About Christi – Continued

I currently live in New Jersey with my husband and our three Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers.  Dogs have always played an important part of my life. My first Toller, Turner, was my service dog who warned me of oncoming panic attacks and flashbacks and provided deep pressure by laying on me to calm my nervous system. Turner is no longer with me, but the other remaining dogs keep me busy.  I spend my days training and competing with my dogs, (Dock Diving, Obedience, Agility, and Hunting-Retrieving).

 At the age of 70, I’ve embraced a new chapter and have had to redefine myself.  I’ve built a brand that reflects my story, symbolized by my unique logo—a teardrop containing my initials with a vine wrapping around it.  On the day of the explosion, I wore a ruby teardrop necklace that became a symbol of my strength and life. Though I eventually lost that necklace, I found a similar one in 2024, with a pink tourmaline, symbolizing my renewed strength and resilience. The winding stem and leaves of the plant represent life’s fragility, beauty and protection.  After the explosion, I found myself on the floor beneath a large potted plant, which shielded me from debris falling from the ceiling. My initials, CJS, mark the recovery of my identity: a journey from my old self, Jane, to the resilient Christi I am today.

I started writing my memoir in 2018, after a suggestion from a psychologist. The initial goal of my writing was to help me attain closure by piecing together information so that my life made sense to me. Because I had post traumatic amnesia, I did not remember many details of my life after the bombing until 2015, when I had EMDR.  I kept daily journals for many years, which I used to guide my content for my book. As my writing progressed, I realized that other people might benefit from my story and decided to share my experience and insights from living with PTSD for almost 50 years.

I’m passionate about offering hope to other trauma survivors, fostering empathy, support, and healing. I’m an advocate for necessary services and funding for trauma survivors, dedicated to helping others find their way as I have found mine. My professional knowledge and my personal experience have provided me with a blend of skills and insights that I now share with others. I am  available for public speaking events. Topics include the long-term effects of trauma from violent crimes, strategies for living with post traumatic amnesia, and strategies to get through the day with PTSD.