BIO FOR KIM LOWE, RN, SCHOOL NURSE, PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE
I am originally from Natchitoches, Louisiana. I moved to Utah when I was 14 years old. From the time that I was 4 years old, I knew that I wanted to be a nurse more than anything in the world! I loved to help people feel better from a very young age!
I graduated from nursing school at Brigham Young University. Over the last 40 years, I have worked in several areas of nursing: orthopedics, medical/surgical, outpatient surgery, diabetes education, and my latest and greatest: public health and school nursing for the last 17 years!
I have learned over the years that every area of nursing I have worked has given me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of my patients and those that I serve.
However, for the last 17 years I have realized that public health nursing which has included school nursing, has given me the most significant opportunity to not only make a difference in the lives of children, but also their families.
One of the most important lessons I have learned as a public health nurse is that “although a child’s family dynamics may appear normal from the surface, it does not mean that all is well!” “Abuse” rears its ugly head in many different forms.
“Abuse” is not a respecter of socioeconomic status or choice of religion.
“Abuse” can and does happen to anyone! No one has a lifetime immunity to abuse.
As I have reflected upon my own life, I can admit that I came from an abusive home environment as a child. My grandparents and their home became my “safe harbor.”
During my adult years I have also at times endured different forms of abuse. Most recently, two of my adult daughters have come forward with abuse that happened to them many years ago. Some of my grandchildren have also been abused and the dynamics of our family will never again be the same as a result!
We all know that our laws need to change so that harsher punishments will be imposed upon the perpetrators. This change of law is a very slow but vitally important process!
I believe with all of my heart that one day our laws will change.
But the way they are going to change is for more survivors to come forward and report their abuse and tell their stories.
It takes courage to speak. It takes courage to be a survivor.
With many voices speaking together, with all of us standing together in strength, our message will be heard!!
This atrocious generational cycle of different forms of abuse must stop!!!
Stand strong together and be “SILENT NO MORE!”
