Dec 2012 newsletter
- 1. My Personal Story I had a happy childhood until I was twelve. My relation who lived abroad came December 2012 home for a holiday as I was on my summer holidays. It was nice to see him or so I thought. As he was my mum’s only brother she was happy to see him. He Relaxation and Medita- asked my mum if I could go back with him for a holiday she said yes I was so tion: If you haven’t yet excited as it was my first time to go on a plane everything was going well until tried Relaxation and one night I was asleep in bed he got into bed beside me and sexually abused me. Meditation it continues I got such a fright I jumped out of bed and I could smell drink off him so he just on Mondays in Decem- left my room. I was so scared and frightened I couldn’t wait for the morning. ber from 3.45-4.45pm! After breakfast I ran upstairs to my room and packed my case and tried to get to Christmas Day the Airport. I just kept walking and walking until someone saw me and knew If you don't have dinner there was something wrong this person knew my relation so they got in touch plans on Christmas day, with him, he found me as I was walking down the road he stopped the car and I The Order of the Knights could see he was angry I was frightened again so when we got home I told him of the Columbanus invites I wanted to go home so he changed my ticket. I was so happy to get on that to come and have some fun plane even though I was on my own I just felt safe. When I was about sixteen and Christmas dinner. For or seventeen I was in the house on my own as my mum was out, there was a bus details and to book knock on the door and when I opened and saw my relative I just froze I went phone 01 6768135. Keep upstairs to my room and locked my door, everything just came back then. I in touch with Gateway Members over Christmas heard my Mum open the door I was so relieved she was home. I told my sisters by swapping numbers and they were shocked so they suggested I go to a counsellor which I did. Then I meeting up. went to the Rape Crisis Centre that helped me a lot. I got off the bus and looked around to see if people were watching me but when I went in I just relaxed I Did you know? just started talking and burst into tears . I said to the lady looking after me why If the engine isn’t work- now and she just said the time was right and I was brave. My relation is now ing, the car won’t go. dead now and God forgive me I am so glad. I just went home and tore up all the And if you don’t have photos I had of him. So that is my story and if there is anybody out there who suitable friction between has been affected by anything like this it’s never too late to get help .It changed the tyres and the road, my life and when I got busy I got better. Mary the car won’t go. People affected by Mary’s Story can call the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre Indian Head Massage is Freephone 1800 77 88 88 or One in Four in Dublin 01 662 4070 on the last Monday every The Gateway Project works within the Children First Guidelines, if we become Month from 1.45 pm this aware of a child that maybe at risk we are obliged to notify the Child Protectionmonth it is on the 17th of Services. December—come early (from 1.00pm) to get a Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve in South Africa A time of joy for every- space. one, time to spend with families and friends. Except those who work in hospi- tals, because people still get sick on Christmas day. In my house Christmas day Gateway meet ups: begins with cleaning the house and cooking a special meal, a meal that some December the 24th, 27th, families get to eat only twice a year, on a Christmas day and on a New Year’s 29th, 31st. Volunteers day when they visit neighbours, everybody shares what they have. All you can needed, minimum of two hear is children’s loud voices and music around the area and everybody shouts each day. and screams as they would be intoxicated and just enjoying themselves. Then we shower and wear our new clothes that would be bought for us for this spe- Wednesday meet ups are cial day, we consume lots and lots of food, drinks, desserts and sweets, then we still going ahead, check start dancing on the street with our neighbours and other people who will be with Oliver D. every passing by. Fireworks and more fireworks, alcohol and sweets, screaming Monday. and dancing till the wee morning of New Year’s Day for others whilst others continue until their bodies can’t take it anymore. Mary M
- 2. Get to know your member! Andrew D 1.What do you like about being a member in Gateway? Everybody is friendly and positive—I feel stimulated and very safe 2. What did you want to be when you grew up? 11 Wynnfield Road Rathmines An Architect Dublin 6 01 496 5558 3. Where is your favourite place in the world? www.projectgateway.blogspot.com Dublin—the history and architecture of Dublin The views expressed or otherwise stated in 4. Tell us something that nobody knows about you? I’m from a little village this Newsletter are the views of the in North Cork called Cuillinn Bui Chaoinh which is a pre christian settlement. contributors and not necessarily the views of the Gateway Project. Counselling ‘My Gateway Wednesday Meet-ups in Toast Cafe-Bar, Rathmines Mind’ My Mind in After a somewhat slow start a few members are now meeting-up on a Wednesday in Ranelagh are still of- the Toast Cafe-Bar. My name is Oliver and I make sure I am there so people know fering discounted at least one other person will turn up. We meet and talk about whatever we feel like. counselling services. At the last two Meet-ups a nice group of members turned up. There is a nice ambi- Vouchers are still ent atmosphere in Toast. There is a little smoking area out the back so members can available to Gateway enjoy a cigarette if the meet-up is in progress. We usually all drink coffee, which is members. The cost is gorgeous in 'Toast'. 'Toast' has an extensive menu for those who fancy some food. €10 per session for 5 sessions. For more There is a TV which sometimes shows football and excellent music in 'Toast'. information contact Toast Cafe-bar is located beside 'Moda' opposite the swimming pool in Rathmines. Mary Barnes on 01- The Meet-ups take place at One O'Clock at lunchtime on Wednesdays. Oliver D 4965558. Gateway Joke of the month: Staying positive over Christmas does not endorse any Peter: Sir I’m sorry I’m late 1.Don’t stress about presents, recycle particular therapy and Teacher: What was it this time? what you have. respects the choice of Peter: There was an old lady who 2.Give your number to a Gateway member. Gateway members. was looking for her £20 note. 3. Write a gratitude journal. Thanks to ESB Aid Teacher: That was good of you Peter 4. Get enough sleep. fund. helping the old lady to find it. 5. Eat well. Care & Repair: Peter: No Sir I was standing on it 6. Help others. Rathmines Pem- that’s why I couldn’t move. Mary M 7.Visit your neighbours broke Community Partnership, The Tus A Pumpkin Party A lovely festive feeling filled the arts & crafts studio on Thurs- Programme and Age day October the 25th. Tim had bought pumpkins for decorative carving which we Action Ireland are enthusiastically sculpted. It was a cheery sight to see the pumpkins with all their offering a free repair various facial features brightly flickering in the darkened room. Delicious aromas service in Dublin 4, wafted from the kitchen as Mary M sliced two loaves of scrumptious pumpkin 6 & 12 to people 65+ cake which she had kindly baked. The cake had a warm, buttery golden glaze and years of age. If you a light melting texture, and was eagerly devoured. A memorable seasonal after- have a small repair job call 01-4059819 noon. Linda My Experience of W.R.A.P. In 2010, I was a participant on a WRAP course organised through Gateway. W.R.A.P. - “Wellness Recovery Action Plan” is a program for assisting a person to stay well by creating your own, personal approach to healthy living and to help you recover if you get unwell. I compiled my plan over a 2 month period and found the process very helpful. I learnt a lot by chatting with the other par- ticipants and the course co-ordinators. After the course finished, it was decided by some participants to continue to meet up on a monthly basis. When the group get together, we chat about a wide selection of issues such as diet, exercise, health tips, good times and many other subjects. The group decides what needs to be discussed and two years later, we are still going. At the end of each meet up, we finish with a relaxation session. Often, we head to a local café after we finish the meeting. I enjoy these sessions and find them to be a useful support. Richard.