Gabrielle Union-Wade took a moment out of her Met Gala appearance and used it to pen down a powerful note on Instagram, about PTSD, anxiety, and the agony of it all.
A teen rape survivor, the actress has opened up about her experience many times, and takes every opportunity to point out the “light at the end of the tunnel.” Needless to say, her fans are bowled over by her words, and the emotions behind them.
Gabrielle Union-Wade Has Embraced Being A Sexual Assault Survivor
Union wrote a book of essays in 2017, titled “We’re Going to Need More Wine: Stories That Are Funny, Complicated, and True” where she openly wrote about being raped at gunpoint at 19 after a robbery at the Payless shoe store where she was working at.
She has since then talked about accepting and embracing her identity as a sexual assault survivor. She told E! News in 2017, “I have to keep talking out because people feel like they’re the only ones. They feel like are on an island by themselves; they feel like they are screaming into a hurricane and nobody is listening and I am just trying to say, ‘I’m listening. I hear you. I’ve been there, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.'”
She also said, “Every time I talk about being raped, someone will come up to me in a bathroom or an amusement park and say, ‘Me too.’ In that instant, I am completely connected. I know everything and nothing all at once. What we are able to share is a sense of community of survivors and we are just doing our best, but that we put one foot in front of the other. There’s light at the end of the tunnel and that’s the importance of sharing the stories when you’re ready.”
Using A Met Gala Snippet To Make A Point
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On Tuesday, the 49-year-old stunner posted a clip of herself with husband Dwayne Wade being photographed on the red carpet of the 2022 Met Gala. The clip was shot from behind Gabrielle, and she scribbled on the video, pointing to herself with an arrow as “Me”. When Wade walked in around her, she labeled it “my anxiety” and labeled someone helping her with her dress as “my triggers”.
The caption read, “As a rape survivor, I have battled PTSD for 30 years. Living with anxiety and panic attacks all these years has never been easy.”
Union then wrote about her anxieties have nearly shrunk her life, “There are times the anxiety is so bad it shrinks my life. Leaving the house or making a left-hand turn at an uncontrolled light can fill me with terror. Anxiety can turn my anticipation about a party or fun event I’ve been excited about attending (Met Ball) into pure agony.”
Gabrielle Union-Wade Wants People To Know They Are Not Alone
She continued writing, “When we tell y’all what we are experiencing, please believe us the 1st time we mention it. No, it’s not like being nervous and everyone experiences and deals with anxiety differently, and that’s OK. I don’t need you to try to “fix” me. I share this as I hope everyone living with anxiety knows they aren’t alone or “being extra.” I see you, I FEEL you and there is so much love for you. Always. Love and light good people. Be good to each other out there 🖤”
The note moved many, including celebrities.
Wrote Octavia Spencer, “Thanks for this!!!” while Alyssa Milano dropped a “Love you.” La La Anthony wrote, “Thank you for this. Love you so much ❤️”
Fans also wrote their appreciation…
Wrote one, “As a Rape survivor\decorated martial artist I teach women to defend themselves. This has been a source of healing doing this. I TOTALLY FEEL YOU!”
Another commented, ” I have been dealing with debilitating anxiety over the last year – especially since my dad died last June. I didn’t realize it would creep out of nowhere, attack me in public, and also leave me physically immobile. I watch everyone else moving forward in life and I feel stuck so often. I am so inspired by you @gabunion , always 🥺🤎🙏🏽 Thank you for sharing – all our love to you and the fam.”
All we can say is one word. Respect!
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