I am so pleased to share with you and to support Kari Kelley's amazing story brought to life on stage this month. I believe that our healing journey's are comprised of so many different experiences, self-expression and art being one of the most beautiful. If you are in the Bay Area, I strongly encourage you to be there to witness this woman -- I know I will be!!
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ONE WOMAN SHOW HIGHLIGHTS WOMAN’S HEALING FROM CHILD ABUSE
Kari Kelley Shares Story of Foster Care Abuse, Survival in ‘Somebody Else’s Child’
Given up for adoption at birth, a toddler lost most of her eyesight when she was shaken by her first adoptive mother, who did not take her to a doctor for a week and a half afterward. As a result, the child was placed back in foster care until age four, when she was adopted for a second time. In the new home, she experienced physical, emotional and sexual abuse at the hands of those charged with her care and protection, as well as other family members.
That child grew into a woman and, as a way to work through her own pain, depression, and anger, Kari Kelley decided to share her story with others. A year after publishing her memoir “Black, Blind and Female,” Kelley is taking to the stage to share her story of survival in the one woman show “Somebody Else’s Child,” to be performed at Sunnyvale Performing Arts Theatre (550 East Remington Drive), Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Kelley was born into a world that tried to stripped away her humanity. Years of abuse left her legally blind, abused and spiritually crushed. Nevertheless, a desire to be greater than her circumstances burned deep within her.
“Somebody Else’s Child” brings the audience through Kelley’s very personal journey through her childhood and into her adulthood. She portrays many key characters from her life, from her pregnant mother contemplating giving up her child for adoption to the adoptive mother whose violence led to the loss of Kelley’s eyesight at fourteen months old. She also takes on the voice of the many emotions she experienced throughout her life, from anger to depression and ultimately peace.
“I invite you to join me on the journey that my soul has chosen for this life experience,” Kelley said. “This journey has not been easy but it has provided deep, profound transformation for me. This journey has made me the Gifted Messenger that I am today. As I share my message with you, I believe that your life as well as many other lives can be transformed.”
Kelley’s wish for her audiences is that they will be emboldened to express themselves if they are survivors of child abuse and that they will stand up to end the abuse of children today if they happen to find themselves as onlookers.
“I’m sending out a message that you can’t depend solely on bureaucracy to put a stop to child abuse,” she said. “I’m a product of broken, failed and overburdened bureaucracy. I was adopted not once but twice by two different abusive families…you have to protect the children if you want a healthy society for tomorrow.”
Tickets for “SomebodyElse’s Child” are available online and at the door. An early ticket price of $35 ends April 15. Following April 15, tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the door. Seating is limited. The performance is for adults only.
About Kari Kelley
Kari Kelley is a motivational speaker who inspires others to be fabulous, regardless of their circumstances. She hopes to empower others to stop the vicious cycle of abuse and downward spiraling sense of self-worth that comes with it. She believes that every person she touches with her message can be a new creation of hopes and dreams waiting to be unleashed. Each of those people will in turn contribute their light and promise to the world to touch the lives of many for generations to come.
Kelley’s book Black, Blind, and Female: Inspiration to Overcome Obstacles was released in the spring of 2013 and is available in ebook and paperback formats at http://www.authorhouse.com.
Learn more about Kelley’s background at http://www.loveislimitless.com/index.html.
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