Solo Travel for Social Justice: in real time.

Sunday, May 3rd

9:47pm “Fair access to food, water, housing, education…” was my answer when Melanie asked me on Twitter, “what is social justice?”. A better response would have been: the protection of those with less power.  This definition describes Melanie’s motivation to take her first ever solo journey despite a history of panic attacks when driving alone.

Melanie and her children are survivors of sexual abuse. Because of her commitment to protect them, and all children, Melanie planned a trip to Georgia to take a one day session given by Childhelp. There she would be CERTIFIED/Trained to educate children, teachers and families concerning body safety and bullying. This is a violence prevention curriculum for pre-kindergarten through grade 6 that she will take into classrooms. At the last minute, however, the friend who was to join her couldn’t and she had to make the trip solo or not at all.

In Melanie’s mind, not at all was not an option.

Just before setting out on the 7 hour drive which she wisely decided to split into two days, Melanie gave me a call. It was Sunday evening and I had given her my number on a Twitter direct message because her concern and commitment seemed so great. She was excited and anxious all at once. We agreed that she would send text messages via her cell phone to keep me posted on her progress.

(The typos and short forms in the text quotes below have been left in because they are normal in text messaging. I really want readers to have a sense of the extraordinary effort that Melanie put forth. There will be a follow-up post that covers the story in a more traditional format.)

Monday, May 4th,

I just received my first texts:

Melanie, 1:37am. Ok i mde it finally the wffle house on the north side of nashville lol never thought be in this waffle hous. always thought about it though  many updates.

Melanie: will come in morning im just so tired and hungry rt now  btw my room at the hotel smells horrible i think i will sleep with door open

Me: Congrats 4 gr8 progress but be careful lock door unless ur sure of safety.

Melanie: Lmbo i asked for pancakes at the waffle house servers response was your at the waffle house hun the name says it all lol

Melanie: I think i mght just like eating solo i can actually write with a pen hassle free yes

Melanie: Bbl i want soak in the food that was fast service

Melanie: Ty the door will be bolted ty for supportig my efforts to trael solo so far not panic attks just anxiety a few times the rain is pain for me to drive

Me: Good 4 u. night

One more day of driving to get to Georgia but Melanie has more than just solo travel to deal with.

Melanie, 8:34am: Ok i dont thin i can showr or sleep what do i do im tired but my head is spinngin been writing plz tell me what to do

Melanie: I actually figurd ot how to tiwitter from phone bcause thought u would sleeping

Me: C u on twitter dm

Melanie: Ok i came outside to make the decsion willl i sleep more try to or get ready to head into the hills of tn my eyes are heavy my head isbusy lol is this anxiety or just excitement that i am solo

Me: Ok safety first r u 2 tired 2 drive

Melanie: i feel like i wanna stay in my car sorry though i would do better than i am

At this point we spoke by phone.  Melanie was tired as she hadn’t slept well at all in the night. The room smelled and was noisy. She wanted a shower but didn’t want to go back in the room. In the end, she did decide to shower and leave town. Then the text messages came fast and furious as Melanie dealt with the issues back home.

Melanie,9:07am:  Ok my mom just called to tell me she will be in court tomorrow to try and get my nephew placed somewhere residentially for treatment of his abuse and abuse of others prayers

Melanie: please i am torn he has needed this treatment for 6 years imp not there si i completely depndant on her togt his med records to the judg

Melanie: anxiety is kicking in i am used to being the support system for this cause i thank her for taking my place i have trust issues obviously i just need to remind myself i have solo travel to get me through to my destination…

Melanie: that will help all families and school systems well those willing to better understand sexual abuse/bullying and its effects on our communities

Me: u  choose yr path u r wise trust yrself look at all u have already achieved

Again we spoke on the phone. This was a critical point in her family’s life as her nephew had been abused and was repeating the cycle. She did trust her Mom and all worked out well in the end.

Melanie, 1:16pm: Hey i’m on top of look out mtn 7 its so peaceful pulled my shades out even

Me: it sounds like ur actually enjoying yrself.

Melanie: Thinking about taking the train down but dont think i wil at this time lol it goes stat down yikes

Melanie: Yes decided im gonna do it pray for me lol it takes 40 minutes to go down and back up will let u know how i do lol

Me: Go 4 it.Melanie: Now loading heeeee

Melanie: A new acquaintance from scotland he says tn is much likescotland love is accent obviously i made it down hehe real slo

Me: ur amazing!

Melanie, 2:00pm: At bistro this couch is amazing just thought “this would be a great place 2 nap

Me: That’s gr8! Have a nice snooze.

Melanie: Dolma great grape stuffed leafe new things italian soda yummy

Melanie: Nonap just got bak up the mtn headed to ga 83 miles to go will find holiday inn there

Me: Fantastic!

Melanie, 2:56pm:  This is going very well no anxiety meds thus far yea

Melanie: Tty when i get to ga

Melanie, 4:37pm:  i just got here looking for room

Melanie, 5:19pm: Yes I am more than ready to be in comfy clean msoke free marriot

Me: Gr8 now u can relax

Me, 9:57pm: I hope u have a good night’s sleep.

Tuesday, May 5th

Me, 8:55am: How r u doing?

Melanie: Rdy to learn verry very excited happlily shakking lol go child help usa i willl kp u posted. thank you

Melanie, 3:59pm: Leaving break going great ttys melanie

Melanie had intended to leave that night to return to Indiana but she enjoyed the hotel and meeting people so much that she stayed, had a swim, ate at a Red Lobster and watched a bit of television.

Wednesday, May 6th

Melanie, 715am: Ok i just chked out weather for my trip home there is possible tornatic activity all the way up to KY do i leave or wait it out here

Me: wow i’m not the one 2 give advice on this do what u feel safe doing

Melanie, 10:01am: Lol i made a run for it htere is a brk in storms if i were at home id be out storm watchin butttt i heard these storms down here u dont mess with

Me: Do you know what to do if weather gets bad?

Melanie: Yes lol trained weather spotter here helga and i are fine helga my buddy (GPS) she has a name

Me: Yet again. Ur amazing.

Melanie, 11:16am: Reststop smells like giant toilet. Guess that the purpose lol

Melanie, 12:13pm:  Just passed dump truck haulin care never seen that b4

Melanie, 1:16:  Tg for cell phones hehe

Me: Yup. thru their magic youre not alone.

Melanie: No, I Helga and the cell

Melanie: Just talked to my state rep about the signing of victims rts bill ok have to pay attn to road bbl.

Melanie, 2:22pm: Surprise im in nashville ging to cooters and opry hotel yeah no time restraints i hv till midnite to get home

Me: wish i was there.

Melanie: I btr chang clothes i might just see a STAR lol got ta look my best hehe

Me: i sent email to child help usa  waiting for their reply

Melanie: im at what the bartender calls a honky tonk lol met a four yr old guitar singer this is awesome ia m so so happy the music playing is relaly fun also i played catch wtih jett his ball just went behnd the bar he snuck and got it

Melanie: Love will always lead us to where we belong, i am savoring this moment, truly i am

Melanie, 3:15pm: 142 mls to go just left my new friends. jett n maria

Me: that’s not bad, 3 hrs and yr home.

Melanie, 3:47pm: Sunshing yes nothing like shades over my eyes 102 mls to go

Me: yeah

Melanie: 4:15pm: The pennyrile pkwy is wide open very few vehicles its like just me the road windows down celtic music and positive thoughts in my cap shall i say under my thinking cap

Melanie, 5:29pm: Welcome home Mealnie to pouring rain,minus the mountains, plus the flatland… this solo traveler is ending her trip yet beginning her mission.

Me: U r home congratulations! ur no now an official solo traveler

Childhelp
CEO and Co-Founder Sara O’Meara and President and Co-Founder Yvonne Fedderson started Childhelp® in 1959, establishing it as a leading national non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect and at-risk children. Childhelp’s approach focuses on advocacy, prevention, treatment and community outreach.

The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD®, operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam. Childhelp’s programs and services also include residential treatment services; children’s advocacy centers; therapeutic foster care; group homes and child abuse prevention, education and training.

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