Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / Jan. 1, 2009, edition 1 / Page 10
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Message of Healing Greeting card line targets victims of sexual abuse BY LAYLA FARMER THE CHRONICLE Just months ago, Beverly Itoykin Robinson stood before a crowd of more than 300 strangers, preparing to reveai a secret she had spent more the past four decades trying to hide. She remem bers how her voice quivered as she took the podium at Beacon of Seventh Day Adventist Church in Chicago, 'Illinois, but she squared her shoulders and powered through. The time had come to tell her story. "When I walked out, I was so full" it was almost like I was about to explode. I had to pause because I was so emotional ... it was just overwhelming," related Robinson, an account man ager for Wachovia Bank who has traveled the country for the past 20 years speaking to women's groups and in vari ?T>us'other venues. "I didn't know what type of reaction I'd get. I was thiuKing. '?This may be my last speak ing engagement."' Robinson, 48, told the audience she was sexually abused by a family member from the time she was four years old until she was a teenager. The abuse had many ramifications in her life long after it ended, she related. Though she put on a brave face, the shame of the act had long held her cap tive, she said. "I was so imprisoned for years keeping this secret;" -she commented. "It's always something "that's at the back of your mind. You knOw something's wrong ... it's just this lingering feel ing." The impact of her -state ment was swift and appar ent.. "It pretty much sent a shock wave over the congre gation," she related. "...After the sermon, the coordinator of the program ... couldn't even talk. She just started weeping. When she found her words, she thanked me for being so courageous ? to bring this out... It had happened to her (too.)" Following the confer ence, emails _ flooded Robinson's inbox, full of tales not unlike her own, let ters of thariks and congratu lations for taking a chance and speaking out about her abuse. "It was just eye opening; it's almost like taking a strong drink too fast and your head is just spinning," she said of the experience. "It tells me to continue to talk because if I continue to talk ... somebody who is lis tening is going to begin to . heal." t The effects 6f telling her story were far reaching. As a result of her sermon, Robinson was invited to speak- in Kalamazoo. Michigan for an Abuse Prevention Day. "I felt so empowered to tell this story," she said. "When I finished with it, I felt so liberated.' I felt like I was on my way to healing." Husband Ted Robinson says he has witnessed a Photo by Lay la Farmer Beverly Boykin Robinson holds the prototypes of some of the cards she has designed. transformation in his wife since she began speaking publicly about her abuse. "She's always been a very empathetic individual, but now it seems that people are drawn to her because of her strength," he declared. "It's incredible that all of that is born out of and in spite of what she has endured." Not everyone has embraced Robinson's mis sion. Many of her family members have rebuked her for speaking publicly and tarnishing the family name, she says. Nevertheless, Robinson says she felt compelled to keep reaching out to victims^ of sfexual abuse. To this end, she has created a line of greeting cards that speak to the emotional turmoil fraught by the act. The cards are produced by Robinson's company, Patmos Greetings, named after the island where the Biblical Disciple John was exiled. The Robinsons say they hope to entice major retailers to carry the prod ucts someday. - ? under the Patmos name are greeting cards for prisoners and military per sonnel, but Rbbinson says the sexual abuse cards at the closest to her heart. "It's like I'm writing from the island of Patmos myself ... and encouraging others to be free," she com mented- "Somebody is going to heal from these cards. Somebody is going to speak out and some perpe trator is going to be stopped in his or her tracks." -> For more information about Patmos greeting cards or to order direct, email pat mosgreetings@yahoo .com or call Robinson, at (336) 747-0713. COMMUNITY ^ ^Touched by the Gospel" Friday, January 23 ? 8PM ( at 505 Muirs Chapel Road, Greensboro Kurt Can and the Kurt Carr Singers Cemala mt= mm 2 FOR TICKfc lb JJbJJb MSb tiii \ greensborosymphony org ? ticketmaster com New Year NEW YOU/ iYMCA Access unlimited group fitness classes like yoga, pilates, indoor cycling, Zumba, aerobics and more- check location for schedule Enjoy wellness centers featuring support and instruction K If ? Feel comfortable in your workout as you get to know others. Stop by your local branch for more Information, to take a tour of our facilities and receive a free guest pass to try us out. www.ymcanwnc.org . ay the Day PROMOTION! JANUARY JOINING FEE Is 121*13 *7 ?1 r15 *2 >16 - 1 ? ? >Z4| *25 [*26 $271*28 S29^30 *3l| JCWV><3 Frm r*&>>V1y l it, ,c Screenings for: Diabetes High Blood Pressure Glaucoma Cholesterol Skin Cancer Osteoporosis Prostate Cancer * V Jail u an IIM1' 20(H) !) \m- PVI Marketplace Mall -J 0 L P J ' ' i n [ I'crk Pku\ J } f i } lit S.'i (Ih* W ' <> '>K t ? \\ v ? V \ '? : - ? Come to the 10th annual Share the Health Fair on January 10th, 2009. The event will take place from 9 AM- 3 PM at the Marketplace Mall. Come for free ? . consultations from physicians and receive information regarding diet and exercise programs, financing medical care, diabetes, high blood pressure, and so much more! fCRTHHESWME* . 0-rt ? vvaki Forest C C^Tt I* > ,i " ? ? ? > UMMPflMny Scmooi ?/MtrnriNir 1974 - 2009
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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Jan. 1, 2009, edition 1
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