Child Abuse Monument

I received a note today about what I have been looking into on the connection between a history of child sexual abuse and the risk of a heart attack.

The recent early research resulting in the preliminary statistics of female survivors of sexual abuse having a 60 percent higher rate of heart attack and male survivors being 3 times more likely to have a heart attack than their peers gives scientific support for what seems quite intuitive.

Directly following my heart attack and stroke I thought, and people close to me commented that my heart disease was, in part, a result of a broken heart from my history of severe child abuse. Further to the direct wound in the heart, coping with the depression, anxiety, numbing, overwhelm and stress of a history of child abuse led to poor choices and behaviors in a variety of areas that contribute to heart disease.

Heart attacks are the number one killer for Canadians and Americans, more than all forms of cancer combined. As survivors reach into their 40s, 50s and 60s their risk of early death from a heart attack is going to be quite significant. My own heart attack led me to taking this risk quite seriously.

Following my work on the Child Abuse Monument, www.childabusemonument.com , I am now focusing on the dis-ease of the "Heart" that contributes to heart disease. My work, in part, is with post cardiac event clients and survivors of child abuse and PTSD who are at a higher risk of heart disease.

Because of my personal history, academic training, professional work and my social action art work in serving survivors of child abuse I have a particular desire to help reverse the dis-ease of the heart that places child abuse survivors at risk of a fatal heart attack or stroke.

Heart disease is preventable in 95% of cases and even severe heart disease is reverseable. Early death by a heart attack does not need to be a secondary victimization for being betrayed and harmed when one was young and innocent.

My passion is on looking at all that we mean by "Heart" and opening up the importance of "Living from the "Heart" to live for the heart. www.HeartWellness.irvingstudios.com

If there is a way I may serve you or any groups you are active with please contact me.

With a Full Heart,
Michael

Angus Glen Golf and Country Club in Markham was elegantly transformed for this year’s Hand-in-Hand Gala in support of the York Region Abuse Program Saturday night.

About 304 guests enjoyed the annual black-tie event that featured a night of live music by Leah Daniels, a live and silent auction, raffle draws and much more, all in support of the program and its continued efforts to service those in need.

In an effort to raise awareness of the organization, a unique addition was added this year.

An 11-ft. by 13-ft., 4,500-pound Reaching Out child abuse monument — a sculpture designed by psychotherapist and artist Dr. Michael Irving of Toronto — stood at the main entrance as a symbol of healing and support.

Built over a seven-year period beginning in 1995 by Mr. Irving and numerous professional sculptors, the monument is made up of 300 hand-sculpted squares designed by survivors and supporters he met during the process.

“There are a lot of war monuments that help people deal with the aftermath. I felt child abuse should have something along the same lines,” said Mr. Irving. “This was not only going to heal child abuse survivors, but the community as well.”

A team from Stadia Glass & Door, with guidance from owner Tim Byrne, generously moved the monument to the event.

“A job that would usually take four hours took us about 11 because of the rain,” said Mr. Byrne. “But we got it here and it looks great sitting out front. That’s all that matters. It’s for such a great cause.”

http://bit.ly/1ncnwaC

Hand-in-Hand gala a hit in support of York Region Abuse Program York Region