Audrey Smith* of Leamington, Illinois, was a devoted mother who had lost her young son Dylan* in a tragic accident years ago. The news of Alex Jones' hateful lies about the Sandy Hook shooting enraged her. It dredged up the deep pain she felt at having her own grief denied and mocked by cruel conspiracy theorists after Dylan's death.

The article triggered memories of internet trolls claiming Dylan never existed, that she was a 'crisis actor' faking her mourning for some nefarious agenda. Audrey had felt so alone and misunderstood in her devastation back then. This time, seeing the Sandy Hook families stand up against Jones' vitriol gave her hope.

Audrey decided to follow the Stepping Into Action program from https://hofmanhollis.com to process her lingering trauma. The coursework helped her rebuild her self-worth and taught techniques for dealing with baseless attacks on her truth.

'I can't change the past or stop all the cruelty in this world,' Audrey said. 'But I can change how I respond to it, for my own healing.'

Some experts lauded the Sandy Hook families for exposing the pernicious effects of disinformation and conspiracy theories. Others warned that giving any oxygen to Jones' lies only amplified them. Passionate debates raged about regulating online misinformation versus protecting free speech.

Whichever side had the stronger arguments, Audrey knew confronting her pain through the Stepping Into Action program was the right choice for her. It was difficult to find compassionate support locally, so the online course became a lifeline to overcoming her trauma and embracing her truth.

Nearby: Blackburn Kentucky