My first speaking gig...

My first speaking gig...
Curtis St. John

Curtis St. John

President Emeritus
Hey Guys,

I just wanted to let you know that Ill be doing my first speaking engagement May 6th in Kingston NY @ the NAMI-Ulster County Affiliate conference entitled Real Men Experience Trauma: A focus on male victims of trauma and abuse.

The Keynote speaker will be MS board member John F. Crowe, MS, CRC, BCSA

The conference is free and open to anyone interested, here are the details:

Real Men Experience Trauma

Keynote by John Crowe Certified rehab counselor and sexual abuse therapist.

Note: Desk registration is noon-12:30. Opening remarks 12:30-12:45. There will then be a 15-minute grounding exercise conducted by Peri Rainbow. A staffed safe room will be provided throughout the course of the day. Coffee, tea and light refreshment will be offered during a 15-minute break, 3:15-3:30 p.m. between workshop sessions.

ADVANCE REGISTRATIONS RECOMMENDED. PLEASE CALL 845-339-9090, EXT. 115


WORKSHOPS Session A - 2-3:15 PM


1.Gay Male Survivors of Sexual Trauma presented by John Crowe.

This workshop will explore the unique needs of gay men who have experienced sexual violence. Focus will be on issues related to symptom management (addiction), safety issues in a homophobic society, and the stages of healing.


2.How To Deal With Trauma presented by Helena Davis, Director of Ant-Discrimination Programs at the Mental Health Association in NYS.

She maintains a private practice specializing in trauma related issues and is herself a multiple trauma survivor. Ms. Davis will discuss how trauma can happen anywhere, anytime, to anyone; how trauma symptoms can make you feel like youve lost control of your life; how to manage symptoms; when to ask for help and how to find it.


WORKSHOPS Session B 3:30-3:45 3:30-4:45



3.Under the Influence of Abuse presented by Curtis St. John.

One mans story of childhood sexual abuse; how the abuse affected him as an adult; his journey toward recovery and return to happiness. As an advocate for male survivors of sexual abuse, Curtis helps those survivors and their partners understand the pattern of troubling effects they have been experiencing.


4.Trauma and Mental Illness: A Key Connection presented by Janet Chassman, Director of the Trauma Unit of the NYS Office of Mental Health.

Since 1995, the Office of Mental Health Trauma Initiative has provided information, training and resource services on trauma screening, treatment and support. Why and how the trauma initiative began as well as resources currently available in NY State will be shared.


Maybe Ill see some of you there. If not, are any of you going to Canada?
 
Terrific. Thanks for doing this. You might get a bit panicky after you have been so vulnerable. Be sure to take good care of yourself. Plan something happy and refreshing for you to do after your talk. It would be good to be with someone you love and trust if you can arrange it.

I know John Crowe--he is nothing short of spectacular. What a guy! You are fortunate to be able to hear him speak.

Bob
 
Roland,

That is absolutely fabulous. Congratulations ! ! !

I'm sure you will be nothing short of excellent.

Take care,
Bill
 
As long as we are on public presentations (Congrats, Curtis!), I'll toot a horn for the MS members who will be doing a symposium (4 hour presentation) at the American Psychiatric Association convention in NYC next week....

MS Treasurer, Murray Schane, MD, put together a panel of folks to talk about male victimization on Wed. They are, Murray, Bill Holmes, MD, Howard Fradkin, Ph.D. (both former board members), Bill Burmeister, and me.

We hope to educate some psychiatrists in a wide range of topics about male victimization and treatment.

So, we are slowly and surely getting the word out to the public and professionals, at least in NY this week.

Ken
 
educate some psychiatrists
Click to expand...
isnt that an oxymoron? ;) Sorry j.king. That great that everyone is doing this. The more we get people to understand this the better they are able to treat it. To everyone who speaks on this matter THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH your efforts are truly inspiring. :D I hope everyone has a great time at there talks.

James
 
Thanks guys,

James,
Ill defiantly let you know how it goes, it cant go too bad cause I know not to beat myself up if it doesnt fly perfectly so no matter what Ill come out fine.

Bob,
I cant wait to meet John; he was actually the one that recommended me for the job. I contacted him looking for advice for my original coming out article and Poughkeepsie meeting and he was kind enough to keep me in mind when this conference came up.

Im in a great place right now so no worries there. The only worry I have is filling the hour and fifteen minutes but Ill just take my time and leave a load of time at the end for questions.

In fact Ken you may be amused that I put a line on my office door chalkboard that says-

Axis V GAF 94

It reminds me how good I feel and makes everyone scratch their head. Please say hi to Murray for me, he helped me out as well.

Bill you are great I havent been in touch lately, I hope all is well with you.


Thanks again for the support gang, Ill keep you informed.

Hugs all around!

Curtis
 
Roland,

congratulation! If I am capable of it, I will try to go there, as I am sure Kingston is in driving distance for me (someone who likes driving!). Good luck.

leosha
 
Wow Leosha! You are more than welcome to come, but I hope you wouldn't drive too far, I don't think I will be that exciting. :rolleyes:

in fact, I'm still writing the workshop. I am taking a break and procrastinating by posting right this very minute. :eek:
 
Well I did it.

So far the feedback has been wonderful. And although it was my first time out and I felt a little awkward I think I did ok. I was actually more nervous speaking at the conference than I was in court.

What was interesting is that two TV news stations showed up because of who my abuser was, so the interviews gave the conference a stronger voice and us an opportunity to plug MS (me as a member and John Crowe as a board member). I was told that there had never been news coverage of the conference in the past.

If all goes well I'll get the chance to do this sort of thing over and over, it helps me as much as it helps others.

Thanks for all the support you guys, I dont think I could have done it without you.

Roland/Curtis
 
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