GAZELLE MAGAZINE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH EDITION | Page 83

WELLNESS & WELL-BEING
DELISA RICHARDSON, 48
Actress and
Wellness Coach
M
y abuse occurred at an
early age. I still block some
of it, but I can say it was
from age 11 until about
13, and the abuse was
by a sibling. Going through this type of abuse
made me feel unsafe in every environment. My
home was not safe. During my teen years and
into early adulthood, other instances of sexual
violation reinforced that feeling.
It left me in a constant state of hypervigilance
and fear, while at the same time, I stuffed
and suppressed the pain due to shame and
embarrassment. I kept a wall up, never letting
anyone get close enough to truly know me for
fear that they would shun me if I told them
what had happened.
I had to be in control of everything around
me in order to function. I had to be in control
of my physical body in the form of excessive
workouts, eating disorders and sexual
dysfunction. Lack of trust in others led me to
be controlling in my friendships. Eventually,
I started having panic attacks that left me
debilitated. It took years of therapy to garner
the strength to speak out about my abuse, first
to those closer to me, and then to other young
women. I decided to use my experience to lift
others up and show that they can survive, and
even thrive, after abuse.
SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY
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