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• 1 2021-06-06T17:50:27-04:00 Moving forward 10 Page: this is the last page in the path on the public response to the exhibit. plain 2022-05-02T18:23:00-04:00 Andrea González; Sarah York-Bertram

  Healing Takes Time
  Healing from trauma is a non-linear process that differs in time and in experiences for each survivor. There is no "one-size fits all" approach to healing. Several questions from the Uganda National Museum discussion asked about Acan’s and Amony’s ability to move on from the past and how they have reconciled and talked about what happened with their family and children. It is important to acknowledge how these questions, and the responses, emphasize that healing takes time and that writing about their experiences helps process what they went through.

  “I wish you should continue to encourage these affected war victims so that they forget the past and look forward for new development and change their lives.” (Consy Ogwul, Grace Acan's mother, Kampala, 2019)

  With Acan's and Amony's families present at events in Uganda, and with their families' inclusion in the exhibit, audiences were able to see the importance of supportive family systems in survivors' healing.
   
  "Accept Reality"
  Audiences acknowledge the strength it takes for survivors to move forward. Acknowledging what happened, and accepting these events, are not only important for healing but also for recognizing survivors’ agency. One person drew links between surviving war and being HIV+. According to this person, accepting that one is HIV+ is a lot like accepting that one is a survivor of war and lives with its impacts. By accepting that it is a part of reality, survivors can move toward further self-determination.   

  “I think one of the methods we can use is to accept reality. Accept what happened. You’re not going to change anything about it. It is you. It’s like, being a victim of war is like having HIV. When you go to the hospital they tell you to accept you are positive. So even if you are a victim, the best thing is to accept that this is me. And no one in the world is going to determine me, I’m going to determine me. No matter what happens.” 

  Partnership
  Through the exhibit and its associated events, a diverse audience becomes partners with Acan and Amony, as well as those they represent, in their journeys toward healing, justice and reparations.
  
  As Acan stated at the CMHR panel,

  “I'd like to thank each one of you for taking your time to come listen to our stories, and actually understand what really took place in Northern Uganda years ago, about 20 years ago. There is a saying that a problem shared is a problem half solved” (Acan, CMHR launch, 2019).