PLEASE SHARE this petition and say why you’re behind it. For this to be successful we need all hands on deck, spreading the word, gathering support and collecting signatures! Thank you!! I absolutely cannot do this without your support and I’m so grateful for it.
To see how you can further help support this week, Everytown Research/Moms Demand Action, and how you can help/support or to share your story, go here -
https://momentsthatsurvive.org/
To learn more about me, the memoir I’m writing - Cake Saved My Life, the petition, how to create space and lighten your stress load, learn more about High Sensitivity or if I can hold space for you for free in Porch Time, please visit my website. If you are a widow, suicide survivor, gun violence survivor, struggle with suicidal thoughts or are a Highly Sensitive Person who is learning how to thrive and love themselves, PLEASE reach out to me for Porch Time. It’s FREE! Link to book is on my website under Porch Time.
Together we can save lives! Guns are not the problem, a lack of empathy, compassion and allostatic load too great, IS. This will take a village, please show kindness first to yourself, and others!
Sincerely and passionately,
Sonja Rice