In the year before the #MeToo movement came to the forefront, I was invited to join other women survivors of sexual assault in a project called "I Believe You". The touring exhibit featured survivors' original artwork depicting the way in which we worked through the trauma of abuse. I had already been working on my own series of self-portraits, entitled, "Window Pain" and was honored to include my series in the I Believe You exhibition.

The healing journey from assault can be a longtime road. In my case, I recognize it as an opportunity to embrace my courage and resilience and to celebrate my body and all she has endured.

And so I dance. I prance by a waterfall. I pirouette in an abandoned castle. I play dress-up in the snow. I shed my clothes in the desert and lie down under the harsh cactus. On a tropical island, I brazenly turn my face toward the wind as a hurricane approaches. I defy this pain. I welcome my strength.

Yet I remain bound, tangled. This is my life - a maelstrom of pain and joy. And still, there is laughter, joy, passion, love, curiosity and adventure. My spirit is stronger than anything in this world. My body is a miracle.