Loyal, Brave, and True
Interview with Canvas Rebel Magazine Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danielle Leukam. We think you’ll enjoy...
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- Dec 22, 2023
- 1 min
My Favorite Memories of 2023
Season’s Greetings. 2023 is almost over, and I can’t believe it. Where did the time go? 2023 has blessed our family with so many miracles...
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- Feb 10, 2023
- 3 min
If only it were this easy...
Follow the rules. Dress like a lady. Don’t wear that. You should look like this. Boys won't like that. Girls won’t like that. Who are you...
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- Dec 8, 2022
- 4 min
Being a Memoir Author
The writing below was featured in the Olmsted County Adult and Family Services newsletter. November 2023 was Memoir Author month. It was...
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- Nov 27, 2022
- 3 min
Two Years
Inspired by the book, “642 Things to Write About.” Please note, this is a fictional story. He stood in my front doorway with longer sandy...
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- Nov 15, 2022
- 5 min
What if you fly?
An interview from Spring of 2022... Please tell us about what brings you joy and fulfillment (your work, your passions, your dreams,...
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- Nov 2, 2022
- 8 min
Break the Cycle
I’m finishing two books right now: an anthology with 12 sexual assault survivor stories and a sequel memoir. In brainstorming ideas for...
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- Sep 18, 2022
- 5 min
FAQ: How is my son doing after "That Morning?"
One of the most frequently asked questions I get at speaking events is, “How is your son doing?” My response is usually, “He seems to be...
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- Jul 17, 2022
- 3 min
Solitary Confinement
After lightly blowing off the layer of accumulated dust that coated my writing prompt journal, I flipped through the crisp, mostly empty...
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- May 6, 2022
- 7 min
What is Strength?
I went to The Boutique Station’s 2-year anniversary in Peterson, Minnesota last weekend with my son. We had a great time, and he was such...
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- Apr 2, 2022
- 5 min
WISH: We Inspire Survivor Healing Inc
I was sixteen years old working two jobs, getting there with the car my dad could no longer drive because of his illness (Langerhans...
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- Jan 5, 2022
- 3 min
"100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition" Book Review
100 Deadly Skills: Survival Edition by Clint Emerson While the front of the book says, “The SEAL Operative’s Guide to Surviving in the...
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- Dec 6, 2021
- 3 min
"The President's Daughter" Book Review
Have you considered reading the book called The President’s Daughter written by former President of the United States Bill Clinton and...
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- Dec 1, 2021
- 2 min
Submissive
In a recent episode of We Are HER, Boom tells her story of being raped by her boss. At the end of the episode, she talks about how she...
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- Nov 18, 2021
- 3 min
Realize, I Am the Storm
Sponsored by: The Boutique Station and Stanger Construction. (This is the poem I read at the Author Talk at the St. Charles Public...
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- Oct 24, 2021
- 4 min
Christmas is Coming?
This time last year, I’d been listening to Christmas music easily since September. Hell, I’ve started Christmas music in July in past...
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- Oct 14, 2021
- 3 min
Last October
What happens when a person journals? Well, lots of things. But all I can really tell you is what happens to me… Particularly, what...
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- Sep 20, 2021
- 6 min
A Safe Space
The washcloth wiped away the dirt that was caked on her cheeks. Once her face was clean, I noticed her arms were covered in dirt too....
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- Aug 28, 2021
- 6 min
An Inconvenience...
Dear Diary… I’m going to start with… this is going to be a disaster of a diary entry. My mind, my heart, and my thoughts are all over the...
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- Jul 15, 2021
- 6 min
...You Give Her Epilepsy
The last two years and eight months has tested my ability of being able to accept help. Even after being assaulted, having to hide and...
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- Jun 13, 2021
- 3 min
The Laundry Basket
He found the two guns I had in my closet. At that point, he had three guns and I had nothing. After tormenting me, threatening to kill me...
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- May 10, 2021
- 2 min
Treated Differently
I don’t want to be treated differently. This is one of the many reasons survivors don’t report or talk about having been raped or...
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- Apr 30, 2021
- 2 min
Rochester Supports Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Silence surrounding sexual violence continues to decline, while support and awareness continues to grow, improving justice for survivors....
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- Apr 26, 2021
- 2 min
The Life I Dreamt Of.
Wasn’t it our dream as a child to finish school, get a job, find a significant other, have kids if we want, have a family if we want, go...
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- Apr 9, 2021
- 1 min
My Universe
When one small child gives you will to live, will to survive, and will to thrive, you can bet they'll be inspiration for random thoughts...
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- Mar 27, 2021
- 2 min
Paralyzed
“…and before I knew it, I woke up and he was having sex with me,” she admits. I could tell the next thing she wanted to say was hard for...
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- Mar 23, 2021
- 3 min
What Are You Listening To?
One foot in front of the other – I walk in slow motion as the world hovers around me, disconnected. Only a few more steps and I’ll be...
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- Mar 20, 2021
- 5 min
What Have I Been Up to?!
Recap: My world almost ended, but it didn’t. I thought I died inside, but I didn’t. I thought I was worthless, but I wasn’t. I felt...
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- Mar 8, 2021
- 4 min
What if?
There are so many “what if…” questions a survivor contemplates after being raped. For me, What if I had checked the locks on my windows?...
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- Feb 25, 2021
- 3 min
If it were only this easy...
Follow the rules. Dress this way. Don’t wear that. You should look like this. Boys wont like that. Girls won’t like that. Who are you...
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- Feb 20, 2021
- 3 min
Admission of Guilt
As a survivor, I dreaded the thought of a plea deal. I got so angry when it was brought up. I was so focused on it not being fair and I...
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- Feb 15, 2021
- 2 min
Meeting with his (now) ex-wife...
I met with Zane’s beautiful (now) ex-wife Saturday... We cried, we hugged, and I heard what she had to say. One thing in particular...
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- Feb 15, 2021
- 3 min
Life After Sentencing
The sentencing hearing for Zane Pederson was last Wednesday, 2/10/21. He was sentenced to 250 months in prison because of the crimes he...
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- Feb 10, 2021
- 8 min
Victim Impact Statement
On the night of November 17th, 2018, I sat down on the couch after cleaning up remnants of the day and curled up with a glass of Pinot...
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- Jan 29, 2021
- 5 min
Sentencing in Person: February 10th, 2021
2:25 am. January 29th, 2021. After hours of being wide awake… it’s time to get up and write. I slept from 11 pm – 12:30 am… If I’m not...
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- Jan 16, 2021
- 3 min
1989
I sit here tonight, less than one month until the man that raped me (Zane Pederson) is sentenced to 250 months in prison, transcribing...
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- Jan 11, 2021
- 2 min
Lioness & Her Cub
I was walking through the field passing cattails and sunflowers when I saw her. She was only 10 yards away as she slowly put one paw in...
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- Jan 9, 2021
- 1 min
Green Lake - Following Omens
The water was sheen, pulling her closer as each gentle wave wet the rocks surrounding the dock. Her feet were gliding over the earth,...
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- Jan 7, 2021
- 2 min
A Letter from Jake
I wanted to share a sneak peek with you all... The letter below is a letter written to me from my best friend, Jake. The "sneak peek" of...
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- Dec 19, 2020
- 3 min
I Didn't Tell You
I don’t want you to feel bad for me. We (survivors) don’t necessarily want sympathy; we want allies. We want acknowledgement and maybe a...
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- Dec 6, 2020
- 2 min
Breaking Down a Meme.
I came across this meme on social media this morning on Instagram; I follow #metoo posts. How great is this that we are acknowledging the...
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- Dec 4, 2020
- 5 min
Escapism
How can a person get so excited about a simple word? Here, let me show you. Take a ride with me and my ridiculousness (or, my love for...
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- Nov 23, 2020
- 6 min
"Hurt People Hurt People"
It took me a while to actually post this blog. I didn’t want to admit these feelings to myself, much less the public. But here we are…...
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- Oct 30, 2020
- 3 min
Stress Induced Anorexia
July 2020. 19 months since the rapes. I couldn’t get out of bed. I called in sick to work. I was crying hysterically making that phone...
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- Oct 20, 2020
- 2 min
Realize; Self-Worth
Rest upon that star; you are beautiful, so beautiful... Shine amongst the moon and soon realize you are brighter than that star... And...
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- Oct 13, 2020
- 3 min
Near Miss / Remote Miss
I recently read David and Goliath by Malcolm Gladwell. While reading the book, I had a few “Wow,” moments. …In which I actually said,...
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- Oct 11, 2020
- 2 min
I Want to be Okay.
I want to be okay. I am more often now. But then I try to do things solo, Like attend court, And I fall apart, Finding myself alone to...
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- Oct 6, 2020
- 2 min
The Negotiator
If you could have one talent that you do not naturally have, what would that be? I would love to be a talented negotiator. (There was...
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- Sep 27, 2020
- 3 min
What Was My Dream Job?
Childhood: For one of my birthdays when I was young, I asked my mom for a briefcase. There was another time when I helped to deep-clean...
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- Sep 19, 2020
- 1 min
She is the Lioness
Her head is down, Walking through the hallway. Don’t notice her, As she ties her shoe. She wishes she was invisible, In a crowd full of...
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