First of all, WOW, almost 15,000 views on my website!! All but about 3,000 of those are just from the last couple of weeks! Thank you all so much for taking the time to come to justiceforjennifer.com and read my story and pass it along to others. Also, I'd like to thank everyone that has signed my guestbook and left such wonderful comments! You all encourage and inspire me on a daily basis to keep doing what I'm doing with your kind thoughts and by sharing your stories with me. You're all simply amazing.
Reading through all of the entries on my guestbook, I decided to touch on a few things...
My Fight.
This whole traumatic incident has been a long journey and I've fought my way to get here. I have fought from the very beginning, and never given up. I fought for my life, my voice, my recovery, my sanity, and now, I'm fighting for justice for not only myself, but others. I have said it many times, and I'll say it again, I am here for a reason...which is to USE MY VOICE, and encourage others, and I won't give up, because...
I.Am.F-E-A-R-L-E-S-S.
I feel as though I could take on the World. After what I've been through, and all I've fought for and overcome, why should I be afraid? I will NOT live my life in fear. I am so incredibly blessed to have had a normal childhood and adult life, and I want to be a leader for others. I want to encourage others. How would I be encouraging to others if I was scared to speak out about my story, scared to go in public to run daily errands, or show my face when talking about my story?
Someone wrote an entry on my blog about my cheerfulness on television possibly being a...
Facade?
The definition of facade is: a superficial appearance or illusion of something.
Understand that what happened to me, happened 19 years ago. I have had years to overcome this event in my life, and empower myself with strength to fight back.
I WAS scared, for a couple of years after this happened.
I HAD nightmares.
Every year, I thought that he'd come back for me...and "finish me off."
BUT I REFUSE TO LIVE MY LIFE IN FEAR.
What you see, is what you get.
I am NOT in mourning, why would I be? I have a beautiful, healthy life!
I am NOT sad & grieving, I've got many, many, things to be thankful for.
I am passionate about helping others, because THIS is MY PURPOSE in LIFE.
Over the years, I have tried to transform, to the best of my ability, a negative, traumatic event...into one that is positive, and can encourage and educate others..by speaking out. Growing up, I would hate when I would tell my story to someone, and they'd respond with "I'm so sorry you went through that, I understand." I've never wanted anyone to "feel sorry" for me. You shouldn't. I am alive. I feel so sad for those whose lives have been taken. Those that weren't lucky enough to have children find them while playing. And, saying, "I understand" when you really don't...that does more damage than good. There isn't anyone that ever fully understands until they've been through it. What you CAN do, is join in a person's journey. Fight the fight with them, and be supportive. What has made me who I am, is spending all of these last 19 years of my life talking about my traumatic experience to help in my own healing, and try and encourage others to speak out along with me and keep up The FIGHT, and BE FEARLESS!
Please do not take me for being superficial, because JENNIFER SCHUETT is not superficial, but instead a SURVIVOR.
Justice For All,
Jennifer
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20 comments:
Amen!
God is good, girl, God is SO good! I've seen you off and on through those 19 years, and the years before. You are real, a survivor, thanks to God's amazing love. It's sad that some people can't understand how amazing God, that only through Him can we find joy in every day, regardless of our history. Keep using your voice!
I thank God everyday that there are people like you in the world. You are awesome. Your strength is a source of strength for others. Just being you makes the world a better place. Thank You.
Great news today, Jennifer! Thank you for your example!
Fantastically worded. Kristi
I looked for a way to contact you when the story came out a couple of weeks ago, but this didn't show up until today. You are fantastic, and have to be incredibly strong in order to do what you have done! I am so glad to see that it looks like justice will be done for you, and I hope that others are encouraged to speak up. Our society tends to support women who are well-behaved and quiet *still* but hopefully voices such as yours will teach others to stand up and say I'm not going to let you take my life away from me, literally and figuratively. Best of everything to you -- you are an inspiration!
Wow! You are an inspiration to me, too. Thank you for fighting. -- Lucia from Minnesota
Jennifer,
I watched you on the news this morning... "breaking news" does not seem to do your story justice.
Your press conference speech was anything but a facade. You are brave, strong, beautiful, and empowering.
Thank you for your voice.
Thank you for giving a voice to those who cannot speak.
My prayer is that God will sustain you during the times to come, and that you will continue to find healing while spreading your message of hope and justice.
You got that creep!
And, yay for Dickinson PD!!!
Jennifer, you are amazing. God bless you. I am so happy the $#%@^%@ that did that to you is in custody. Hopefully he will never see the light of day as a free man again. God bless you. Jennifer.
Jennifer.. I read about your story a while back and it touched me deeply. *Your* will and strength touched me deeply. I am on the verge of tears now, as I read about how there has been an arrest in your case. I am so so happy for you. I admire you for not giving up, for keeping up the fight... and as a mama myself, I thank you for helping to keep my own children safe.
May the Lord bless you richly, my dear♥
What an amazing story of courage and what is amazing is that this is the first that I've heard of what happened to you. Unfortunately our media is too engrossed in what sells than what is important. I am shocked and angered that this animal did this to you but also to another person and only served 4 years. People across this nation should be in the streets demanding more time for these violent sexual predators. Sorry so angry in the message, I have a 3 year old daughter and this just is upsetting to me.
An Angry Father
I hit the "button" to post something here, after reading your comments. Now I am speechless. or "type-less" in this case. I just can't seem to find the words.
Fearless. Victorious. You take my breath away. As "stupid" as it sounds...."you go girl!" is all I can put into words. :-)
There will always be people who question your motives and your sincerity. You've been through enough without having to answer them. And if they're so clueless and classless to pose such a question openly to you, then there's probably nothing you can say that will influence their thinking.
Jennifer, I am so happy for you upon reading the news that they have a DNA match. YOU DID IT! All of your fighting and perseverance was worth it. There's no telling yet if he had other victims... and we'll never know if he would have had victims in the future if you hadn't used your voice.
Wishing you absolute peace, joy and justice!
You know girlfriend..good for you!
From one victim to another..
It is a fight for what is right!
and you did it! you got him!
The message is out there, little girls can tell, it's ok to tell...both then and now. We can fight back and help each other learn "just from your story".Your voice counts so much..this blog was a great idea to get your word out and it worked. I wish I could give you a hug....I went after my sexual predator 50 years after the crime..I was about 7 to 9 years old,the crime lasted 3 years....but 50 year later he had to answer for that crime in a court of law and I won my case.I got justice, they said I could never get it, but I did. What happened to you was way off the charts...but your are alive and fighting, God has blessed you..and you are gifted, for the message you are sending out there..is that perseverance you had for justice was worth it.
I am very proud of you and what you did with your life!
Jennifer, I just heard about the arrest. You are victorious!
Jennifer, congratulations on your victory! I'm a prosecutor who specializes in sexual assault cases and crimes against kids. All victims deserve justice, but you are truely exceptional. I've never seen anyone like you, who from 8 years old, could survive and THRIVE the way you did. Never doubt that your example and your relentless effort to bring your assailant to justice has helped other little girls (and boys).
Congratulations Jennifer!! You certainly are VICTORIOUS!!! You are truly inspiring! You are an incredibly strong and couragous woman... I am so happy to hear of the arrest! GOD BLESS!!
Heather - Long Island, NY
Wow! You are such an inspiration! Your voice has been heard! And now on to the courtroom!
I grew up just streets away from where you were found. I read about your case on CNN a few weeks ago and instantly remembered your case because it was so horrifying and so close to home. How you have persevered! Kudos to you, your support system and everyone involved!
Jennifer, I'm not sure what to say or where to start...
I got a call from my mother today (she knows I rarely have time to read the paper or watch the news).
On the front page was an article that caught her eye. But what drew her attention was the address listed in the article. She asked me if I knew a Dennis Bradford, that he lived on a street I used to live on. (I thankfully moved 2 years ago.) I couldn't put a face to the name or make the connection, but then it clicked. I could not believe it as the realization of who this man was - how close he had been to my family - what a horrific ordeal you had been through... and I knew the man who did it... I don't know you - never knew you existed until today... God Bless Your Soul Dahlin!
I am speechless today as I realize that this man that you have been looking for for 19 years lived across the street from me for the 3 years I lived there. I have two daughters who when we lived there, were about your age of when you were attacked.
I cannot - simply cannot fathom what you have been through dear. I also find it so unjust that all this time you were searching... he was right there - every day - for three years across the street. I'm sure there is some eloquent word to describe the feeling a mother has after she realizes her babies were sleeping within feet of a monster, but I am again, speechless to find that word.
Jennifer, dear... I am so happy for you today as justice has prevailed. You are a shining example of VICTORY! My heart extends to you from N.L.R., AR. "I am not a victim, but victorious" sends chills down my spine. I am in awe at the way God has used such an unspeakable act of violence for his glory - the way you have made you life mission to help others.
You are one to be humbly admired... Congratulations dear on finding your attacker.
You have reached further than just Dickinson TX. Continue to light the way for our next generation of little feet following behind you!
Thank you for putting into words what I could only wish to describe myself. Thank you for being a role model to me and all the other survivors out there to stand up, be proud, be fearless! And congratulations on your victory on his arrest! Thank God for technology and resilience.
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