The New Year is full of hope, happiness, and wellness for us all…if we’re willing to grab a hold of it. And I’m starting 2016 with that in mind. I will tell you what I’m doing and my great hope is it will inspire you to do awesome and healthy things in your life too.
Some of you might know that I suffered a severe trauma in my life and was diagnosed with PTSD. I was sexually assaulted. There were three people that were involved that entered my home one night when I was asleep and sick. It nearly cost me my life. The PTSD became severe over this last year and I tried to take my life on May 30, 2015 because of the repeated nightmares.
I’m taking back my life in a super fun way now.
On November 12th of this past year I started a new chapter with my time on this earth. I decided I wanted a big, ambitious goal and I wanted to get out of my home and meet a lot of new people. My doctors had been encouraging me to get out and start engaging with people in the world again so that I would not continue to perseverate on the trauma I experienced.
For my big, ambitious goal I made the decision that I wanted to get on to The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as a guest. And tell my story but much more importantly let everyone know that there is indeed hope and happiness on the other side of PTSD. I love this show and thought this will be a great way to have fun too and give me a goal and something to look forward to each day.
I also made the decision that I would go out all over the Phoenix, Arizona area each day and ask people to sign words of support on giant petition boards (foam poster boards that are 30 inches by 40 inches). These will help me get the attention of The Late Show in New York and demonstrate all the people that want me on the show. This satisfied my second objective of getting out and meeting a lot of new people.
As of January 7th I have met 3,600 new people that I’ve approached that have signed in nine cities and three states in 57 days. (I took my journey back to the Chicago area for Christmas to visit family and friends). I have taken 716 pictures with many of these people I’ve met and I post them on Instagram.
People have signed their words of support in 26 languages on 47 of my giant petition boards. They have also put artwork, poetry, and inspiring stories on these boards and have used a variety of 12 Sharpie markers that I have given them. It’s become a truly happy and amazing project.
I have a Facebook page called Blake Late Show and an Instagram account that is @Blake Late Show. You can also view my short video on YouTube called Blake Late Show that introduces my idea to everyone.
I’ve encouraged my family and friends to send emails to The Late Show in support of getting me on as guest to tell my story. The email is guestpitchlateshow@cbs.com.
You can help me get on the show by sending an email and simply telling them to get Blake on The Late Show. I want to tell my story of recovery, hope, and great fun while bringing awareness to PTSD.
My New Year’s resolution is just to have fun and keep going until I get on The Late Show. I sure hope this helps so many of you that have also experienced a trauma in your life. Never, never, never give up.
This wellness article is brought to you by that guy with dreams of New York City. That Big Apple guy is Blake and he can be found watching The Late Show at rblake5551@hotmail.com.
