Staying Human
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On "All Things Considered" this afternoon, Melissa Block interviewed Clay Violand, who was in class when Seung-hui Cho entered the room and started shooting. Clay dove under a desk and survived. In the interview, Violand talks about how he maintained eye contact with the girl next to him, trying to "stay human."
That phrase hit me in my gut.
You see, I am a survivor too. Shortly before I turned 21, four men kidnapped me from my campus and spent the night raping me. They eventually let me go. I reported it the police, who caught them. They were convicted and went to prison.
But I vividly remember my feeling while it was happening, although I couldn't have named it until now. Clay Violand nailed it: staying human. I clung to the thought that this horror would end. Believing that helped keep the deep, deep fear from turning me into an animal.
Clay also talked about his certainty that he was about to die. I remember that feeling. At one point, one of the men said something - I forget what - and I knew I was going to die. It was blunt, but it was strangely freeing. I was no longer afraid; in fact, a feeling of peace descended on me, laced with sadness for my family.
Clay's made an appointment with a counselor. He's staying in Blacksburg; he wants to deal with this, get through it, and move on. He's right; that's what you do. You move on.
You stay human.
About Me
Fun's the name of my game, from practicing juggling to eating new foods to laughing at the silliness surrounding us. Join the fun here on Family.com and in my personal blog, Red Nose.
- June 2007
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- June 20, 2007
It's Not Goodbye - June 18, 2007
My Son, The Cop - June 16, 2007
I'm A Sucker for Happy Endings - June 13, 2007
Flickr for Photos - June 11, 2007
Fun with Face Painting - June 10, 2007
Our Unofficial Pet - June 6, 2007
Ride the Wild Zipper - June 4, 2007
Cook? No, They Did It for Me! - June 2, 2007
The Beach + Friends = Fun
- June 20, 2007
- May 2007
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- May 29, 2007
Digging for the Roots of the Family Tree - May 27, 2007
I Love Dove - May 25, 2007
Feeding the Hungry - May 22, 2007
Breakfast for Dinner - May 20, 2007
Fun with Folding - May 18, 2007
Hockey Hijinx - May 15, 2007
Professional Inspiration - May 13, 2007
To My Mother - May 11, 2007
Chocoholic? Try Dan's Delicious Chocolates! - May 9, 2007
Watching the Kids Play - May 7, 2007
Throw Some Stuff Around - May 4, 2007
Just Don't Call Me Ma'am - May 2, 2007
Speak Circus!
- May 29, 2007
- April 2007
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- April 30, 2007
When Pizza Goes Bad, Go BRAT - April 28, 2007
Smooth Move - April 25, 2007
Drive Time - April 23, 2007
A Little Planning Goes A Long Way - April 21, 2007
A Meal and A Show! - April 18, 2007
Staying Human - April 16, 2007
A Bloody Day in Blacksburg - April 16, 2007
My Favorite Staple Food - April 14, 2007
Black Thumb - April 11, 2007
Precious Objects - April 9, 2007
Road Games - April 6, 2007
Office Toys Save My Sanity - April 4, 2007
Let Freedom Ring: In Memoriam - April 2, 2007
Raising a Reader
- April 30, 2007
- March 2007
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- March 30, 2007
MOO! - March 28, 2007
Getting My Walk On - March 25, 2007
Clowns Can Be Nice! - March 23, 2007
Freezer Burn - March 20, 2007
Shopping for Scary Meat - March 18, 2007
Take A Walk! - March 16, 2007
My Son, The Grown-Up - March 14, 2007
Ayr Out Your Sinuses - March 12, 2007
Let There Be Daylight Savings Time! - March 10, 2007
Tales of the Olden Days - March 7, 2007
Three Balls, Two Hands, One Juggler - March 6, 2007
The Best Game You Can Name - March 1, 2007
Plus Size? Try Igigi.com!
- March 30, 2007
- February 2007
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- February 28, 2007
Try An Old Movie For New Entertainment - February 26, 2007
The Circus Is Coming to Town! - February 25, 2007
Who Am I and What Am I Doing Here?
- February 28, 2007
