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Wanna Chat?
What's on your mind? I would love to hear from you!!
NotMyShameToBear@gmail.com
Eden Strong
PO Box 321
South Holland Il, 60473
News and Media Requests Please Contact
EdenStrongMedia@gmail.com
While I love chatting with every single one of you and am here to offer whatever support I can, I have to throw in my legal disclaimer that you cannot take anything I say as legal or medical advice because I am not an attorney, a doctor, or a counselor. I would love to hear from you though so don't hesitate to reach out!
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Hi Eden,
ReplyDeleteI'm Liz of the LadyBits podcast and the Real Talk blog, and I just finished "I Volunteered At The Food Pantry For Years, But Now? I Eat There" and loved it. You explore this issue with candor, and I was constantly emotionally engaged without feeling pity for you or your situation. You have an amazing talent, and I'd like to borrow it!
I would like to bring you on as a contributing writer for Real Talk. It's a lot like Thought Catalog/Elite Daily/Your Tange in that it's written solely by contributors and caters to everything related to ladies in their 20s, and some men giving their perspective on ladies in their 20s.
I'd love it if you checked out our website (LadyBitsPodcast.com), listened to an episode or two, read some posts, and then let me know if you think we're a good fit for you. And of course, email me if you have any questions or concerns.
I look forward to speaking with you soon!
Liz
I sent you an email Liz :)
DeleteI read your article in Yahoo in lieu with the Domestic Violence Month and I have to say, I had been in almost the same situation as yours and I got lucky to find an amazing lawyer to fight for me against my husband. I share same idea as yours that no woman should be in this situation and a woman must be able to get the help she needs to keep herself and her children safe from the abuser. Like what I said to the judge during my case trial, " I do not want my son to become a statistic and I would do everything to keep him safe." DV is a very painful process that tramples down a woman whole being and as I look back to it, I am always grateful how I got lucky to make it through and have my son but I am also saddened by so many women who are still suffering in the pit of Domestic Violence!
DeleteI'm so happy that you found an attorney too :) I wish it was the same for every victim!
DeleteYour story speaks for a hell lot of some of us. I came here because i googled why-is-my-family-crazy?
ReplyDeleteYou see if only my mother was crazy or one of my sisters or one of my brothers thaen i would have had
some peace and something of a relationship with the other healthier ones.
But it did not happen that way.
My mother was crazy, all my brothers are sick and both my sisters are psycho.
How can a family be all sick?
In my life pratically everyone i engage is mentally ill, abusive, addict, narcistic etc. Why?
I found it easier to disconnect from my family. It was slow. Having gotten used o abusing me it was hard for
them to let go. They are estraged now. It has given me some little peace.
Thank you for your story. The question is why you were isolated in your abuse. In my family abuse was
a matrix. Everyone targeting everyone else for abuse.
I did not even attend my mother funeral. In my heart i have no regrets. She did not deserve my presence in
her death. I hope by now she has rotted properly. She dd not deserve to be alive in the first place.
I'm so sorry that you are going through that family dynamic. I used to think it was only me until I started this blog and realized how very many people were going through the sam things :( Kudos to you for recognizing that there is a problem and making changes. I hope you stick around the blog, there are SO many of us and we'd love to have you :)
Delete*hugs*
Really enjoyed your article in Yahoo about your daughter and doctors. I was misdiagnosed for over 30 years with what turned out to be MS. I am my own advocated and advocate medically for others as well. Lots of incompetence out there. Congrats on the new readers from Yahoo. Great writing.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry I didn't reply sooner, somehow I missed this! I'm sorry that you had to be your own health detective, but major kudos to you in putting your foot down and pressing forward!
DeleteThanks so much for taking the time to comment and I promise to be a little more prompt next time!
I just stumbled upon your blog. I am a future single mom. I say this because my husband is emotionally abusive daily to me and sometimes my kids, and j am just now waiting for the day I have enough courage to walk away. I read your stories and I feel compelled to write you. I feel very strongly compelled to help. I run a ministry to help out moms, can I send you some things for you and your kiddos? Do you have a PO Box? Feel free to email me at juju5671@hotmail.com :)
ReplyDeleteAw thanks Julie. I'm sorry that you are going through some rough times as well. This blog is so strange because I'm so happy to "meet" you all, but then I'm sad because I know so many of you found your way here looking for someone who can relate to some really tough situations.
DeleteWhat a testimony to how amazing you are that you're having your own struggles but still looking to help me. How awesome are you!!
Unfortunately I do not have a PO Box, although I wish I did because I have so many awesome readers!! Just knowing that you are all here is what keeps me going some days, so thank you for taking the time to reach out to me :) I'll hang onto your email and please contact me if you ever need to chat!
Hi Eden
ReplyDeleteI am from Canada but currently at the WHO in Geneva and your life is indeed fascinating. Without going into too much detail as I have emailed you, I commend your work, patience and tenacity.
Is there a way to send you and your children food, or other things that may be helpful to you?
Do you give motivational talks? If yes I would love to fly you and your family to Canada and arrange this.
Kind regards, Rahul
Hi Rahul,
DeleteYes, I do motivational speaking and would love to chat with you! Please email me at notmyshametobear@gmail.com.
Thanks!
What State do You live in?
ReplyDeleteAw I wish I could say but I keep my location private in order to protect my children's identity :)
DeleteHi Eden,
ReplyDeleteI would love for your daughter to receive the Puppy Surprise this Christmas. I am a single Mom who has struggled, and know what it feels like to wonder how you will be able to provide for your kids. Please email me festi2014@verizon.net, so that I can help Santa out this year. :)
Thanks,
Kim
Eden, I know you keep your address private, but we could help you out by doing an in store pickup. There are a lot of people that want your little girl to have that puppy surprise. So if you have a walmart around, you can pick the gifts up in store and the only thing anyone will know is where you shop at Walmart.
DeleteI would like your little girl and your youngest one to have the presents they deserve as well. Thank you Wanda above to suggest such a great idea.
DeleteYou guys are AMAZING!! I posted some Christmas info on my Facebook page along with a PO Box. You are all so generous and if the generousity is more than my kids need, I run a nonprofit for single women who have left abusive relationships, and they are all in the same position as me, so I can "share the wealth" if you are all OK with that :)
DeleteHi Eden,
ReplyDeleteJust finished reading your article. Makes my heart sad and happy at the same time. I to would love to help out Santa this year. . . so please email me ~ jensjg@sbcglobal.net
Thanks,
Jennifer
I sent you an email, thank you!
DeleteHi Eden,
ReplyDeleteI just read the article on Yahoo about a mother and her 2 kids who will not have a Xmas this year. I would like to help can you please email aber_muhammad@yahoo.com
I sent you an email :)
DeleteHi Eden,
ReplyDeleteI also read your article this morning and sent you an e-mail. I would really love to help you with Santa this year. Please e-mail me back.
Thank you love. I don't have your email address lol
DeleteOh no wait, I DO have it! I somehow missed your entire first sentence of "I emailed you this morning." Duh. Sorry. My eyes are about ready to pop out of my head answering all these comments!
DeleteHi Eden,
ReplyDeleteI just read your article about the puppy surprise and see where many have already pledged to help. I don't know where you live or at which grocery chain you do your shopping, but since everyone else wants to help out with toys I thought I'd help with FOOD. My husband and I were dirt poor once and I remember when my son was born thinking no one was going to even give him a stuffed animal so I would siphon off grocery money to purchase little things at what was then Value City in MI so that when I brought him home to our dumpy graduate student housing apartment he would feel loved and wanted. My in laws surprised me with generosity that Christmas (he was born 12/20) and I was so very grateful and still am. What a kind gesture to their grandchild. They didn't care for me but they really loved their son's son and for me that was enough. My parents - had enough money for my sister and her child but never for me or mine so this was the kindest gesture and I have paid it forward ever since. My son is now 26 and a PhD candidate and still NEEDS ugh. But YOU my dear Eden and everyone else in need should never have to go without food so that your child can eat (been there, done that and it is not pretty.) So please e mail me and I will gladly, and with an open heart, send you a gift card to your grocer so that you and your children can have a lovely holiday meal and hopefully others will come through and your children will get what they want and not things that were regifted because they are old and dated. jz194657@gmail.com
You sound like you have been through a lot but clearly still have a heart of gold, I hope the same is true for me in a few years :)
DeleteI'm sending you an email :)
So you child was looking for a toy dog. Could you provide more info about the type of toy?
ReplyDeleteHi, Eden: would love to help Santa out. Or contributes towards Christmas dinner! Send me an email with a mailing address so I can send something towards your way.
ReplyDeletebenn.griffin@gmail.com
I sent you an email :)
DeleteEden,
ReplyDeleteI also read your story via Yahoo, and like everyone else on this thread I would like to help any way that I can. It looks like from previous posts you would like to keep your state of residence confidential (this makes it difficult to mail anything). Do you have a Paypal account that you are able to accept funds in?
You guys are WAY too generous!! I have posted some Christmas info on my Facebook page :)
DeleteI just emailed you about sending you some Amazon gift card codes via email so you could order presents directly. Maybe not enough for the puppy surprise, but if others might also send you some it may add up! Check your gmail!
ReplyDeleteThank you hun, hopefully I responded, my inbox is KA-RAY-ZEE right now! If you didn't hear from me, shoot me another email with some crazy eye catching subject line :)
DeleteHi Eden, I am also in for making your and your children's Christmas better this year. Please email me at motivescouture@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI'm sending you an email :)
DeleteHello Eden, I read your article and I would love to help make this holiday season special for you and your kids. Please let me know how I can help. E-mail me at umahadeo@hotmail.com.
ReplyDeleteI'm sending you an email :)
DeleteHello Eden,
ReplyDeleteI hope that you are open to the Santa's out there and I would like to help your son get what he is asking for this Christmas. My name is Katie and you can send me an email at katietrippe@yahoo.com. We know that what you are experiencing is tough but as you have come to realize you are strong and you have a voice don't let either of those things fade!
Thank you for your encouragment!!!
DeleteI'm sending you an email :)
Eden,
ReplyDeleteI know that many have replied to your Yahoo story & email with kind offers to help you and your children this Christmas. Whatever your private reasons were to go public with your life at this time, please know there are so many of "us" your readers who wish to help. I have noted that you have not replied to anyone's offer publicly so I am hoping you will reply privately to our e-mail address's.
Thank you, Fritzie
astroboy5856@yahoo.com
Thank you Fritzie
DeleteI love your email address! And I did send you an email :)
You are one STRONG woman! And I want you to know that we are all connected in a very unique way! Tune in...the Universe is having a conversation with all of us...and you are blessed! With much Aloha coming to you for a very, very HAPPY CHRISTMAS, and a FABULOUSLY JOYOUS NEW YEAR!
ReplyDeleteYay!! Thank you!!
DeleteDo you have a P.O. Box I could send something to for those babies? I know you've gotten several offers but your story spoke to me because my wish one year was a puppy surprise, too! Either way, I hope your Christmas is amazing. My email is Lynda_finley@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteCan you even believe that Puppy Surprise is even still around!? They had them when I was younger! :)
DeleteI've sent you an email, THANK YOU!
Just sent you an Amazon gift card to notmyshametobear@gmail.com, please check your spam just in case. Happy holidays!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!! You guys are going to kill me with your kindness. Like literally, I'm starting to think that is a real thing because my heart is going to explode. EXPLODE.
DeleteHi Eden, I would like to help as well. I am going to send you an amazon gift card to your email, notmyshametobear@gmail.com. I know that you said in your article that you will teach your daughter that there is more to Christmas than receiving gifts, but I think that everyone deserves a gift. It's about giving and receiving. You can always save the gift card for something else, if you have received enough to make your Christmas special this year. I hope that 2016 is a better year for you! Happy Holidays
ReplyDeleteAs I said to the person above you, you guys are making my heart explode! I seriously can't believe so many of you took the time to reach out to me and help us.
DeleteI feel like I'm dreaming.
Eden,
ReplyDeleteI know several people have offered their assistance but I too would like to help your children have a Christmas every child deserves. Please email at mace06@hotmail.com.
Thank you so much love. I'm sending you an email :)
DeleteEden - merry xmas from Puerto Rico!
ReplyDeleteIvan
Merry Christmas all the way to Puerto Rico!!!
DeleteHey hon, I read your article about your skunk of a husband leaving you and your sweeties, and your situation with welfare. I don't know if this is an option for you, but my sister was in nearly the identical situation, and here's what she did.
ReplyDeleteShe enrolled in a college that had day care for students, and then qualified for a lot of grants, and some loans. Now, she still had her house, so you might qualify for even more grants, since you lost yours. But that really saved her bacon. It gave her money to support the kids, it fulfilled the requirements for her to receive assistance while not working, since jobs could not be found at that point. And the best part, it got her the education she needed to get off all the help programs, and live on her own.
I don't know if that could help you, or it you've tried it and I'm just giving you a broken solution. But you seem like a smart woman, and I bet a couple years of nurses training, or paralegal training could change everything for you and the little ones. (I only suggest those because they are 1 to 2 year programs, so you're back on your feet faster.I bet you could do anything.) Good luck, hon. You and your little people are in my thoughts and prayers. I wish so much I could do more.
Thank you for all your suggestions!! I always appreciate people taking the time to help me out :)
DeleteJust read, "Just Because I’m on Welfare Doesn’t Mean I Need to Look Poor" and wanted to make sure you know about Comcast's Internet Essentials for $9.95 a month. No tax on Internet only so that should be your total bill. https://internetessentials.com/apply
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing that with me!!
DeleteJust read about lack of home Internet other than phone. Comcast has a 9.95 a month Internet Essentials plan. https://internetessentials.com/apply
ReplyDeleteThank you!!
DeleteNMSB, just wondering if there is any way people can help support you and the kids?
ReplyDeleteDid you finally just give up on looking for the father? I am pretty good at finding people that do not want to get found. Let me know if I can help. Email me at rolfbell@ymail.com
ReplyDeleteHI, Just read your story on a Yahoo webpage. Really sad as I have 2 kids (4 and 2) and spoil them to death. I couldn't imagine leaving them. Not sure if I can help you in anyway but I wish you all the best and will continue to read your Blog. I don't read any Blogs but was moved by your story.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I love my readers, so I am happy that you are here :)
Deletejust saw genetic "matchmaking" story, and thought that even if you didn't need this info, others following your & your kids' medical issues might:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cnn.com/2016/02/29/health/rare-diseases-matchmaker/index.html
Awesome, thank you!!!
DeleteI'm a little confused. Did your husband leave or were you "the Walkaway Wife"?
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what The Walkaway Wife is, I think you must have me confused with another writer. My husband left.
DeleteOk so I just Googled that term and apparently it's the name for a woman who leaves her husband. Nope, not me. My husband disappeared.
DeleteDear Eden,
ReplyDeleteI just wanted you to know that I read your blog so I can pray for you, and to remind myself that I am not the center of the universe so I am not the only one hurting and struggling with things that are unfair. Please don't beat yourself up with how you feel. Even the "ugly" feelings are legitimate and worthy to be acknowledged. I am angry at your ex for choosing to be dishonorable and irresponsible to those that are innocent, and my only connection to you is your blog! I don't want to preach at you, but I have been where you are, feeling hopeless and angry at my perpetrator and feeling that there is no justice for me. It helps that I know that even though he was innocent, my Jesus paid the price of the injustice done to me, so I am able to let it go. I never say that what was done is ok, far from it, but it has been paid for so I no longer have to carry it. So I let it go, and I trust that Jesus will help me process my "ugly" feelings. Take care Eden. Jenny
I appreciate your thoughts and prayers, thank you :)
DeleteCheck out my blog on way to protect yourself in future.
ReplyDeletehttp://m1515w.wixsite.com/stopstalking
I just want to say thank you. You've encouraged me in ways you will never understand.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome :)
DeleteEden thank you so much for writing this article. It took me back forty years, and it feels like not much has changed except the exposure today. I am writing my memoir which describes domestic and sexual abuse which I could not escape because there was no where to go. I was sad to read that it is forty years later and women are still faced with many of the same issues. There is help, and then again there is little hope at times.
ReplyDeleteI would love to send you a copy of my book when it is finished and note your organization as a resource for women to have hope in inding help.
Again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you are doing.
Mary, I enjoyed chatting with you via email :)
DeleteHi Eden. You rock. I will email you shortly as I would like to share. I love all of what I see. Stay strong and keep up the great work.
ReplyDelete*HUGS*
DeleteHi eden. Have read some of your posts since my girlfriend happened across it and informed me. When she read about your situation with rape, it hit home with her. She only relatively recently shared her own experience. I assume she was afraid I'd judge her or such. It's left her w/ some trust issues, even yrs after. Me personally, i love her, so NOTHING in her past is gonna change that. Anyway, long story short, her trauma occured due to her ex hubby having raped her during their marriage. Between the aforementioned trust issues, occasional night terrors& such.. Been hard on her emotionally. Saving grace being that after reading your post about your experience.. She seems.. Idk.. More at peace w/ herself & what happened. I'm pretty sure something in your post/experience helped bring it about,so... Just was writing to say "THANK YOU" for whatever peace your blog has apparently given her. You're definitely one hell of a strong person to be able to help so many w/ that post. Don't know my email by memory (yet), new cell. I'll post it here later, & ya always be welcome to mail.
ReplyDeletetc & best to you & those lil ones. Prayers for all of you. :-)