This week I was asked by TAC (Transport Accident Commission – Victoria) if I would be interested in talking about being a mother who has lost a son to road trauma and about what was it is like to be without him on mother’s day. To also talk about my road safety message to the wider community. Please find here above the short TAC film titled ‘Karen’s Story’ produced and used as a road safety message for Mother’s Day 2017.
Whilst you are here – please check outmy home page! Post-traumatic Growth – My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy and storytelling…by Karen Robinson
-37.813628144.963058
Please share this with family, friends, workmates and interested community groups - thank you:
Within this photo above, there is a photo of my son Ben and me – his mum. It was taken three weeks before his death and it was the last time I saw him alive. Ben was killed in a single vehicle car crash on 5th November 2009 at the age of 25. There is also the folder I take with me when I do a Road Trauma Awareness Volunteer Speaking role – talking about my son’s road trauma and the events leading up to his death. Our loving son Ben is greatly missed by us his family and his friends. In memory of our beautiful boy – Ben…love you forever son…mum
INTRODUCTION
Recently, myself along side of three other Road Trauma Support Services (RTSSV) Volunteer Speakers – participated in the making of a short film about RTSSV’s counselling and support services (see below). Caroline and Ryan from Rybazoid interviewed each of us, asking a series of questions in relation to our family’s road trauma stories. Once more, I found myself talking about the loss of my son, Ben, who had been killed in a single vehicle car crash on the 5th November 2009 at the age of 25; and talking about the incredible support services available at RTSSV.
ABOUT ROAD TRAUMA SUPPORT SERVICES VICTORIA
Road Trauma Support Services Victoria – Australia “is a not-for-profit organisation working to reduce the incidence and impact of road trauma (RTSSV 2017)”.
Counselling: “Counselling is provided to anyone impacted by road trauma, including bereaved families, friends and colleagues; injured people and their carers; drivers and passengers; witnesses and emergency service workers who are first-on-scene. A referral to access the services is not needed, just call 1300 367 797 to make an appointment with one of the RTSSV’s counsellors (RTSSV 2017)”.
Education: “RTSSV’s education programs reach more than 2,000 people each year and are supported by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and Victoria Police (RTSSV 2017)”.
RTSSV is “committed to educating the community and raising public awareness about road trauma and how it affects people’s lives. A vital part of this educational work is delivered by our volunteers who share their personal stories about road trauma (RTSSV 2017)”.
SHORT FILM ABOUT RTSSV COUNSELLING & SUPPORT SERVICES
Published on Apr 19, 2017 – A short film about Road Trauma Support Services Victoria Counselling and Support Services – a Rybazoid production. It features a number of Volunteer Speakers sharing their personal road trauma stories inclusive of myself.
CONCLUSION
To those who contributed to the short film, thank you – you are brave, strong and resilient…
To those who carefully crafted the questions and the production of this short film, thank you – your kindness and sensitivity was greatly appreciated…
To those who asked us to come together and share our deeply personal road trauma stories for this important message and who offered the right amount of caring support, thank you – your time and support didn’t go unnoticed…
To the organization of Road Trauma Support Services and all of its incredible team of people, thank you – my family will not forget what you have been able to do for us in our time of greatest need…
With all my heartfelt gratitude, thank you…Karen Robinson
“In memory of Ben James Robinson”
Ben James Robinson, son of Mark and Karen Robinson, brother of Kelly, loved and missed by many… NB All images are protected by copyright laws
Karen Robinson at Home Art Studio holding book titled ‘Abnormal Psychology’ featuring on the front cover her original painting titled ‘For Ones’ Well-being’ March 2017 http://www.idoartkarenrobinson.com NB: All images are copyright protected
INTRODUCTION
During mid 2016 I received an email from Gail Buschman, Senior Graphic Designer of Sage Publishing, an international academic publisher based in Thousand Oaks, California. They were interested in using one of my images ‘Abstract Painting No. 64 – Titled ‘For One’s Well-being‘ on the cover of a forthcoming textbook; and the Second Edition of William J Ray’s ‘Abnormal Psychology‘ – Pennsylvania State University. They asked if I would be interested in licensing it to them for book publishing, specifically for print and electronic book cover and website landing page header, circulation 20,000, geography – world rights, duration 7 year license/usage from publication date, exposure 1 language, inclusive of a credit line on the back cover. After some discussions with family and friends, and after becoming a member with Copyright Agency/Viscopy – I agreed.
“In Abnormal Psychology: Perspectives on Human Behavior and Experience Second Edition, William J. Ray brings together current perspectives concerning the manner in which the human mind, behavior, and experience can be understood. In addition to the traditional psychological literature, this book draws from work in the cognitive and affective neurosciences, epidemiology, ethology, and genetics. Ray’s focus is on a unification and integration of the biopsychosocial understandings of human behavior within a broader consideration of human culture and language as it applies to abnormal psychology (Amazon 2017)”
THE PAINTING
Abstract Painting No. 64 Titled ‘For One’s Well-being’ Painting by Abstract Painter Karen Robinson Feb 2016 http://www.idoartkarenrobinson.com NB All images are protected by copyright laws
For the sake of my own well-being, I have found over a course of time, that being part of community groups such as these organisations, has truly helped me gain a better sense of well-being. Within the comfort and security of such organisations, I have witnessed how people have been empowered to voice their feelings, share, reveal, support, encourage each other during times of great difficulty alongside of professional support systems. I have also witnessed how when participants choose to come and join such organisations, they grow strong and more-able to deal with day-to-day difficulties; and I am one of those people.
My painting reflects an image of myself in the foreground, with my support networks in the background. They come from all walks of life; they are family, friends, work mates and community group members whom have been an integral part of my life over recent years, and all have contributed to my ability to reach a healthy mindset. Hence varying colours of difference; and colours with commonality. I couldn’t have got to this place where I am now without their support and this painting is a tribute to them all.”
It was pleasing to have this particular artwork of mine used in such a way. Hopefully this usage will also convey the painting’s story and help contribute to the knowledge base of students and teachers using ‘Abnormal Psychology’ as a learning tool…
“Ben was killed in a single vehicle car crash on the 5th November, 2009. He was driving at 140 kilometers per hour, had 0.08 Blood-Alcohol-Content, hit a kangaroo, lost control of his vehicle and crashed into two trees at approximately 1am in the night. He was discovered dead by his motor vehicle by a fellow workmate a couple of hours after his death. Ben was aged 25 and died three weeks before his 26th birthday. Ben was a beautiful, loving young man but had a history of driving offenses that meant as his mother I feared the worst might happen, and it did. In memory of our dear son Ben, we wish you were still here with us today, you are missed by us all – everyday. All our love son….mum xxx”. Written by Karen Robinson NB: All images and written content is copyright protected..JPG
INTRODUCTION
This week I was asked by ABC 774 if I would like to do an interview with them about road safety and road trauma. To talk about the work that I myself and so many other people at Road Trauma Support Services do every day – in the hope that these efforts will save lives and reduce serious injury caused by road trauma. The interview was directly in response to a dreadful car crash that had occurred just this week where a 15-year-old boy had been killed, two young girls critically injured and two others injured in a single car crash. This below is the interview sound cloud produced by TAC Victoria with Raf Epstein – DRIVE Program ABC 774 featuring myself as the interviewee.
USING CREATIVE WRITING AS THERAPY
It is never easy talking about road safety and road trauma, especially when it directly relates to my son, about his sudden and tragic death caused by road trauma on the 5th November 2009. Just before speaking with Raf Epstein I found myself pensive, and during the interview itself, I found my voice quivering uncontrollably. Afterwards, that night I couldn’t sleep. Based on these reactions I was experiencing – I decided to attend my scheduled Creative Writing Session with Judy Bird our facilitator. This group of people whom have become friends over the years is where I shared aProse Poem I wrote that very morning about how I was feeling about my radio interview experience. I was very comforted by the fact that all understood that at anytime I publicly talk about my son Ben and my family’s road trauma story – there is a price that is exacted. I feel my prose poem as shown here below does help to convey that fact. I am also conscious of the fact that many other parents that have experienced the loss a child through road trauma would possibly have similar feelings, thoughts and emotions.
Whilst you are here – please check outmy home page! Post-traumatic Growth – My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy and storytelling…by Karen Robinson
Please share this with family, friends, workmates and interested community groups - thank you:
This week I was asked by ABC 774 if I would like to do an interview with them about road safety and road trauma. To talk about the work that I myself and so many other people at Road Trauma Support Services do every day – in the hope that these efforts will save lives and reduce serious injury caused by road trauma. The interview was directly in response to a dreadful car crash that had occurred just this week where a 15-year-old boy had been killed, two young girls critically injured and two others injured in a single car crash. This above is the interview sound cloud produced by TAC Victoria with Raf Epstein – DRIVE Program ABC 774 featuring myself as the interviewee.
Whilst you are here – please check outmy home page! Post-traumatic Growth – My Art Therapy Journey – A window into the soul of an Abstract Artist through art therapy and storytelling…by Karen Robinson
-37.813628144.963058
Please share this with family, friends, workmates and interested community groups - thank you:
ido art karen robinson 