Jenny

After the incident at work, I cry myself to sleep each night before bed for two weeks. Sometimes I'm so filled with fear and anxiety that Uncle Artair and Aunt Ciara have to come in and hold me until I calm down. They sit with me and keep me company. We watch comedy movies or play dominoes together. Anything to keep my mind off of it.

One night, when we're having a girl's night, and doing facials on each other, Aunt Ciara brings up what happened. I start to feel anxious at the mention of the topic, but Aunt Ciara is gentle.

"Listen, Jenny," she says. "I was thinking. Down at my gym we have a great self-defense instructor. You should come down and meet him. Take a few classes. What do you say?"

"Classes?"

"Yeah, just to try it out, Jenny. See how it goes. It might help you feel like you have more control over the situation. You know? If you learn some ways to defend yourself, you might feel a little better. I know it can't erase what happened...but maybe. You know, maybe it'll make you feel a little more prepared in the future. I talked to her, and Kim said she'd even sign up and take classes with you."

I'm quiet as I think about what Aunt Ciara is offering. I know she's right. I'm just so scared still, though. It hasn't been that long. I felt so helpless that night. If Griffin hadn't come by when he did...I can't even think about it without getting upset.

Maybe Aunt Ciara is right. Maybe it will help. I'm not sure, but I want to try. And, I remember a time before my accident when Walker tried to talk me into taking Jui Jitsu. Maybe I should do it. Although, I'll have to be careful to avoid any contact to my head. I don't want to make my Aphasia worse with another head injury. Maybe they can modify my lessons a little bit so it will be safe enough. Anything is better than worrying about being a helpless victim again.

"O...Ok. Try class, Aunt Ciara. You class, Ciara?"

"Will I come to class with you?" she asks, clarifying my question.

"Yes."

"I will, Jenny. I'll come with you. We'll go together, all three of us."

I'm a little nervous about the class but with Aunt Ciara and Kim by my side, I feel like I can at least try. Aunt Ciara explains to the instructor about my Aphasia before we arrive to the first class. Everyone knows ahead of time that I won't be speaking much. I do my best that first class.

Before I know it, the class ends and I feel myself smile like I haven't since before the mugging occurred. I promise to return the next week. I feel a little of the anxiety I've been carrying around inside of me ease up a bit.

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As an example of techniques that women can learn in self-defense classes, please see this video from YouTube:

Final Round Training. (2011). Women's Self Defense: Level 1 - Rape Escape. YouTube Website: https://youtu.be/6D8r-wH0dkk.

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