tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61790181769547342132024-03-13T00:47:19.822-04:00Kisses From Dolce: No Secrets No ShameA sharing place for survivors of child sexual abuse and their supportersSusan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.comBlogger133125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-71379968190868662892015-07-20T09:56:00.000-04:002016-09-29T11:49:40.402-04:00What The Cosby Revelations Teach Us About Facade and Abuse<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9u52jjJwZyk/Vazy1QHPy2I/AAAAAAAAAWs/Upf7JfC-aho/s1600/SusanSandbox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9u52jjJwZyk/Vazy1QHPy2I/AAAAAAAAAWs/Upf7JfC-aho/s200/SusanSandbox.JPG" width="187" /></a></div>
<br />
I will not post a photo of him - you know who he is and what he looks like. Instead, I post a photo of me: 2 years old, 5 years before my own sexual abuse at the hands of a man everyone thought was the greatest guy. SHE deserves the spotlight...not he. Cosby hasn't been accused of child sexual abuse, but the lessons from what he has been accused of, juxtaposed with his image, are vital to those seeking to prevent CSA.<br />
I was once a Cosby fan; my husband and I were loyal viewers of The Cosby Show, laughing til we couldn't breathe, musing at his seeming parental and marital wisdom, admiring of his educational achievements and his philanthropy. Needless to say, those days are over.<br />
It's hard to miss the revelations of late: Cosby, in his own words, explaining his behaviors and thought processes regarding his extra-marital sexual conquests. After years of public denials, the assertions of his accusers seem validated. Sobering, to say the least, to any who held out hope that the Cosby they had adored was true to the projected image.<br />
For me, as a child sex abuse prevention educator, the revelations are not a surprise - particularly regarding the dissonance between image and reality - and are a teachable moment, one I have repeated many times throughout my career: <b><i>the person you are so sure you know, the man/woman who would NEVER do such a thing, is beyond reproach, trusted, perhaps revered, even loved, can, in fact, be an abuser. </i></b>When it comes to child sexual abuse, 90% of children abused are abused by someone the family knows and trusts. Statistics repeatedly bear this out. "Stranger danger" can happen, but it is the statistical minority. Adults and caregivers, policy-makers in the lives of children need to understand and accept this in order to create sufficient protections. <br />
Additionally, when children disclose abuse, 95.5% of them are telling the truth. When a child discloses to you, he/she is taking a huge risk: most never tell. Fears of not being believed (especially in the face of naming someone everyone, including the child, believed was wonderful), fears of repercussions, being isolated, a major life upheaval, all come into play. When a child discloses to you, they are trusting you. Honor that trust. Be calm, listen thoughtfully, don't ask leading questions and, most important of all, BELIEVE him or her and say so. Even if your insides are screaming; even if your mind is saying "this can't be true;" even if you're thinking your life will fall apart (if the accused is a spouse, partner, parent, grandparent or other relative). <b>BELIEVE. Then...REPORT.</b> You can fall apart afterward - to a trusted friend, partner, therapist - but in the moment of disclosure you need to be there 100% for this child. Your support and calm will never be lost on him/her.<br />
It is not your job to investigate. It is your job to take what this child has said and report it to child protective services (or call 911 if the child is in imminent danger - perhaps the abuser is coming to pick them up from your school or program). It is then in the hands of professionals trained to move forward.<br />
Do your part: turn intention into action and help a child who is reaching out. Believe their words, not the facade you cannot bear to part with. It is a dissonance, for sure, but as more community adults become versed in how child sex abuse happens and what it takes to resolve it, support for that devastating awareness will burgeon. Heed the lesson...it may make all the difference in the life of a child you know.<br />
For more information on child sexual abuse statistics and prevention, visit <a href="http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.6143427/k.38C5/Child_Sexual_Abuse_Statistics.htm">Darkness To Light</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Kisses From Dolce: A Book for Children About Trusting and Telling" is available for purchase at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kisses-From-Dolce-Children-Trusting/dp/1425181384">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kisses-from-dolce-susan-komisar-hausman/1123670135?ean=9781425181383">Bar</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kisses-from-dolce-susan-komisar-hausman/1123670135?ean=9781425181383">nes and Noble</a>, </span><a href="http://bookstore.trafford.com/Products/SKU-000143601/Kisses-From-Dolce.aspx">Trafford Publishing</a> and directly from me at <a href="mailto:KissesFromDolce@gmail.com">KissesFromDolce@gmail.com</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-21926791959487737212015-05-29T17:57:00.000-04:002015-05-29T18:00:32.770-04:00Prevent Abuse and React ResponsiblyChild sexual abuse lurks in so many places. Please...put policies in place in your
lives that protect children and believe, believe, believe them when, if,
they disclose abuse or tell you they do not like a particular person. Give
your children the voice they deserve.<br />
You can learn more about turning your good intentions for children into action: take <a href="http://www.d2l.org/">Darkness To Light's</a> <a href="http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.6243681/k.86C/Child_Sexual_Abuse_Prevention_Training.htm">Stewards of Children</a> abuse prevention training for adults, <a href="http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.6216651/k.5B9C/Prevention_in_Your_Area.htm">live</a> or online. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/30/us/politics/hastert-indictment.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&bicmp=AD&bicmlukp=WT.mc_id&bicmst=1409232722000&bicmet=1419773522000&_r=0">http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/30/us/politics/hastert-indictment.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&bicmp=AD&bicmlukp=WT.mc_id&bicmst=1409232722000&bicmet=1419773522000&_r=0</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ciframe%20width=%22560%22%20height=%22315%22%20src=%22https://www.youtube.com/embed/AOd0b7S4p6o%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AOd0b7S4p6o" width="560"></iframe></a><br />Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-88817372852771828742014-04-15T13:37:00.000-04:002015-02-25T10:17:39.806-05:00My Moment With Charles Grodin<i>Reflecting during this Child Abuse Prevention Month, several themes from my own life have come to mind. Today I share with you a "light" memory - "light" in the sense that while an otherwise "heavy" lifelong theme, intimidation, is the basis for the event I write about, the concomitant behavior, and the response to it, have a humorous edge, one that makes me smile even today. And a very familiar talent graces the anecdote :)</i><br />
<i>I hope you enjoy...</i><br />
<i> </i><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->Driving recently, listening to WCBS talk radio out of New York, I heard the
spot of regular contributor, actor/author Charles Grodin. Typically less than a
minute long, Grodin’s comments cover a wide range of topics, all thoughtful musings delivered in his unique way. I can’t say I’ve
always agreed with the positions he’s proffered, but I’ve always taken the time
to turn up the volume and listen. Just hearing his voice evokes a smile – no
matter the topic – and calls up a moment in my memory, from almost 20 years
ago, a moment a dear friend of mine once proclaimed was "your moment with
Charles Grodin!"<br />
<br />
Back then I was working at Klein's of Westport, a now-defunct store that,
for years, had been a fixture on Main Street in the upscale Connecticut town.
Klein's sold many things - office supplies, and stationery among them. It was
also home to (prior to the burgeoning of Barnes and Noble and Amazon) a vital,
well-respected book department. I’d had enough of my accounting career and so pursued,
then accepted, an offer from the store’s book department manager for a job.<br />
<br />
I loved it at Klein’s. Smack dab in the middle of Westport, with a grand
window view of the bustling street, the environment was just the change I'd
needed from my accounting life. There was the occasional off day, but overall
working at the store was a welcome experience - a relief. I felt my emotional
load lighten dramatically.<br />
<br />
Part of the fun of working at the store was the parade of celebrity
clientele. Donna Summer, Whoopi Goldberg, Harry Connick, Jr., Linda Blair,
Patty Hearst, Jose Feliciano (he'd jokingly asked for a copy of Playboy - in
Braille) among them. Early one evening, Keith Richards came strolling in.
Apparently, he'd parked behind the store and was cutting through, making his
way to Main Street. Everything came to a standstill when we realized the rock
icon was in our midst. He looked exactly like photos I'd seen over the
years, every hard-living line etched on his evocative face. That was a cool moment.<br />
<br />
Then there was Mr. Grodin. I’d seen him in the store once or twice and I’d
taken note. He was much taller than I ever would have guessed (Wikipedia says
he’s 6 feet tall). He’d thoughtfully meander through the books, often intensely
examining an item or two. Once, he’d inquired of a co-worker about a particular
title; when he left, she’d asked me to check its availability as she was
leaving for the day. I did. When I discovered the book was no longer in print,
I called the number she’d given me to let him know.<br />
<br />
“Hello?”<br />
“Mr. Grodin?”<br />
“Who’s this?”<br />
“Hi, Mr. Grodin. This is Susan at Klein’s book department. I’m getting back
to you about [can’t remember the title of the book]. I wanted to let you know
it’s out of print. I'm sorry, but we cannot get it.”<br />
“Okay. Well, thanks.”<br />
“We just wanted to get back to you as soon as we could.”<br />
“Okay. Thank you.”<br />
“Thank you. Bye.”<br />
<br />
So, even before "my moment" happened, Mr. G. and I had conversed.
I'd managed my nerves. I'd handled it well: business-like, respectful. At times
in my life, intimidation had gotten the better of me. Not this time. I’d gotten
the job done.<br />
<br />
So when he sauntered in one day and brought several books to the register
for purchase, I should have been ready for him. Really. And I wasn't even the
one doing the ringing, which would have required conversation - my co-worker
was. My job was solely to gift wrap the books. No conversation necessary, just
wrap.<br />
<br />
There were a lot of books. When my co-worker was done
ringing, I was still wrapping. Co-worker moved on to next customer. I kept
wrapping. And the entire time I was wrapping, I wouldn't look up at him. I was
shy. So self-conscious. Intimidation had smacked me over the head! I knew he
was still standing right there in front of me, but I just could not bring
myself to look up. At all. Even between books. Mr. G. said nary a word. I kept
wrapping. Looking down and wrapping.<br />
<br />
When I finally finished and I knew I had no choice but to look up at him, I
did. And there he was, Charles Grodin, looking me straight in the eyes, with a
Cheshire cat grin spread wide across his face. He knew I had to look
eventually...and this was that moment! Seeing his grin and the glint in his
eye, I just could not keep from letting out a laugh. And a “thank you.” <br />
<br />
<br />Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-41412217603823090622014-04-15T13:17:00.000-04:002014-04-15T13:17:13.796-04:00In Memory and In HonorThinking of all those affected by events one year ago today in Boston. Stay <a class="twitter-hashtag pretty-link js-nav" data-query-source="hashtag_click" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23BostonStrong&src=hash"><b>#BostonStrong</b></a>. We remember and support you.Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-48840401297710818872014-03-08T10:57:00.001-05:002014-03-08T10:57:17.630-05:00Little Bit of Wisdom...<span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">“</span></span><span class="usercontent"><span style="color: #ff33cc; font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 16.0pt;">When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in
you, a joy.” ~ Rumi</span></span>Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-19353085611117550852014-02-22T08:19:00.000-05:002014-02-22T08:20:14.256-05:00Resilience<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2V-tznTF4KY/Uwii7mI6gFI/AAAAAAAAATA/x8A-szNOpaI/s1600/FairfieldFlowers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2V-tznTF4KY/Uwii7mI6gFI/AAAAAAAAATA/x8A-szNOpaI/s1600/FairfieldFlowers2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Psychology Magazine defines "resilience" this way: "Resilience is that
ineffable quality that allows some people to be knocked down by life and
come back stronger than ever." Yep...with an intact heart and a much
clearer lens.<br />
Grateful for all good things...time to make it a great
day. Hope yours is great, as well.<br />
<br />
Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-40655476233498454022014-02-20T11:24:00.000-05:002016-09-29T11:53:27.809-04:00I Have NOT Authorized Any PDF Downloads Of "Kisses From Dolce"It has just come to my attention that a website, calling itself Qwedbooks, is offering, for a fee, pdf downloads of my book and others. I cannot speak for any other author, but I have NOT authorized anyone other than <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kisses-From-Dolce-Children-Trusting/dp/1425181384">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kisses-from-dolce-susan-komisar-hausman/1123670135?ean=9781425181383">Barnes and Noble</a>, and <a href="http://bookstore.trafford.com/Products/SKU-000143601/Kisses-From-Dolce.aspx">Trafford Publishing</a> to sell my book. The Qwedbooks website, which has a root address at vfrbooks.com, requests credit card information from anyone seeking to access my book - do not give them any of your personal or financial info. My attorneys are taking care of this on my end; I feel it necessary to warn you all about this scam.<br />
Thank you.<br />
<br />Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-46668688898386250192014-02-12T14:42:00.000-05:002014-02-12T14:54:30.970-05:00On His 205th Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YaY69OGDMuQ/UvvK6zmMxJI/AAAAAAAAASg/X1VNF9X3CJw/s1600/Abraham_Lincoln_November_1863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YaY69OGDMuQ/UvvK6zmMxJI/AAAAAAAAASg/X1VNF9X3CJw/s1600/Abraham_Lincoln_November_1863.jpg" height="320" width="259" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i> "Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm." </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>~ Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States</i></b></div>
<br />
President Lincoln had many things about which to stand firm, not the least of which was slavery. He clearly put his feet in the right place. His actions changed our culture and our country forever.<br />
What do you stand firm about?<br />
Put your feet in the right place and stand firm against child sexual abuse. Use your time to learn what it takes to keep kids safe, then use your voice to speak out and educate others. It's not all that hard to do.<br />
Visit <a href="http://d2l.org/">Darkness To Light</a> - take a 2 hour training - in person or online. Many of the trainings are offered free of charge, like those we offer at the <a href="http://www.oldcolonyymca.org/main-social-responsibility/advocacy/child-protection">Old Colony YMCA</a> in Massachusetts.<br />
You can also visit <a href="http://stopitnow.org/">Stop It Now</a> and peruse their extensive resources.<br />
Read, learn, share, discuss - that's what it takes to stand firm against abuse.<br />
Put your feet in the right place; let's change our culture, our country, our world forever. Our children deserve it.<br />
<br />Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-54066716214581806472014-02-06T09:08:00.000-05:002014-02-06T09:10:02.525-05:00"Puppy Love"<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uQB7QRyF4p4" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
I know, I know...it's a beer commercial! But....it just makes me smile! I love the little guy marching so tall, strutting his stuff as he leads the Clydesdale pack at 0:48. I especially love the little slurp at 0:14...after all, I am partial to a slurp from a little doggie.<br />
Mostly, though, I love this because, as a soon-to-be-published great writer I'm very close to once wrote, "the heart wants what it wants." Ain't that the truth.<br />
Enjoy :) <br />
<br />Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-56874050224685804042014-02-04T20:36:00.000-05:002015-04-19T03:13:23.681-04:00So Long, Little Muse<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4eqm1gO9xCc/THRXTi6jS3I/AAAAAAAAAJI/NBIJkv9sHxg/s1600/DolceBeachpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4eqm1gO9xCc/THRXTi6jS3I/AAAAAAAAAJI/NBIJkv9sHxg/s1600/DolceBeachpic.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"> “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">~ Will Rogers</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">~ Mark Twain </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Joyful, joyful, joyful,<br />as only dogs know how to be happy<br />with only the autonomy<br />of their shameless spirit.” </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">~ Pablo Neruda </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">“Happiness is a warm puppy.”
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">~ Charles Schulz</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">~Ben Williams</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: georgia, bookman old style, palatino linotype, book antiqua, palatino, trebuchet ms, helvetica, garamond, sans-serif, arial, verdana, avante garde, century gothic, comic sans ms, times, times new roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Goodbye, sweet Dolce...and thanks.</span> </b></span>
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-23933051496957916352014-02-02T13:49:00.000-05:002015-10-20T17:02:15.914-04:00Five Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NMP9TEurwyM/UuhOlxqRf3I/AAAAAAAAASA/8WkCNJEI1lY/s1600/Cover+JPEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NMP9TEurwyM/UuhOlxqRf3I/AAAAAAAAASA/8WkCNJEI1lY/s1600/Cover+JPEG.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This past week marked five years since I published "Kisses From Dolce: A Book for Children About Trusting and Telling." Launched with events both in Massachusetts and Connecticut, my little self-published book was off to an exciting, meaningful start. I had, and still do have, great support from so many people.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Not long after the book's release, I received an interview request from reporter Eileen Fischer of The Connecticut Post. With an illustrated front page teaser that featured my main character, Sophia, the resultant article was everything I had hoped it would be. You can read my original post about that article <a href="http://kissesfromdolce.blogspot.com/2010/03/what-kids-should-know.html">here.</a> My interview with Eileen was quite extensive, yet I found myself floored when I read these words:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">"<span style="color: black;">three
years ago, during one of her frequent visits to Fairfield, where she
grew up, Hausman met a sweet Italian greyhound named Dolce, that
changed her life."</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"That changed her life!" Wasn't that a bit dramatic, I'd thought? After all, I'd never used those words, not in the interview or anywhere else. Ever. But, as time wore on and, especially now, from this 5 year vantage point, I believe she'd been correct. Though I'd already spent years fighting the good prevention fight, partnering with Darkness To Light and educating hundreds of adults, "Kisses From Dolce" broadened my path considerably: new people, new programs, new initiatives. Not to mention what it had brought to my own healing journey. When the book's words tumbled out of me and I read them aloud, I understood them immediately as a metaphor for my own road. That is its own incredible story.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So now, here I was, helping others not just to prevent, but to feel courageous enough to stand up and speak out. Clearly, Ms. Fischer had heard in my story that which I could not yet recognize.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As months passed, there were reading events, speaking engagements, interviews
by a variety of media. I was approached, often, by survivors eager
to move along the prevention/response message and, often, also, to soothe themselves. Numerous people
bought multiple copies, usually to distribute to community
venues - libraries, schools, doctor's offices - but also to their loved ones. I noticed a heightened sensibility from older survivors regarding their youngest family members. They wanted to offer what had never been offered to them: a voice. They still do.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I documented many of the precious experiences I had in the wake of the book's release here on the blog:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://kissesfromdolce.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=50">http://kissesfromdolce.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=50 </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://kissesfromdolce.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=31">http://kissesfromdolce.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=31</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But, to this day, one of the deepest, most meaningful post-publication moments came when a young girl, no older than 10 or 11, came up to me after a speaking event, while I was signing books. I knew she'd been gifted a copy in weeks prior as the purchaser had received permission from the girl's mother both to purchase and for me to inscribe. The young lady approached, and, suddenly, with a ferocity that belied her lithe build, she grabbed me and hugged me... and hugged and hugged and hugged. To this day I can recall the intensity. No words were uttered; no words were necessary. THIS was the quintessential expression of why "Kisses From Dolce."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I had always said when creating the book that if it helped just one child, one person, it would have been worth it. There truly are no adequate words to capture where the book and the surrounding experiences resonate with me. In fact, I began a draft of this post two weeks ago, in anticipation of the anniversary; it's taken edit after edit to come even somewhat close to my intention.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">All I know is this: that little doggie, that little slurp, the inspiration and tenacity to make the book a reality, the overwhelming compassion and support - both before and after publication - the response in the years since "Kisses From Dolce's" release are a continual reminder of why...and purpose...life's challenges and mysteries. It's been an awesome journey. It for sure has changed my life...and I will forever be grateful. Thank you all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jXMG1HqdOJQ/Sacs_PA7lDI/AAAAAAAAABY/tRVuk-sy_UU/s1600/PIC00643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jXMG1HqdOJQ/Sacs_PA7lDI/AAAAAAAAABY/tRVuk-sy_UU/s1600/PIC00643.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Kisses From Dolce: A Book for Children About Trusting and Telling" is available for purchase at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kisses-From-Dolce-Children-Trusting/dp/1425181384">Amazon</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> or </span>directly from me at <a href="mailto:KissesFromDolce@gmail.com">KissesFromDolce@gmail.com</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-66288848041663126272013-10-29T21:23:00.000-04:002013-10-29T21:23:10.528-04:00Wonderful Team!It's been a very long time since I posted here...time for that to change!<br />
Tonight we held our Old Colony YMCA quarterly D2L facilitator dinner meeting - gathering to share and strategize about moving our prevention efforts forward. As always, it was an informative, motivational evening. We've been making great strides with our initiative and, especially now, with the roll out of Stewards of Children 2.0, we are re-energized to move ahead and train many more community adults. <br />
I'm so proud of this team!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-htckghNDtKQ/UnBdiWncIDI/AAAAAAAAARc/T2HjvL4c4wA/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-htckghNDtKQ/UnBdiWncIDI/AAAAAAAAARc/T2HjvL4c4wA/s320/image.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Photo by Kim MoranSusan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-5876903925947654422013-04-01T15:00:00.000-04:002013-04-01T15:00:07.776-04:00Right On<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aYC7K0rmznQ/UVnY6q-NdbI/AAAAAAAAAQo/i0dTyBoX9Zc/s1600/156858_515965445116095_1701558228_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aYC7K0rmznQ/UVnY6q-NdbI/AAAAAAAAAQo/i0dTyBoX9Zc/s320/156858_515965445116095_1701558228_n.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-5733782446282018862013-03-23T16:02:00.000-04:002013-03-23T16:02:45.124-04:00Oh, Yes...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bq4Kz32AY30/UU4JwMRn6BI/AAAAAAAAAQY/vO9Bg62ADPY/s1600/601077_836188355125_1553107538_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bq4Kz32AY30/UU4JwMRn6BI/AAAAAAAAAQY/vO9Bg62ADPY/s320/601077_836188355125_1553107538_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-52159185247522195732013-03-17T10:32:00.000-04:002013-03-17T10:32:34.259-04:00A "Banner" Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33rScoRNO2Q/UUXR3HOrZkI/AAAAAAAAAQI/SSrQarAOhH8/s1600/DolceBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33rScoRNO2Q/UUXR3HOrZkI/AAAAAAAAAQI/SSrQarAOhH8/s400/DolceBanner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[30].[1][2][1]{comment4573536453002_2414239}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[30].[1][2][1]{comment4573536453002_2414239}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[30].[1][2][1]{comment4573536453002_2414239}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to my new friend, the incredibly talented Marianne McCarthy, </span><span id=".reactRoot[30].[1][2][1]{comment4573536453002_2414239}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[2]">for this beautiful banner! Marianne is so artistic; see her stunning
wire creations and more on her <a href="http://www.facebook.com/WiredByMarizcreationz?ref=ts&fref=ts">Facebook page</a>. Marianne - you really captured
my heart and Dolce's charm with this. </span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[30].[1][2][1]{comment4573536453002_2414239}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[30].[1][2][1]{comment4573536453002_2414239}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[30].[1][2][1]{comment4573536453002_2414239}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[2]">Thank you!!</span></span></span>Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-59686170602907235442013-02-25T20:44:00.000-05:002015-01-09T15:05:01.704-05:00Stamford JCC Paves Prevention Path!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lP8HiV_y2bg/USwJWVmUUII/AAAAAAAAAOw/QGZkgl3_X30/s1600/552777_358596634177383_770056840_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lP8HiV_y2bg/USwJWVmUUII/AAAAAAAAAOw/QGZkgl3_X30/s1600/552777_358596634177383_770056840_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm so happy to announce that the Stamford, Connecticut JCC (Jewish Community Center) is the first JCC in the U.S. to attain the Partner In Prevention designation from Darkness To Light! It is also the first, and only, organization in Connecticut to have attained the designation! Partner In Prevention status is earned by an organization when at least 90% of its staff have been trained in D2L's Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training for adults. Almost 100% of Stamford's staff have been trained! Additionally, the JCC has been delivering the award-winning Stewards prevention training to other organizations in the Stamford area since May 2012. To date, almost 300 adults have been trained under the JCC's tutelage.<br />
Why am I proud? Because I am the Darkness To Light instructor who had the privilege of training the trainers, the JCC's facilitators who are now out there educating their community. The JCC's effort, under the direction of CEO, Eric Koehler, and Associate Executive Director, Nancy Schiffman, has been committed and impassioned from Day 1, an outgrowth of their belief that community adults have a responsibility to keep kids as safe as possible. It's been an honor to get to know them and to have been, even in a small way, a part of their great team. <br />
If you would like to learn more about earning Partner In Prevention status from Darkness to Light, <a href="http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.6456079/k.60F9/Partner_in_Prevention_Qualifications.htm">click here</a>.<br />
If you are in or near Stamford, CT and would like more info about the JCC's trainings, contact Nancy Schiffman at <a href="mailto:nschiffman@stamfordjcc.org">nschiffman@stamfordjcc.org</a> or 203-322-7900.<br />
My hat is off to Eric, Nancy and their entire team for turning intention into action, creating this initiative and running with it. No doubt, there will be many, many children in their sphere living safer, happier, more whole lives because of their efforts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0SpFsGm-qCw/USvF6mr_CnI/AAAAAAAAAOg/4QVXr-qLpis/s1600/training+pic+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0SpFsGm-qCw/USvF6mr_CnI/AAAAAAAAAOg/4QVXr-qLpis/s320/training+pic+17.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-geNZH9-Iuv0/USwRh-9sF8I/AAAAAAAAAPI/c7xfF5QnkJs/s1600/training+pic+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-geNZH9-Iuv0/USwRh-9sF8I/AAAAAAAAAPI/c7xfF5QnkJs/s320/training+pic+3.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-72518616971348805072012-12-19T14:03:00.000-05:002012-12-19T14:03:48.688-05:00Voices Sing<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IO64urOFNaY" width="560"></iframe><br />Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-88261183168984664612012-12-16T09:54:00.000-05:002012-12-21T07:30:33.823-05:00A Salute and A Prayer<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif";">Teachers can take a lot of guff in
our society and, when that is deserved, be it from abusing a child or colluding
to cover up abuse, they deserve not only the guff but a stiff criminal penalty.
But truth is, in addition to teaching reading, writing and arithmetic, teachers
and their administrators often are our children's first lines of defense at
school, whether the danger be a sexual predator or a madman with enough rounds
of ammunition to obliterate multiple classrooms. This is one of the reasons I
and my associates work so hard with teachers and school administrators to get
all staff trained in abuse prevention/response and encourage community parents
to get trained themselves and insist on such training for their schools. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif";">My hat is off to the many teachers
and other staff who have worked so hard with me in that endeavor, inviting me
to train at their schools, beseeching their superiors to make such education
mandatory, laboring to understand an aching child's symptoms in an effort to
help, agonizing when they realize their charges have been suffering. My hat is
off to, and my heart aches for, those children who have been victims when such
measures and caring were not in place. In the wake of the tragedy in my beloved
home state of CT, my hat is off to, and my heart aches for, especially, those
teachers and staff who literally put themselves between the killer and the kids
on Friday in Newtown, wanting nothing more than to keep those children safe. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif";">May we never forget and may their
memories be forever for a blessing.</span><span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-19787301055208262112012-12-10T10:51:00.001-05:002012-12-10T10:51:48.284-05:00Oh, yes...<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 18.0pt;">"The
pen that writes your life story must be held in your own hand." </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: magenta;"><span style="font-family: "Monotype Corsiva"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> ~ Dr.
Irene C. Kassorla</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-77960482168905475832012-10-25T22:13:00.000-04:002012-10-25T22:13:05.141-04:00Angel Haze<span class="userContent">Wow...this young singer tells it just like it
is in her song "Cleanin' Out My Closet," which can be found on YouTube.
It is raw, raw, raw and as real as it gets from a survivor; the title
alone is amazing. </span><br />
<span class="userContent">WARNING: if you believe that a brutally </span><span class="userContent"><span class="userContent">honest, blunt language recounting of someone's child sexual abuse experience will trigger you, do not watch the video. </span>If you do choose to watch, listen carefully to her words, her feelings, her vehement assertions.</span><br />
<span class="userContent">Below is the link to the NYT article about her...have a
look:</span><br />
<span class="userContent"><br /> <a href="http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/talking-to-angel-haze/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/10/24/talking-to-angel-haze/</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="userContent"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7bZ08RNUyM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7bZ08RNUyM</a> </span>Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-43141622209843472092012-10-09T13:45:00.000-04:002012-10-09T13:45:30.496-04:00Sentencing Day<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody"><span class="userContent">"The
crime is not only what you did to their bodies but to their psyches and
their souls and the assault to the well-being of the larger community
in which we all live." - Judge John Cleland.<br /> </span></span></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody"><span class="userContent">And so many who knew did nothing...</span></span></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<br /></div>
<div class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody"><span class="userContent"><a href="http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/09/14315772-jerry-sandusky-gets-30-to-60-years-for-child-sex-abuse">http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/10/09/14315772-jerry-sandusky-gets-30-to-60-years-for-child-sex-abuse</a> </span></span></div>
Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-90338096074015013012012-09-06T13:50:00.001-04:002012-09-06T22:37:53.530-04:00A Letter to E.L. James From Darkness To Light Founder Anne Lee<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdn0g_Ai8yo/UEd-EH6vXyI/AAAAAAAAAN0/ryjK2a0c0WI/s1600/IMG_1781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdn0g_Ai8yo/UEd-EH6vXyI/AAAAAAAAAN0/ryjK2a0c0WI/s1600/IMG_1781.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<i>As I've traveled this road combating child sexual abuse, few people have impacted the journey more than Anne Lee. A true inspiration, Anne was the visionary who, in 2001, founded Darkness To Light, the non-profit based in Charleston, SC, whose mission is to educate adults to "prevent, recognize and react responsibly" to child sexual abuse. 11 years after its creation, Darkness To Light continues to educate thousands of adults each year. Authorized facilitators around the globe lead the acclaimed 2.5 hour Stewards of Children, the abuse prevention training named the Crime Prevention Program of the Year in 2007 by the National Crime Prevention Council.</i><br />
<i>Though Anne is no longer at the helm of Darkness To Light, her impassioned work to end child sexual abuse continues. Her new consulting group, Greater Good Advisors, is about to launch. In April 0f 2011, she was named a "Hero Among Us" by People Magazine.</i><br />
<i>I am thrilled to host Anne here for a guest post, a letter to "Fifty Shades of Grey" author E. L. James. I warn you now - if you do not want the hows and whys of Christian Grey revealed to you, don't read this post. For all others, Anne's words speak for themselves. As someone with an abuse background, I wasn't sure when I went to read James' first book in the trilogy if it might be triggering. But I, like so many, enjoyed the story and the relationship portrayed and, particularly, the humanity of the characters, especially Christian. He is a complex man. Anne understands that, too, and as she has many times before, she sees a teaching opportunity. Have a look. </i><br />
<i>Thanks, and kudos, Anne Lee, for all you've done to make this world a better place for children.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Dear Ms. James,</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As the founder of Darkness to Light, <a href="http://www.d2l.org/" target="_blank"> www.D2L.org</a> - the nation's only evidence-based primary prevention program educating adults about child sexual abuse, with over 5000 facilitators in 49 states and 15 countries - I want to applaud your huge success and telling the story of the "50 Shades" from the majorly important and seldom told point of view of Christian's pain and childhood trauma. Maybe one of the reasons so many resonate with "50" is that approximately 20% of all adults have sexual abuse in their history. Horrifically amazing, but true. </div><div class="MsoNormal">My fervent hope is that as the movie is created and developed, the core issue of his abuse is not glossed over. As a consultant, I would be delighted to work with your team. We have an opportunity through this movie to bring the conversation of physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect to the forefront of societal consciences. The demand for prevention and the creation of a national standard of care for our children might be made reality through efforts like yours. I know you get it. I can tell from your writing. In many ways you wrote my story - like so many others. </div><div class="MsoNormal">May the light go before you and all that is good find its way to you. For this huge work, I thank you. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anne </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #f79646;"> <wbr></wbr> </span><span style="color: #e36c0a;"><b> Anne Lee </b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e36c0a;"> <wbr></wbr> </span><span style="color: #ffc000;">Principal</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #e36c0a;"> Greater Good Advisors, LLC<br />
</span></b><span style="color: #e36c0a;"> 672 Ellis Oaks Avenue</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e36c0a;"> Charleston, SC 29412</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #e36c0a;"> <wbr></wbr> 843.437.8416 <wbr></wbr> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"> <a href="mailto:alee@ggoodadvisors.com" target="_blank">a<wbr></wbr>lee@ggoodadvisors.com</a> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kll7GyvMXSk/UEfUqtQ2QFI/AAAAAAAAAOE/NKvLm1F_UjA/s1600/GGAdvisors1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kll7GyvMXSk/UEfUqtQ2QFI/AAAAAAAAAOE/NKvLm1F_UjA/s1600/GGAdvisors1.png" /></a></div><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-22697089644655872392012-08-08T11:55:00.001-04:002014-02-15T11:16:28.206-05:00Beautiful Gabby Douglas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
My blood has been boiling lately regarding the disgraceful public words directed at Olympic champion Gabby Douglas' appearance. Floored by what we were hearing about her hair and her teeth, my family and I were perplexed. Huh??? What <i>we</i> saw each and every time we watched her compete and interview was an adorable, <i>talented</i>, hard-working, <i>talented</i>, bright, <i>talented</i> teenager. An incredible inspiration to every other child. Who were these people seeing something else? What was happening in their heads that even allowed space for such garbage? And garbage it was/is, garbage that also goes by another name: bullying.<br />
Whenever I land on an internet page that invites public comments, I recoil at the trash (usually anonymous or via pseudonym) directed at others. Nasty words about being ugly or "too" fat or "too" thin, to name a few, safely hurled from behind the coward's anonymous facade. I've said for years that those remarks are bullying, plain and simple, a stark reminder of just what kind of example we as a society set for our children when, ironically, simultaneously, we are rallying against child-to-child bullying, ramping up workshops and trainings to fight it. Are these people jealous? Do they hate their own lives, their own hair and teeth? Their own inability to shine in some aspect of their lives?<br />
How on earth can we say to our children, "You must not bully" when we adults do the very same thing? How can we effectively crack through the psyches of bullying adults so they look in the proverbial mirror and truly see themselves? How do we inspire kindness and character in human beings who've already, theoretically, grown up? I can tell you this: until we do and our children see adults behaving well toward one another, bullying between children will continue. No amount of words will make the difference - only behavior. The number one rule of teaching children is to lead by example - they watch us closely, taking it all in and then they follow the leader.<br />
Time for us to lead better.<br />
Until then, I say to Gabby Douglas, "You ROCK! Go out there with that beautiful head held high and grab your future the way you grabbed that All-Around medal. I know my family and I will be cheering your every step! Go, Gabby!"<br />
<br />Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-1471124726516242262012-08-06T11:23:00.003-04:002014-03-19T01:57:53.810-04:00Syracuse Y Leads The Way In Prevention<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1-PLMYavB4/UB_a_d08heI/AAAAAAAAANc/F722A5bKS90/s1600/photo%282%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q1-PLMYavB4/UB_a_d08heI/AAAAAAAAANc/F722A5bKS90/s320/photo%282%29.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1844179853"></span><span id="goog_1844179854"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
Just a few weeks ago I had the great pleasure of traveling to Syracuse, NY to lead a Darkness To Light Facilitator Workshop. Thanks to the determined efforts of the Syracuse Y's team leaders and workshop organizers, Kelly Miner and Cheryl Walker, folks attended from near and far, representing, among others, YMCAs, social service groups and child protective services. We learned together, shared with each other and by day's end I knew that 16 more empassioned, empowered leaders were heading back to their communities well prepared to educate adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse via Stewards of Children.<br />
Despite the long day that goes with a facilitator workshop, there is never a time when I don't leave feeling rewarded and enriched, both from having engaged with a new set of attendees and the knowledge that children in their spheres will be better served. I always hope that the workshop experience will stay with them as they pursue their prevention endeavors, knowing that, at least for 8 intense hours, they were surrounded by like-thinking people devoted to protecting kids.<br />
Thank you, Cheryl and Kelly for a meaningful day and wonderful opportunity.<br />
<br />
Photo: Cheryl Walker, me, Kelly MinerSusan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6179018176954734213.post-54694291716008744122012-07-12T22:07:00.000-04:002012-07-12T22:07:49.122-04:00What's Your Policy?Whether you are a youth-serving organization or just a plain old adult making decisions on behalf of the children in your life, you need policy. Child safety policy. I encourage you to visit <a href="http://www.darknesstolight.org/">Darkness To Light</a> and <a href="http://www.stopitnow.org/">Stop It Now</a> for more information on how to create the best possible policies in your orgs and in your lives. You are also welcome to contact me for any information regarding policy and prevention. It's time to change our culture to one that does not tolerate child sexual abuse.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="400" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/483895_409033955809245_671125233_n.jpg" width="400" />Susan Komisar Hausmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15943117957218039800noreply@blogger.com0