This presentation was created for, and given, at Ignite Portland in February 2008. Presenters had 5 minutes (15 slides, 20 seconds per slide) to share their topic with over 750 members of the audience. Mine was the only presentation that day that was focused on a rather serious issue - overcoming personal trauma to create a life by design rather than one of survival and status quo. To see the video of the presentation that accompanies this slide show, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM6qECYlE9I. PRESENTATION INTRO In 1965 I was sexually abused by my father – I was 5. In 1973 I was held hostage by the American Indian Movement in my home at Wounded Knee – I was 12. These two events showed me the process and course of violence, and its debilitating results. Unlike my oppressors/abusers in these two situations, I chose a different pathway - love - and the tool I use to infect others with it is art. This presentation and the accompanying video is one telling of that tale.

1. Living a Made Up Life, and
Getting Away With It!
Presented by: Adrienne Fritze
Mom – artist – social entrepreneur – community activist

2. The Inherited Script

3. When I was 5,
my dad
risked my
life…
When I was 12,
AIM risked
my life…
And then
later, I
risked my
own…

4. I Was Playing a Role
That Bound Me…
…a Role in Which I Questioned
Everything – Even My Right to be Alive

5. Who am I?

6. What am I worth?

7. Could I love anyone?
Could anyone love me?

8. My answers were
heartbreaking.
I thought I was…
… a victim and a martyr
… worthless and broken
… unlovable and
potentially dangerous

9. The cost of following a similar
script as my father, was
enormous.
I saw I had a choice.
Follow their storyline, or
write my own.

10. The vision for my existence
is rooted in the challenges
of my childhood…

11. no
n- re-
I knew I had to write
a new interpretation
of my life – and the
only way I could do
that, was to be with
how my life already
was and had been…

12. I
gave myself
permission
to recognize
what matters
to me
Truth
Beauty
Freedom
Love
And I
gave myself
permission
to CREATE.

13. I changed my surroundings
so that they embodied my vision

14. Including
my friends

15. The Changes Felt Good

16. I Shared the Changes

17. Sharing Saved My Life, While it made a
difference in the Lives of Others

18. All is as it should be. I love,
I am loved, I am a conduit
for love. I walk with
extraordinary companions, and
will until the end of my days.

19. And I believe, if I can do this,
you can too.
You have a choice.
Inherit a script,
or write your own.

20. Want to know more?
Come find me
or visit
www.adriennefritze.com