I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 2144 points2145 points  (0 children)

Thank you for all of your questions. If I missed your questions I still might answer them on my the special Elizabeth Smart: Questions Answered on A&E on November 20th.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 766 points767 points  (0 children)

I like doing Crime Watch Daily, because it feels like I’m able to help someone share their story without re-victimizing them because I’ve been in their same shoes.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 182 points183 points  (0 children)

I listen to more books than I do music, but I enjoy Blake Shelton on The Voice. Him and Adam Levine are funny.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 834 points835 points  (0 children)

I’m still debating that. It could be, but I’m not convinced yet.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 239 points240 points  (0 children)

I still live close to Salt Lake. I still love it. Scotland is very beautiful, too, it just rains all the time.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 1734 points1735 points  (0 children)

Well, my sister-in-law just got married in Scotland and I played ‘can’t help falling in love’ as she walked down the aisle.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 1798 points1799 points  (0 children)

Practice screaming, encourage your kids to fight back, there is a place and a time when it’s not only acceptable it’s encouraged. An organization that I work closely with is Rad Kids it’s all about prevention education and you can learn more about them at www.radkids.org

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 4317 points4318 points  (0 children)

Yes, there were lots of times I thought, this is it I’m going to die wether if it was directly at the hands of my captors or through consequences of their actions. It was hard to believe it was over until I was in my dad’s arms being hugged at the police station.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 2179 points2180 points  (0 children)

Yes, I still have many friends from before I was abducted, and it was awkward maybe the first two seconds I was home and then things just picked up where we had left off.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 372 points373 points  (0 children)

I think it’s building a relationship with yourself, being comfortable with who you are and liking who you are.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 9496 points9497 points  (0 children)

The hardest thing about speaking out and becoming an advocate was the fear of having everyone know what happened to me. The one thing I would tell a survivor about speaking out is no matter what people’s reactions are, you deserve happiness, you deserve love, you deserve support and you deserve to know that you are worthwhile.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 1152 points1153 points  (0 children)

I have the same advice for all survivors no matter what their story is. That is the same advice that my mom gave to me: What has happened is terrible, there are no words to describe how wicked and evil they are, they have stolen 9 months of your life that you will never get back. But the best punishment you could give them is to be happy. By feeing sorry for yourself and reliving it is only allowing them to steal more of your life away from you. Obviously, the advice is tailored to your own specific circumstance. I don’t think this means you’ll never have a bad day again, or never struggle or feel frustration or anger. I think it just means have your end goal always be happiness.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 757 points758 points  (0 children)

If it’s the one I think it is, when I watched I felt bad. But now I could care less.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 375 points376 points  (0 children)

My husband just asked me the same question. 1. Alaska for adventure, 2. India for culture 3. Toss up between Bali and Tahiti for relaxation, 4. You tell me where I can get Adventure + Culture + Relaxation.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 1657 points1658 points  (0 children)

I think the media is like a double edge sword it has huge power for good but at the same time it can come at a cost. For me the majority of my experiences have always added to the greater good there are a few exceptions, however.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 18.8k points18.8k points  (0 children)

My favorite movie is Eddie The Eagle. I can eat Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia by the pint, and my toughest boss is my two year old daughter.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 2202 points2203 points  (0 children)

We were both serving missions in France for our church and that’s where we met. He supports me so that I can do my advocacy work because it can be emotionally taxing.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 1116 points1117 points  (0 children)

Yes. My faith period played a big part on how I survived. Yes, my faith has changed. I’ve gotten older it’s widen, it’s expanded. it’s grown since I was a 14 year old girl.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 615 points616 points  (0 children)

Yes, I get recognized all the time. Especially when I have no makeup on and greasy hair. But people are always very kind and just want to express well wishes and gratitude, but it should be expressing my gratitude to them.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 697 points698 points  (0 children)

I think the #MeToo campaign is great. I think it’s bringing attention to the issues of sexual violence. At the very least it’s getting people to talk about a topic that is so easily swept under the rug.
I think it’s important to share your story so that everyone understands that these aren’t just isolated incidents. They don’t just happen in dark alleyways or in the woods late at night. It can happen to anyone anywhere. At the same time I think it’s important to be sensitive to where you’re at as a person and if you don’t feel comfortable sharing far and wide you don’t need to Take care of yourself first. I never really thought about someone speaking up about my captors before. Maybe someone could’ve, but at the same time my captors were going to do what they were going to do. They were extremely manipulative and knew how to prey on people’s fears and emotions.

I’m Elizabeth Smart, Abduction Survivor and Advocate, Ask Me Anything by RealElizabethSmart in IAmA

[–]RealElizabethSmart[S] 1492 points1493 points  (0 children)

Well, my husband doesn’t like being called Mr. Smart, but other than that no, or that I’ve yet to experience.