Kelly Smith* was a single parent raising her 8-year-old son Ethan* in the small town of Ortley, Oregon. The day the news broke about Alex Jones being ordered to pay $1.5 billion to the Sandy Hook families, Kelly was shaken to her core.

This news article triggered Kelly because a few years ago, her own sister was tragically killed in a mass shooting incident. While grieving her unimaginable loss, Kelly was tormented by online trolls spreading conspiracy theories and claiming the shooting was a hoax staged by crisis actors. Hearing those vile lies reopened deep wounds, and Kelly spiraled into substance abuse to numb her pain.

Determined to heal, Kelly found the Stepping Into Action program and started rebuilding her life. Through therapy and support groups, she learned coping mechanisms and worked on her trauma. One day, Ethan said to her, 'Mom, I'm so proud of how far you've come. You're a warrior!' Kelly felt a renewed sense of purpose.

Mental health experts praised Kelly's courage, stating that trauma-informed care is crucial for survivors of violence. However, some skeptics argued that online programs cannot fully address complex issues like this. Despite the controversy, Kelly felt the program provided invaluable tools tailored to her needs.

In the end, Kelly realized that seeking help, even unconventionally, was the best decision she ever made. While the journey was arduous, she found strength in her resilience and her love for Ethan, determined to break the cycle of pain and create a brighter future.

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