Discrimination against abuse survivor is very real (TW)
Krystal
State: Wisconsin
Congressional District: WI06
Diseases
Mental Health, Migraine
Issues and Challenges
Krystal has encountered: Medicare / Medicaid Issues, Medical Records Access, Mental Health Access, Transportation, Abuse (Mental, Physical, Elder), Addiction / Substance Abuse, Disability, Discrimination (nonmedical), Financial Assistance, Food Insecurity, Gaslighting, Housing, Invisible Illness, Legal, Social Security Disability, Suicide / Self-harm
My Story
TW:
My name is Krystal Johnson and I've just started my advocacy journey. I'm a domestic violence and sexual assault survivor. I have published a few poems and participate in many writing groups across Wisconsin. I volunteer through the AARP to teach children how to read. My experiences have taught me words are important, but advocacy has taught me how to channel my words into not only helping others, but to make a difference, especially for those with invisible illnesses.
I come from a family that had generations of untreated abuse, mental illnesses, and trauma. Growing up, I had difficulties with vocalizing my words due to abuse and anxiety. I was forced to rely on written communication to help me communicate. During the hardest times of my life, I was suicidal and did self-harm. I have been in intense therapy for ten years and now feel ready to tell my story.
My interest in advocacy began about the same time I began therapy. I was 15 to 22 when I was brutally assaulted. I was forced to flee everything I knew to escape. When I was 25, I came forward with what happened to me; it ended up being combined with another case. The DA of our case told me that I wasn't acting like a typical victim because I was composed, apparently too intelligent, and refused to comply with their demand of appearing as the "stereotypical victim". I was being told that I misunderstood contexts when it came to questioning their motive, due to my mental disabilities. The perpetrator of the crime was becoming more aggressive and began to stalk me. At the same time, the court was allowing him my medical records. Nothing was being done after I reported this behavior multiple times, so I fled and became homeless in another county. It was at the domestic violence shelter I learned that I didn't receive information about my rights. I succeeded in obtaining a restraining order and I fought to not allow my rapist my medical records. Since it was combined, the case went to the supreme court, and our medical records weren't released. In September 2024, the perpetrator admitted to guilt and took a plea deal.
During these times, I was told that I could just get over my disabilities and that I was being lazy for being unable to work, due to being young. These words stung; I've been declared permanently disabled- I lost what I was able to do, due to the severity I experienced. It was during a poetry workshop for survivors that I discovered that this was more common than I realized. I made a vow that I was going to dedicate my life to bringing awareness to mental health, that people need to understand the struggles, and how we can work together to improve society.
My Motivation and Inspiration
I've just started my advocacy journey. I've decided to advocate for individuals with mental illnesses and spread awareness for mental health. My main goal is to promote mental illness education and eventually coach people with these disabilities to learn how to connect with their community. Currently, I'm receiving coaching education through Hope and Strength Coaching.
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