eloquently posted
And you said, I'm so grateful for my experiences.
And the path it has led me down.
How have you gotten to that really inc
When I go back and almost like reverse my story and look at the different paths
it's taken me, and then I try to imagine
what my life would have been had I never be
I just feel like chances are I wouldn't
have met my husband, which meant I wouldn't have the children that I
I wouldn't be involved in something in this work, in this cause
of anti-sexual exploitation that I feel so incredibly passionate a
If although I'd never want to repeat it, I'm not sorry
it happened to me because I wouldn't have this life o
You know, your Instagram bio
acknowledges yourself as a
I'm curious to know motherhood.
How has that most changed your life?
I had no idea how hard it was going
I mean, I came from a large family.
I was always like, okay, I've got th
And then I had my own kids and I'm like. I don#t go
I love you more than anything, but I'm so tired.
We have a new student in the class.
Please welcome Elizabeth Thomas.
Now Elizabeth Smart is executive producing the new Lifeti
#Abducted by My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story.# Thomas was
only 15 years old when she was kidnapped by a respected teacher in the community.
After a month long nationwide search,
they were found and Elizabeth was returned
Smart is also executive producing a documentary on Thomas's en
In what ways did you connect with her?
Although our stories are differ
I mean, her story had national attention.
Tad Cummins arrested in Northern California and Elizabeth Thomas safe.
My story had national attention.
Elizabeth Smart is apparently alive.
And she's told me how people have reacted to her in her community.
And it has they haven't always been positive,
which to me is is heartbreaking because for the vast major
I have always had so much support and I haven't been doubted.
Whereas Elizabeth Thomas, you know, she has been accused of seducing her teacher.
That is so unfair for her.
And of course, Elizabeth's mission
now is to prevent these horrible
What's one easy tip that you would give to parents to keep their kids safe?
I'd say talk to them to talk to them.
Help them to know that they can come and tell you anything
and that you aren't going to overreact.
Welcome. Elizabeth Thomas.
Tell me a little bit about what stood out about El
What made you feel like this was one that you wanted to share?
Well, I remember when it happened.
I mean, I remember watching it
I remember watching when she was rescued.
Tad Cummins arrested in northern Cali
safe.
I re
triggered what it was like when I was rescued.
And I remember just kind of almost reliving
what I experienced and just kind of thinking about what she was going through.
And then a couple of years ago, our paths crossed and she
started talking to me, doing some kind of project like this.
And I was like, well, like I've I've done this before.
Like, if you want to do it with me
because I feel like
I have bee
that have been portrayed about me and I've been like, that's, that's not right.
That accurate. That's not accurate.
And I never want any other su
And so she has been a huge voice over this whole project.
I see myself fighting for other victims
and being a support person.
You also paired it with the documentary.
Why was that important to do?
I think it was a very empoweri
to sit down and talk about what happened in her own words
and really being able to dive a little bit deeper into grooming.
She was vulnerable when she first entered this situation.
The teacher who was alerted to her vulnerability
exploited that vulnerability.
And it was almost a classic case of grooming where it was just
initially so innocent, just befriending.
And then it just grew and grew and grew until eventually he ki
Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
I want to help other people get where I am in, you know, my healing j
and not have those daily triggers, daily panic attacks.
She wanted other survivors or other victims to know that they're not alone
and that you can move forward and you can overcome.
Has Elizabeth seen it?
So she actually like me,
she can't just sit and watch it from beginning to end.
And I felt the same way with with my movie.
With my documentary.
I mean, I said it
I mean, it was so accurate that it was terrible.
And I think I could say Elizabeth Thomas felt the same way.