In the process of writing my memoir, I realized how deeply I believe in getting help when you need it. You can see in the acknowledgement section of the book, “L is for Lion” how many people I’ve thanked, each of whom have helped me survive in life, stay alive, healthy, encouraged. Getting help is not always easy, but you gotta try. Here’s a resource list of places to start

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

  1. National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−SAFE (7233)        
  2. EMERGENCY HOTLINE: Safe Horizon 24-Hour Hotline  1-800-621-HOPE. 24 hour domestic violence hotline provides counseling, safety planning services and referrals to domestic violence shelters.
  3. Women Rising – Domestic Violence Services in Jersey City, NJ. 201-333-5700

LGTBQ DISCRIMINATION

  1. The Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, 212-620-7310, http://www.gaycenter.org
  2. Ali Forney Center: Housing for Homeless LGBT youth www.aliforneycenter.org
  3. Harvey Milk High School 

CANCER

  1. Stupid Cancer, http://www.stupidcancer.org, or http://www.imtooyoungforthis.org. empowers young adults affected by cancer
  2. If you are a long-term survivor, dealing with the long-term effects of chemo and radiation, email me and I can help give you more contacts for support. There are specialized support groups for us.
  3. GILDA’S CLUB. www.gildasclubnyc.org 212-647-9700. free and wonderful support for all those affected by cancer and caregivers. God bless comedienne Gilda Radner forever.
  4. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, http://www.mskcc.org. Physician referral line: 1-800-555-2225, or for Pediatric: 212-639-5954. If you need to see a cancer doctor, get an appointment here. The sooner the better.

PTSD

  1. ptsdsurvivordaily.com  — A Blog about Combat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder — written by Mike Piro, my cousin, Iraq war veteran.
  2. PTSD – http://www.ptsdhotline.com or 1-800-273-8255 for emergencies. Help for veterans and civilians who suffer with Post Traumatic Stress Disordear

BOOKS THAT SAVED MY LIFE

  1. “Trauma and Recovery” by Judith Herman
  2. “The Drama of the Gifted Child” by Alice Miller
  3. “Writing as a Way of Healing: How Telling Our Stories Transforms Our Lives” by Louise DeSalvo