I Believe We Can Make A Difference

Valerie Eznik - Boston, MA

My name is Valerie Eznik, I live in Boston, Massachusetts and I am starting my own business selling children's apparel.

I feel it is important to get this positive message out to the world because though this epidemic is of monumental proportions in this country it is a global problem that has stigmatized victims causing them to feel permanently branded with shame, guilt, blame, etc. Though they didn't choose to become victimized, victims or "survivors" can choose to be bitter or better. Being the victim of a crime is not something someone chooses. Being a survivor is. Despite having had difficult experiences, they can still "Reach for the Stars" to become whatever it is they want to be. No one should be made to feel less than someone else due to another person's careless and reckless actions.

I have decided to ride my bicycle from Chicago to New York to use my actions to speak for those who cannot due to age, fear, intimidation, etc. If I do not act when presented with a call to action, I am agreeing by simply doing nothing. We have been doing nothing for too long now. We can no longer get away with merely speaking of doing, we must do. When faced with the overwhelming challenge of riding a bicycle from Chicago to New York, I jumped at the opportunity despite having no background of even exercising regularly. I wanted to show that something as overwhelming as this can be done by deciding to do it, planning accordingly and then executing the plan. If I can do it, anyone can and that message has no boundaries. It doesn't matter if you're riding your bike across the country or dream of other big dreams. If you can dream it, you can do it.

Valerie