A Shelter in The Time Of Storm

I hear these words and in my mind I hear the hymn we used to sing in church. It also reminds me of The Family Center that has helped give me a voice. And I am reminded that I am never ever alone. Jesus is my Shelter in the Time of Storm. He has been […]

Joyful Heart Foundation Revolution Gala

Tonight is the Joyful Heart Foundation JoyfulRevolution Gala and even though I cannot be there in person, my heart is full of joy. This foundation and Mariska Hargitay helped give me the strength to speak up, tell my story and be heard. Although I would still love to meet her and tell her this in […]

MHAM: Katie’s Story

I was introduced to the horrifying world of depression, anxiety, and the constant need to self harm at the age of 14. I just turned 28. I have come so far and I am able to work part time again. But, what a lot of people don’t realize is that most of the time, the little bit I’m out living a “normal” life, it can take all the strength I can muster and when I go home, all I want to do is be at home away from the world and work on my self care so I can go out and do it again.

Questions and Answers About Sexual Assault

  I’m kicking off Sexual Assault Awareness Month a couple days earlier. I’m going to be answering some of the questions I was asked to prepare me for my radio interview last week.  Not everyone was able to listen to the interview so I thought I would post these here. -Katie Butterfly 1. How long ago […]

Radio and Empowerment

Yesterday I took a huge step in my recovery process and now I really feel like my butterfly wings are growing more and more and sprouting new colors. What an amazing experience. Today I went on local radio and talked verbally about my sexual assault for the first time. What an empowering experience. If you […]

Taking Back My Life Never Felt So Good

The 7 Year Anniversary of my rape is quickly approaching. The past 3 years, since remembering what happened to me, I have spent trying to come to terms with it, and take back my life. This month will be the most important step of them all. A big step, I never saw myself taking. I […]

Victim, Survivor, Thriver – My Letter From Susie McEntire

Last year  I sent an e-mail to Susie McEntire (Yes, Reba’s sister) telling her my story, and she responded. At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to share it as it’s very personal, but then I thought it could help others too. Her words are in bold. Katie, thank you for sharing your blog. See comments below:  […]

Love Letter to Myself

Dear Katie Butterfly, You are such an incredibly person. So kind and brave. You have been through a lot but you haven’t let that stop you from fighting and keep moving forward. 10 years ago you were barely surviving high school. You were depressed and suicidal all the time. But some how you still decided […]

Speak Out: Jenn’s Story

“The youngest memory I have of my life is when my Grandmother and her husband was getting a divorce and he came after her with a shovel threatening to kill her, I was three years old. At such a young age, I kind of had an idea how some men were; my biological father seem […]