Karlyn Percil is a young Saint Lucian beauty who embodies great strength, courage and an undying determination to use her life and voice to make a positive difference in the lives of others. A former model, now motivational speaker, entrepreneur and author, she is now lending her voice with UNICEF’s ”Break the Silence,” initiative to end Child Sexual Abuse in the Caribbean, in an effort to  help break the stigma and stain of Child Sexual Abuse, having been a victim herself.

Ms Percil only recently revealed this “elephant”,  as she calls it, to the world, and she now feels a renewed sense of purpose and direction in her life, and looks forward to working with the Caribbean community to help fight Child Sexual Abuse in the Caribbean and the world. A practice that is quite prevalent and  often seen as ”Taboo,”to discuss in Caribbean culture. I wanted to speak with her to learn more about her new role, purpose and challenges ahead. I know that by her speaking out, her story will inspire many who struggle with the shame and stigma of sexual abuse, and provide much needed strength and inspiration to others.

 

 

Lovee: Thank you Karlyn for taking the time to be interviewed. This interview is actually long overdue, but it just goes to show again, nothing before its time. (Smiling) You have added such an important role to your work, something I’m also passionate about, and a voice that is very much needed. I am happy that you have been chosen to lend your voice for such a worthy and important cause…

 

Karlyn: Oh yes! Nothing before its time. LOL. (laughing out loud) I believe that God has everything lined up for each and everyone of us and when the time is right, everything will fall into place. Thank you so much for doing this. I love your series of interviews, it provides a real voice on what we go through in life.. Sometimes we get caught up in the ”surface” stuff and miss out on having real conversations so thank you.

Yes, a very worthy and important cause but also very sensitive for a lot of people. It is a journey I know that will be tough but I look forward to making a difference in the lives of women, girls and boys as well. My focus is mainly girls because sexual assault affects a staggering 150 million  girls worldwide (double the number of boys).

 

Lovee: WOW! And that’s only what’s documented… Before I proceed, I know that many people like myself are wondering, why now? Why did you decide to reveal this ”elephant,” at this stage in your life, and what inspired you to do so?

 

Karlyn: Oh boy! Where do I start? (laughs). Why now? Because like you mentioned before nothing happens before its time. And the time slowly revealed itself. When we pay attention to our lives, we will actually see the clues laid out for us. I actually started on my journey of healing several years ago, when I made the decision to stop asking :”Why?” I stopped calling myself a victim and started seeing myself as a survivor. When you see yourself as a survivor you see your obstacles from a different set of lenses. So, I have been working on me for a number of years and last year I deemed 2012 as my year of nakedness and my year where I will confront my ’elephant” – meaning ALL of my fears, all the dark areas in my life.

The thing is, I couldn’t continue writing inspirational thoughts or my Beauty Affirmations to my readers without acknowledging where all of this came from. Sometimes I felt like I was editing myself too much because I wanted to make sure that I didn’t reveal my ”elephant”. There was so much energy being dispensed trying to do that, that sometimes I felt like my message wasn’t authentic. I told my followers most of it is written for me, which is true. My writing was therapy for me. I wrote myself to a better place. It was my online journal. I was also tired of seeing the horror stories of more children from the Caribbean being hurt and I stood by silently like everyone else, too ashamed to reach out and do something. So my inspiration is to make a difference in the lives of women and girls, in my own way. I didn’t ask for this to happen to me, so why am I letting it hold me hostage? I wanted to live an authentic life and reach my FULL potential because I deserve it. I wanted to reveal my truth but didn’t know how or when.

 

Lovee: Great self reflection. I like how you can be your own self critic, and acknowledge the things about you that you felt needed work, and needed to be changed to live your best life, to be your authentic self. Showing weakness is strength, and I believe the first step to healing is acknowledgement, and you are definitey doing that! Also, you are indeed right, ”God gives us exactly what we need, when he feels that we are ready.” One thing for sure, having known you for many years, there was always this drive and passion within you to succeed, and to have your voice be heard. I can remember our first modeling session back in the day, you definitely stood out, because you would put your all into it, you always gave a little extra, you wanted to do it right, like a real supermodel. LOL…Often, as Oprah once said, this passion, drive and sense of purpose derives from pain and struggle, and the individual’s need to feel empowered, and to empower those around them. I’m sure you know Oprah’s story since you are a huge fan, and her having to overcome so much, including being sexually abused by an Uncle at an early age, would you say that your horrible experience had alot to do with that undying need to succeed and make a difference in the lives of others?

 

 

Karlyn: Oh my! I LOVE Oprah and the funny thing is, I have always admired her for so long!!!! Not for the reasons others do but for exactly what you spoke about. I used to watch Oprah in awe and Iyanla as well as she spoke about her story so openly and freely. I cried hearing her talk and asked God to allow me to be strong like her one day. That’s why she is my hero. I wanted to be her. I wanted to break away from the fear this violation had on me. I wanted to speak openly about my truth like Oprah and Iyanla. And isn’t it ironic that my first public talk about this is on her network? (it hasn’t aired yet). That’s the real reason I admired her so much, but I couldn’t tell anyone that. I just let everyone else assume it was because of all what she has accomplished.

I grew up with very little, no electricity, no running water, I did my homework by candlelight and had to walk an hour  and a half to catch the bus to go to school. While we didn’t have much, I always felt that I was equal to everyone else. That’s one thing my parents gave us—a sense of pride in who we are because she taught us that beauty is character.  That helping others around you is what life is about. This horrible experience – yes it is the catalyst for where I am today. I mean when I look at my life I can now see why  God has designed it the way he did. People often laugh at me when I tell them about my ”Princess Story” –growing up in the woods with trees and birds and bees as my friends. But I am grateful for everything he has done  for me.

So women like Oprah and Iyanla gave me the strength and courage to realise that one day I will be able to face my fear and own my story. I had to work to get to where I am today. I had to fight through the scars and ugliness this violation placed on me. Hence my mission to redefine beauty and to help women reach their full potential.

 

 

Lovee: It’s amazing how one’s story can inspire and empower another. Look how Oprah and Iyanla’s story inspired you to speak your truth. We all draw strength and muster courage from eachother, which is why I love learning about, and sharing the stories of others, because when we understand eachother, it eliminates so much of our own fears, prejudices and judgements, and allow us to be more tolerant and compassionate towards eachother. The truth is, no one likes to feel like they’re in the struggle alone, and when they find out that others can identify with them, it gives them that extra strength to keep going.

 

Karlyn: Oh yes! I strongly believe that sharing is caring. There is an indescribable strength and power that comes from speaking your truth. When you face it, it is then you realise that it cannot hurt you anymore than it already has. And yes, we are all going through something. We are all hurting. And that’s why I encourage women to face and share their ”elephant’. Sharing reminds us that we are not alone and that the reason why some people hurt each other is because they are hurting too. I always tell my friends ,”Hurt people, Hurt people.” That’s why very soon on my website women will be able to share the elephant they are dealing with as a means to break the shame and fear surrounding it. The funny thing is Lovee we are all hurting and we are all struggling and when we help another woman – we are helping ourselves with our healing. When we keep on hurting each other, we keep pushing ourselves into the dark.

 

Lovee: And it’s important to stress to others that they all don’t have to share their struggles openly and with everyone also, but with someone they can trust and feel comfortable in doing so, in an effort to start with the healing process. How did that experience affect you as a young woman growing up?

 

Karlyn: It affected me in a very different way. I have connected with other women who have been through a tramautic experience and we talk about that very fact. Why is it that some women continue in life and achieve success and others go down that dark path? It’s something that’s puzzling to me. It affected me in my personal relationships. I didn’t believe in love and had this HUGE wall. I remember telling my first boyfriend: ”If you tell me you love me, I am leaving you. So don’t ever say these words to me.” LOL. Terrible wasn’t it?

 

Lovee: LOL…I guess it was your way of dealing with it then…

 

Karlyn: LOL…So for years I used that wall to hold people at arms length because I felt that I didn’t deserve love, that no one would want someone who is ”broken” and ”tainted”. No one. So I focused on doing what I can do best. I can work. I can do anything I set my mind to when it comes to work. Love – that’s a whole other story…LOL. My can-do attitude and strong work ethic is why I am where I am today. And once I took away  the limitations I had placed on myself I discovered that Karlyn is more than doing what people tell her to do. She has a creative side. And if I gave her a chance, if I believe in her just a little bit, if I gave her some love, that she would accomplish great things.

So once I did that, the path to survivorship gave me permission to allow my best self to emerge. This is where Bellemoun and my books came from. This is where the need to redefine beauty came from. Because no matter what people told me, ”You look beautiful, You are beautiful. ” I did not feel beautiful. I felt many different things but not beautiful. But once I focused on grooming me again, I went back to the good ole values my mother taught me, respect, kindness, being accountable – I applied them to my life and they did wonders for my self-esteem. And this is what I would like to share with women and girls globally. That there is more to someone that meets the eye. There is more to beauty and that is the  Beauty Code. RRK – Respect, Responsibility and Kindness.– Respect for you – if you respect who you are, you won’t allow anyone to take advantage of you knowingly, so if they don’t serve you or your purpose in life, get rid of them, be kind to yourself – we have been through enough. We have suffered at the hands of others, why should we continue putting ourselves through pain? So I promised myself to be gentle and kind to me always – no negative self talk. And Be responsible for you – I had to stand up for me and OWN my story. Yes I can’t change my past but I can change my future!

 

 

Lovee: Well said!…I have to tell you that although we all know that everyone one of us has some kind of ”elephant” in our lives, some of us just simply mask it alot better than others. Truth is, we all just find a way to deal, to overcome, and to survive in what can be a very harsh world. But, boy did you wear that mask well! LOL… One would have never thought! You just always seemed so filled with life and positive energy. Just goes to show, we are all fighting a battle…you just never know what someone is going through, what burden they’re carrying, so the lesson here is tolerance and not judging, but after all, we are all human, and we will faulter in that regard, but everytime we learn more about others, we begin to understand them and their behaviors so much more …and in the process even gain a greater understanding of ourselves…

 

Karlyn: Yes we all have a burden to carry and some of us mask it in different ways. For me like I said before it was a wall. I had a very difficult time trusting others and allowing myself to fall in love because I felt like I didn’t deserve love or didn’t deserve a good man. I was able to function in other ways – I am successful in my career and I am very active in the community. I get things done. My friend Komal said it’s the survival instinct of kids who have been through some sort of trauma. Their instincts kick in, and some perform at a higher caliber than others. I have been able to perform well from a very young age. In some ways I think it was my saving grace.

 

Lovee: Your friend Komal is very smart. We all find a way to deal, that survival instincts is a fascinating thing. However, I have to commend you on channeling all that pain and suffering into transforming your life, and being such a positive voice in the world. Not many people can do that. People respond to pain and suffering differently. Alot of people get self destructive, negative, outlandish, and even succumb to their circumstance, but you always seemed to find a way to turn that pain into power, and I can only commend you for that. He chose not to be a life long victim, kudos to you! Where did you find the strength and power to do so? Because we all know, it’s so much easier to be negative than it is to be positive…

 

Karlyn: It’s funny that you mentioned that. In my monthly group called ”SisterTalk,” we talk about that. Why is it that some people are able to survive and thrive while others go down the road of destruction? If someone is doing or did a research on that I would love to know!..hahahahaha… but I truly believe that God and being a part of the church saved me! Growing up I was actively involved in the church, doing Youth Service and AY and Pathfinders…LOL..I grew up as a Catholic but spent a lot of time in the Seven Day Adventist  Church. And honestly, my mom always had someone we either had to visit or help. So I grew up with not having much and having to wear the same shoes term after term, year after year. My Chinese shoes were always scrubbed clean! LOL. But because I was focused on others, I didn’t have time to focus on my pain. So I am grateful for the church and for my mom for getting me involved in the church.

A lot of my strength came from reading as well…I read a lot of inspirational books and listened to a lot of music..We had a radio and when we had new batteries. my sisters and I would listen to the songs on cassette and would write down the words and sing along after…LOL..Not that I had a choice with no electricity or friends close by – reading and singing was my entertainment. Thank God no one lived close by, I could sing out loud – off key without a care in the world…LOL… So I grew up with a love for escaping in books, from Nancy Drews and Hardy Boys and Jackie Collins. I also read my bible alot, and then I discovered Iyanla Vanzant. I cried the first time I read her story. I couldn’t understand how someone could go through such pain and still live to tell it. This was another glimpse of what it means to survive.

 

 

Lovee: Who woulda thought, ”A Girl Like You?” LOL…Thank you for bringing back memories of the ”chinese shoes!” I took such pride in wearing mine also! LOL….Oh the good ole days! LOL…

 

Karlyn: Oh you too?! My chinese shoes and socks were always clean and my uniform was pressed with perfect pleats. I guess that’s why people never believe me when I tell them I’m a country girl. LOL…For some reason they expected people like us to be unkempt and unruly. But my mom and dad raised us all with pride and very good manners. The Percil’s are always well dressed and they were polite children. My parents worked hard to send us to school and I will always cherish my ”Chinese” shoes..LOL…

 

Lovee: LOL…you better! Chinese shoes rock! LOL…Ok, so when did you decide, or what happened which made you say, Ok, I’m tired of dealing silently with this ”elephant! ” I am going to deal with it head on, even if it means that I may feel completely naked to the world, but I have to be at peace with myself, because I believe that the only way to peace and happiness is through truth, and it doesn’t mean you have to speak it out loud to the world, but at least to yourself, and make changes where necessary. That’s where true healing begin I believe. In your case, you decided to speak it out to the world… so when did this ”AHA” moment happen for you?

 

Karlyn: To be honest it was a work in progress. It wasn’t a ok let’s do this and bam! I’ve been working on myself for several years. Like really working. I first had to acknowledge that I am a survivor of Child Sexual Abuse, and that I have a wall and that I had issues..LOL. It wasn’t easy but I had to face my truth. I had to learn to be OK with who I am – ALL of me.. I had to learn to love me again. To be kind and gentle with me and to tell the little girl that it is not her fault. I had to know and believe that I was beautiful. That I was worthy. I told myself to stop asking ”why me” and stop playing victim. I made the decision to become a survivor. When I was strong enough and OK with being me, I said that one day I will find the courage to tell my story. I allowed myself to open up and  here we are today.

 

Lovee: We are always a work in progres. It’s funny how God works in our lives.You know, as I mentioned in my book, ”A Girl Like Me,” I believe that some people will have to suffer publicly for the millions of people who suffer privately, because the reality is not everyone will have the courage like you or me to be so outspoken, and respond to such pain in a positive way. Not many people will be empowered to turn that pain into power, or feel like they are able to forgive, reason why I think the higher power uses some of us to be a voice, a force, or some form of inspiration to help others find that much needed strength that they need to know that they are not alone, and that they can overcome. Do you sometimes feel that God is using you in that way?

 

Karlyn: I believe that some people will have to suffer publicly for the millions of people who suffer privately- I LOVE that quote!!!! When I saw that quote in your book I was like WOW did she write that for me? LOL …And I can’t remember if I emailed you about it but it was profound to me. God is so amazing. We have been through alot. We’ve had our share of ups and downs. When I look back I think that yes he is using me. He designed my life this way for a reason. Joel Osteen said something that I always reflect on during my dark days: ”The depth of your past in an indication of your future.”

So I know that he is using me for a reason….

 

 

Lovee: Indeed! We can’t choose the cards which we are dealt, but we have control over the hands that deal them, and you are certainly dealing with yours in the right way. In our culture, almost any topic apart from Politics seems taboo. There are alot of things we don’t like discussing out loud. There are alot of things we like sweeping under the carpet, and prefer to play a deaf ear or blind eye to, than addressing. Often in fear of shame, or fear of being judged, criticised, etc. You really can’t blame others, because we all know our people can be tough! But when we continue to do so, our society continues to decay, our children continue to suffer, and the vicious cycle continues….sadly. My dear friend, Velika Lawrence, I know you’ve read my previous interview with her, is a strong voice on the issue, having been a victim herself.  She has formed her own Organisation called PROSAF, to help fight the stain and stigma of Child Sexual Abuse, and give children a voice. I hope you both can work together in the near future…

 

Karlyn: Yes! It is quite sad that adults are willing to put what others think about them when two year olds are being brutalised. Have we as a scociety lose sight of what really matters? Can we all silently stand by and continue to ignore that many young girls are suffering and are doing drugs, transactional sex and teenage preganancy? We have become so dissensitized that mothers feel that it is OK to sell their daughters for sex. How can we expect our young girls to become leaders when we continuously break their legs?  We need to protect them. We need to stop blaming the victims.We need to go back to what really matters. Our girls…our children..our young boys. And to your point  about the cycle continues. When I listen to some of these mothers who turn a blind eye, I can’t help but wonder how many of them were abused? How many of them think that they don’t deserve better that they actually think that what they put their children through is OK. In addition to my work with UNICEF, I will be reaching out to others and would love to connect with people like Veleika.. I’m so happy to see her sharing her story and adding her voice to breaking the silence. I would like to say Bravo to her and her organisation and to all those who have stepped out and who are doing their part.

 

Lovee: Yes indeed. I am so proud of her. When I first read her story, I was in awe of her strength and courage. I know she will make a difference with her work. The reality is, no one one’s to be the voice for Child Sexual Abuse in Saint Lucia or the Caribbean, because no one one wants to be the one to expose the father, uncle, friend, politician, cousin, brother, sister, pastor, priest etc who is doing this. Coming from an island, everyone seems connected in some way, and even though our country is founded on christian values, in such cases, ironically, most people tend to be silent on the issue. Children as you said, often feel shame, and like this sick act is their fault. How do you intend to use your voice to help to get people to ACT, and to do alot more than just talk?

 

Karlyn: I will be using the key messages from UNICEF  to create a Social Media strategy and to get Caribbean Nationals to take  pledge and break the silence. A take-away from the two day conference in Barbados was an Action Plan and a Declaration which the Caribbean islands will be committed to once it is ratified.

I need all Caribbean Nationals to Take the Pledge and to Break the Silence. My goal is to create a culture of  zero tolerance and to get everyone talking about it. I want the young children to hear us talking about it on the radio, on the television and all forms of media so that  they know that they are not alone and that we are working on their behalf to ensure that the elected officials work in their favour. Through this, I hope to send a strong message to the offenders that the community will no longer stay quiet about this. We will keep on talking and holding the elected officials accountable as well. Legislature needs to change. It’s a multipronged approach and I am proud to be a  part of it.

 

 

Lovee: Great approach. We can’t be afraid to talk about the issues that affects us all! Saint Lucian judge, Justice Redhead once said, and I quote. “It is like a disease in St. Lucia -six year olds, nine year olds, twelve year olds. Why are they doing this? What is wrong with St. Lucia? Perhaps the court is too lenient. I think the courts need to send out a stronger message.”

Do you agree? What do you think needs to be done to help stop this, and bring some men and women to justice?

 

 Karlyn:  He is right. It is not only the courts or Government who needs to do something.  It is also us – you and me. We need to say something. That’s why I am so happy to be an advocate for UNICEF’s approach.  AS UNICEF stated in their communication, ”It’s a multi-pronged approach to protect children against sexual abuse and the risk of HIV. On one hand the initiative aims to reach victims and their families with a message to speak out and denounce, to break the stigma and shame that surrounds the issue. At the same time, it is an advocacy platform directed at policy makers, health workers and the police to create effective protection and treatment services.”

 

Lovee: I know that you are aware that you have a huge challenge ahead of you, so did you ever ask…why me? Why did God choose a girl like me to help fight such a cause, and if it would be to big of a responsibility for me?

 

Karlyn: I really couldn’t understand why me…and I prayed and asked Him : Why me? Alot!..I used to beg him, asking him why couldn’t he give me a normal childhood? Why couldn’t he make me normal. Why? Why? Why? I went from being angry  at him to thanking him and acknowledging that he has designed my life exactly as it should be. For I am grateful that he is using me to do his work. He is using me to be a voice for millions who is affected by this. I grew up in the bush for a reason. Like everything he has done, there is a reason. So I have learned to trust in him and to follow my heart when he speaks. When I think about how my work with UNICEF came about, it was all his doing. I read a quote that says: ”Our intuition is God talking to us.” So I am so happy that he spoke to me . The more quiet we are, the more opportunities we have to hear from God.

 

Lovee: ”Knowledge speaks, wisdom listens.”….(Smiling) What is your new role as an Advocate to UNICEF?

 

Karlyn: My role is to Break the Silence and to put a real voice to the issue. We the survivors are people you know. We are real. We are not victims. My aim is to get as many pledges as possible from Caribbean Nationals and to take that back to UNICEF and the elected officials to show that we are standing up for the children of the Caribbean. We need to send a strong message to the Government and other key individuals who can change the health or legal framework to better protect children. I will need your help and the help of every individual out there to break the silence and to get loud about what really matters.

 

Lovee: Count me in! How are you today? How are you coping with being a victim of child sexual abuse, and how are you fighting or dealing with those demons on a daily basis?

Karlyn: I am doing great! Prioir to sharing my story publicy I had a few mini heart attacks…LOL..I had anxiety attacks, I cried for no reason! I was a total mess…LOL. But I have a great support system. My family are my biggest supporters, my mom, dad, brother and sisters , my cousins, my BFF Heidi – gosh I don’t know what I would do without her – they are amazing and are great cheerleaders. My incredible boyfriend Jason  who has strong and broad shoulders for me to lean on and boy do I lean on them. I  Thank God for his patience and love. My dear friend Komal who is also a Social Worker so we have a number of talk and discussion sessions. At work we have a 24 hour support line which is open for employees.  I  also have my incredible sisters from SisterTalk – It’s a monthly group meeting of enlightened women form different professions, we meet once a month and we open our hearts and share our ”elephant” stories. It’s a night of fun, laughter, tears and of course great wine!..LOL. I am lucky I have a great community of friends and people who love me.

 

 

Lovee: Those support systems or ”circle of light” as I call them are so important, so needed. Happy you have them.  I would be nothing without them. What advice would you give to anyone reading this interview who is a victim, or was a victim of sexual abuse?

 

Karlyn: First thing I would say is that  it is NOT your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong. And YOU are NOT a victim! If you are here, you survived. You are not what happened to you. We have suffered enough. We’ve been through the nightmare. And we have carried the blame, fear, shame and guilt for years. It is now time to act like a survivor and take your power back.

Get the help you need to get back on track to reaching your full potential. Child Sexual Abuse is a Human Right Issue and you have a right to feel beautiful and most importantly you have a right to reach your full potential. And I would give them a hug as well. (smile)

Dr Brene Brown, a vulnerablility and shame expert and one of my fav authors said this:

“Shame hates it when we reach out and tell our story. Shame can’t survive being shared. Shame loves secrecy.”

So I am telling my story and defying shame and I hope that one day in their own way that they too can tell their story.

 

Lovee: Kudos to you! I know you will inspire many by sharing your story. When you initially told me that you were going to reveal something to the world that would change your life, I encouraged you to speak your truth, but we all know that sometimes the truth can come with much criticism and feeling a bit vulnerable, it’s so much easier to wear that mask right?:) But I can remember telling you that it will be the most liberated you will ever feel, and probably the most at peace too. I know you’ve only just revealed this news, but now that you’ve revealed this ”elephant,” to the world, do you feel liberated and at peace?

 

Karlyn: I feel like a heavy weight has been lifted! LOL. I feel stronger walking in my truth. I feel authentic that I can finally speak from my true voice – from sharing where I found my strength. And I feel that I have permission to visit my darkest days and to talk about them. I am no longer afraid when I go there. I can acknowledge it –publicly! LOL.. And while facing my elephant doesnt take it away, it definitely has changed my approach to life. No more editing and putting  a part of me in a box. All of me is showing up for life, so watch out world!.:)

 

Again I love this quote form Dr Brene Brown.“Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

 

Lovee: Cheers to that! I’m loving the new YOU!:) You will soon begin to see that by taking the first step, God will lead you to the entire staircase, and your true purpose and destiny will be defined. And, it won’t always be easy, to whom much is given, much is expected and required,  and those TESTS, they just never seem to end,LOL… but something tells me that you will be just fine. (Smiling) I’m proud of you, and I pray that God continues to give you the strength, courage and  wisdom as you continue to use your life and voice to make a difference in the lives of many, especially children. If I can ever be of help, please, don’t hesitate to ask.

 

Karlyn: Thank you Lovee (Smiling) You know I will be calling upon you for help. And thank you for the prayers, I will always need them. Secrecy around child sexual abuse is a warm and safe place for lots of people and I know that lots of people will be angry that I am threathening their warm and safe place but it’s time. And I am looking forward to having all of you join me  to help me Break the Silence. Thank you for the opportunity. It is a pleasure as always chatting with you. You’re an inspiration to us all, inlcuding me and I love your energy and drive. You too have shared your ’elephant’ and I know that you have inspired many. We need more women facing their truth. To all the women reading this: Know that you are not alone. Whatever your ’elephant” is – you have the strength and the courage to face it. It lies within! Pretty soon women will be able to share their elephant and also take the pledge to end Child Sexual Abuse via my website.. It’s still under construction but will be fully functional in about two weeks. Keep doing what you are doing Lovee! The world needs more women like you. *muah*

 

 

Lovee: Thank you for the kind words and encouragement! Like you, I am always a work in progress, but all we can do is try to live our best lives and be our best selves, no matter how many times we fall and faulter, we just have to keep trying and keep going. When we know better, we should do better.  I’ll keep trying, and in the process encourage others to do the same…(Smiling)

 

To learn more about Karlyn Percil, visit her website at www.karlynpercil.com